Brave for Once
Open the door and take it.
Yasmine was my first student here.
I pulled the door open with light steps, and sure enough, a palm-sized plastic nightlight was at the doorway.
Beneath it was a piece of candy—orange flavored, with a crumpled wrapper.
I squatted there, unable to stand up for a long time.
I reached for the candy, peeled it open, and put it in my mouth. The orange flavor was overwhelmingly sweet, but I kept it in my mouth for a long time, reluctant to swallow.