I have to admit, when I read ‘6 1/2 inches’ I thought of something completely different!

But this is a powerful piece. I really like the line about the step not banishing your demons, but just handing them on to someone else.

Conflicting, because you claim taking the step would give you rest, but then say it would not banish the demons. I guess you have to move back to go forward. :)

i read it as someone deciding not to commit suicide (by stepping off the curb in front of a bus). But i guess it can be interpretted differently.

thanks for all the comments! mark, your conclusion is the one I was going for with this. I really wanted it to juxtapose the simplicity of carrying out a decision like that with the complexities of the things that would lead someone to that point. I don’t know if it did THAT effectively, but that it got the reactions it did means I must have done something right! Thanks again.

Needs some minor edits, have a re-read, just a couple spaces and a couple letters.

I drove a city bus in Seattle. In training, we spent a couple hours being taught how to watch for these people, people who wanted to commit suicide or, if they survive, sue the bus company for hitting them.

It was a disturbing two hours. I don’t consider this story a suicide story, but a what-if musing. I like it.

Edits made! Since he decided NOT to step in front of the bus, I guess you’re right 32^2!

This reminded me in a way of the movie What about Bob? with bill murray and richard dreyfus. Dreyus’ character wrote a book called Baby Steps…take lifes challenges one small step at a time.