She took the stairs.
Not because the elevator was unavailable, it was available, doors open, empty, waiting with the specific patient indifference of a machine that had no investment in anyone's emotional state.
She took the stairs because she needed four flights of descent between the boardroom and her office and she needed them alone.
She walked down slowly. One hand on the rail. Not because she needed the support but because having something solid to hold onto was useful right now.
She had just told a room full of board members and her direct supervisor that she had a four year old daughter with the CEO of the company that owned her firm.
Voluntarily. Deliberately. On a Monday morning.
She reached the third floor landing and stopped.
Pressed her back against the wall and looked a
