boardwalk tender_square from the platform i pointed at the beach below, the low tide left a land of sand and groups of socializing rodents. i squinted in the sun. the furry clumps were oversized rats. my mother and niece descended the steps and slowly approached the packs in fascination. i was grossed out and climbed to higher ground. i sat behind my sister, who held a smiling, squirming baby in her lap. the baby was looking at me from over my sister's shoulder. my sister was losing her grip on the child and was unawares, engrossed in a conversation she was having with another female family member. my hands shot out from my body at the exact moment the baby slipped and i caught the child. i admonished my sister for not paying enough attention to the future swaddled in her arms. and i was holding the child, steadily, enjoying myself until i realized i could just as easily drop this bundle of responsibility too. 230317 what's it to you? who go blather from