It sneaks up on me sometimes. Like today. I wasn’t expecting it at all. We were on our way to watch a friend perform. We headed towards the escalator and she suddenly stopped short. I can’t do down there. Can’t we go down the elevator?

What are you talking about? Of course you can go down there.

I can’t go down the escalator. I’m scared. Let’s go down the elevator instead.

Oh no, let’s try the escalator. Come on. I’ll hold your hand. You hold the railing with one hand and hold my hand with the other. We approach the escalator. She stops.

I can’t do it.

Yes you can. Come on, I’ll help you. Let’s try again. We approach the escalator again.

No I can’t. I’m too scared. I’m going down the elevator.

The fear wins once more.