--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I try taking a step. Reed drops my hands…" description: "\"“I try taking a step. Reed drops my hands so that I can move freely. My knee is a bit stiff, but otherwise, it feels fine. Examining the surface of my ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/amy-a-bartol-5771_fake-smile_i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands_2942404.jpg" --- # I try taking a step. Reed drops my hands so that I can… ![“I try taking a step. Reed drops my hands so that I can move freely. My knee is a bit stiff, but otherwise, it feels fine. Examining the surface of my knee, I see a slight discoloration over the kneecap, but other than that, it’s nearly as good as new. Feeling myself panicking I cover my hands over…” quote by Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/amy-a-bartol-5771_fake-smile_i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands_2942404.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/amy-a-bartol-5771_fake-smile_i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands_2942404.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/amy-a-bartol-5771_fake-smile_i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands_2942404.jpg) > ““I try taking a step. Reed drops my hands so that I can move freely. My knee is a bit stiff, but otherwise, it feels fine. Examining the surface of my knee, I see a slight discoloration over the kneecap, but other than that, it’s nearly as good as new. Feeling myself panicking I cover my hands over my face as I think, I’m a monster! Don’t fall apart here—you can fall apart later… Plastering a fake smile on my face, I bring my hands down to see Reed standing just a few feet away, watching me closely. I try to think of something offhand to say, but all I can come up with is, “Amazing…I can’t wait until that third eye grows out of my forehead.”” [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator describes a painful physical and emotional moment, using vivid imagery to convey vulnerability, fear, and the attempt to mask distress with a smile. **In simple terms:** Pain and fear hidden behind a forced smile Key Takeaway Acknowledge vulnerability and seek genuine support Themes pain vulnerability self‑masking Mood anxious introspective Type personal psychological When to use this quote - medical examination - therapy session - personal crisis Key Concepts psychology body awareness coping mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - How do you truly express fear without masking it? - What healthier ways can replace the “fake smile” in crisis? A Different Perspective The narrative may romanticize self‑destruction as a coping strategy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fake smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fake-smile/) [Fall apart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall-apart/) [Hands Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands-reed-4393715/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Knee Slight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knee-slight-4393713/) [Kneecap Nearly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kneecap-nearly-4393714/) [Reed Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reed-standing-4393711/) [Smile on my face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile-on-my-face/) [Step Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/step-reed-4393712/) [Third eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/third-eye/) ## Related quotes > [“My best work is not behind me! He yells, You know, "nobody does a better split-reed standing anal with an on-demand hands-free pop-shot release.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/my-best-work-is-not-behind-me-he-yells-you-know-nobody-does-a-better/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Examples of fractals are everywhere in nature. They can be found in the patterns of trees, branches, and ferns, in which each part appears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/examples-of-fractals-are-everywhere-in-nature-they-can-be-found-in/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“True Love is when you are able to see yourself in another, when you recognize that there is no separation between you and any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/true-love-is-when-you-are-able-to-see-yourself-in-another-when-you/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“The world exists because your mind exists. If your mind didn’t exist, there would be no world. As you look at these words, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/the-world-exists-because-your-mind-exists-if-your-mind-didn-t-exist/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“Have you ever had a dream that you were certain was real, only to wake up and realize that everyone and everything in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/have-you-ever-had-a-dream-that-you-were-certain-was-real-only-to-wake/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Some people would say Counting Crows or Third Eye Blind would be a guilty pleasure, but they're two of my favorite bands - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-ross/some-people-would-say-counting-crows-or-third-eye-blind-would-be-a/) [Ryan Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-ross/) > [When looking through the spiritual eye, or the third eye encased within the human mind, one can see vividly beyond the ken of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-coltrane/when-looking-through-the-spiritual-eye-or-the-third-eye-encased/) [Alice Coltrane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-coltrane/) > [“You, Doctor Martin, walk from breakfast to madness. Late August, I speed through the antiseptic tunnel where the moving dead still talk of pushing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/you-doctor-martin-walk-from-breakfast-to-madness-late-august-i-speed/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [“The two pillars of Freemasonry are Osirian in origin and none of them corresponds with the Sun; and yes, Freemasonry mistook one of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibrahim-ibrahim/the-two-pillars-of-freemasonry-are-osirian-in-origin-and-none-of-them/) [Ibrahim Ibrahim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibrahim-ibrahim/) > [“Buddhist philosophy points out that the true nature of all forms is essentially formless. Forms do not have an existence of their own, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/buddhist-philosophy-points-out-that-the-true-nature-of-all-forms-is/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“According to Zen Buddhists, all things have their existence in The Void. The Void is that which is no-thing, but contains all things within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/according-to-zen-buddhists-all-things-have-their-existence-in-the/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Literature is about telling stories. Now, the gift of literature is that, in some lucky cases, reading a novel or a story makes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-oz/literature-is-about-telling-stories-now-the-gift-of-literature-is/) [Amos Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-oz/) > [“We live in an energy-responsive world where intention radiates throughout. Fundamental to everything is attitude and perception”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohadesa-najumi/we-live-in-an-energy-responsive-world-where-intention-radiates/) [Mohadesa Najumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohadesa-najumi/) > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Many people meditate in order that a third eye may open. For that they feel they should close their two physical eyes. They thereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/many-people-meditate-in-order-that-a-third-eye-may-open-for-that-they/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) ## More by Amy A. Bartol > [“I can't figure out what's wrong with her feet! -Nothing's wrong with my feet! -They are an alluring shade of pink. -Jax, that's nail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/i-can-t-figure-out-what-s-wrong-with-her-feet-nothing-s-wrong-with-my/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Reason doesn't always stand up to pain and come out the victor. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/reason-doesn-t-always-stand-up-to-pain-and-come-out-the-victor/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Whatever it is that’s making you cry, look away from it. It doesn’t have you. I do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/whatever-it-is-that-s-making-you-cry-look-away-from-it-it-doesn-t/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Reed's blood is now mixed with mine, so that he is always with me, no matter where I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/reed-s-blood-is-now-mixed-with-mine-so-that-he-is-always-with-me-no/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“security…” he trails off, picking up my black bikini top that was flung over the lamp. I pluck what’s left of the top out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/security-he-trails-off-picking-up-my-black-bikini-top-that-was-flung/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Reed’s face inches closer to mine on the pillow as he says, “Let me try to explain something to you, Evie. All of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/reed-s-face-inches-closer-to-mine-on-the-pillow-as-he-says-let-me-try/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“If they took you from me, it would be like they concealed my heart from me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/if-they-took-you-from-me-it-would-be-like-they-concealed-my-heart/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Instead of asking yourself how you can change that aspect of you, maybe you should be asking yourself why you were created that way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/instead-of-asking-yourself-how-you-can-change-that-aspect-of-you/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“You have made no secret of the fact that you hate me.” His eyes soften again. “Hate you?” he asks. “Not as much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/you-have-made-no-secret-of-the-fact-that-you-hate-me-his-eyes-soften/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“You’re not her. You’re better. You think for yourself, and you never back down when you believe you’re right. And you’re not perfect, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/you-re-not-her-you-re-better-you-think-for-yourself-and-you-never/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Evie's head is pressed tightly to my chest; I would pull her inside of me and have my heart beat for us both if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/evie-s-head-is-pressed-tightly-to-my-chest-i-would-pull-her-inside-of/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“ask God to bind my life to your life so that my mind will be one with your mind,” I repeat the words Phaedrus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/ask-god-to-bind-my-life-to-your-life-so-that-my-mind-will-be-one-with/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Do I pray for her life or mine? They're one in the same...Be this soul in Thine hands...I stop, unable to pray for her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/do-i-pray-for-her-life-or-mine-they-re-one-in-the-same-be-this-soul/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Reed lifts his lips from mine, and looking into my eyes, he murmurs, “I want those thousand years with you, Evie, you have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/reed-lifts-his-lips-from-mine-and-looking-into-my-eyes-he-murmurs-i/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) > [“Just when you think that maybe Brennus is running' out of crazy, he shows up with a brand new can of it... economy size.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/just-when-you-think-that-maybe-brennus-is-running-out-of-crazy-he/) [Amy A. Bartol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) [Explore all 100 Amy A. Bartol quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/) ## More Fake smile quotes > [Smile so they think you're fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/smile-so-they-think-you-re-fine/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patience/) > [My baby boo<3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-baby-boo-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wearing this mask, you look at my face and see a smile but underneath is sorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristina-fedolfi/wearing-this-mask-you-look-at-my-face-and-see-a-smile-but-underneath/) [Kristina Fedolfi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristina-fedolfi/) > [Don't show them that you are affected.. Instead, show them that you are happy even without them.. To put a sad face on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharlene05/don-t-show-them-that-you-are-affected-instead-show-them-that-you-are/) [Sharlene05](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharlene05/) > [“It's just drinks,” Heather said, lifting the second cocktail up and smiling at the men, too. “It doesn't mean anything else.” I nodded, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-hatvany/it-s-just-drinks-heather-said-lifting-the-second-cocktail-up-and/) [Amy Hatvany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-hatvany/) > [People always ask me how I'm so good at hiding my sorrow and things such, how I manage to cover my frown with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guardian/people-always-ask-me-how-i-m-so-good-at-hiding-my-sorrow-and-things/) [Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guardian/) > [I think a person that experiences a lot of hurt, will become more mature faster than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rehn-williams/i-think-a-person-that-experiences-a-lot-of-hurt-will-become-more/) [Rehn Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rehn-williams/) > [Sometimes you just have to pretend that you are happy just to stop everyone from asking what happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-you-just-have-to-pretend-that-you-are-happy-just-to-stop/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Head up, stay strong. Fake a smile, move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/head-up-stay-strong-fake-a-smile-move-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im gonna smile like nothings wrong , Pretend like everything's alright , act like it's all perfect , even though inside it's really hurt..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra/im-gonna-smile-like-nothings-wrong-pretend-like-everything-s-alright/) [Sandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra/) > [Its funny when I fake a smile and no one actual realize :) :(](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candy/its-funny-when-i-fake-a-smile-and-no-one-actual-realize/) [CANDY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candy/) > [You smile but there is a tears in the eyes.because true smile see in how our eyes looks like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianette-carbito/you-smile-but-there-is-a-tears-in-the-eyes-because-true-smile-see-in/) [Marianette Carbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianette-carbito/) > [Doesn't mean I smile doesn't mean I'm okay, because it takes ONE smile to hide ONE million tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viviana/doesn-t-mean-i-smile-doesn-t-mean-i-m-okay-because-it-takes-one-smile/) [Viviana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viviana/) > [Someday you're going to want her... That girl that wanted to give you everything, the one who tried to give you what you want.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/someday-you-re-going-to-want-her-that-girl-that-wanted-to-give-you/) [Unkown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unkown/) > [“I have perfected the art of the fake smile. Inside your heart may be bruised and black, but outwardly you look bright and happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-vine/i-have-perfected-the-art-of-the-fake-smile-inside-your-heart-may-be/) [Cindy Vine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-vine/) [Browse all 648 Fake smile quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fake-smile/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I try taking a step. Reed drops my hands so that I can move freely. My knee is a bit stiff, but otherwise, it feels fine. Examining the surface of my knee, I see a slight discoloration over the kneecap, but other than that, it’s nearly as good as new. Feeling myself panicking I cover my hands over my face as I think, I’m a monster! Don’t fall apart here—you can fall apart later… Plastering a fake smile on my face, I bring my hands down to see Reed standing just a few feet away, watching me closely. I try to think of something offhand to say, but all I can come up with is, “Amazing…I can’t wait until that third eye grows out of my forehead.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amy A. Bartol" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands-so-that-i-can-move-freely-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fake smile" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands-so-that-i-can-move-freely-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/amy-a-bartol-5771_fake-smile_i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands_2942404.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/amy-a-bartol-5771_fake-smile_i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands_2942404.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/amy-a-bartol-5771_fake-smile_i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands_2942404.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I try taking a step. Reed drops my hands so that I can move freely. My knee is a bit stiff, but otherwise…” — Amy A. Bartol", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amy A. Bartol", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-a-bartol/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I try taking a step. Reed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands-so-that-i-can-move-freely-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-a-bartol/i-try-taking-a-step-reed-drops-my-hands-so-that-i-can-move-freely-my/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```