The sun burned, blinding those who dared to look up. Inside, the fans whirred, trying to cool the apartment down; but they succeeded only in stirring up the hot sticky air. I couldn't wait to get outside.

"Be still, Korshed. How can I possibly comb your hair when you're jumping around like a rabbit."

"But Mummy, I want to go outside."

"Not until your hair is combed and remember what Mummy told you?"

"Yes, I’m not to let go of your hand or go near strange men without your permission. Are you finished yet?"

"Yes."

I squiggled off my chair and ran to the door, but Daddy grabbed my arm. I made a face at him, but he only grinned back, and he didn’t let go.

"Don’t you have her harness?"

"No, I seem to have misplaced it. We'll just have to keep a sharp eye on her; for some reason she's full of beans today."

"Can we go, Mummy?"

My parents finally responded, and we finally got to leave the stuffy apartment. Each of my hands in theirs, I pulled them along the corridor, down the concrete steps, and into the blazing sun. Crowds of people covered the front lawn of the apartment building, chatting and laughing carelessly; nobody wanted to miss the fair.