A Breeze and a Dry Leaf

The balcony glass door stood cracked open just wide enough for me to slip through. I paused on the sill, feeling the fresh outdoor air brush past my ears. On the terracotta tiles, a single curled brown leaf was tumbling across the floor. I padded forward slowly and rested one paw gently on its brittle edge to stop its roll. It made a crisp, paper-like rustle under my touch. Tucking myself into the sheltered nook beside a large ceramic planter, I watched the wind stir the edges of the green leaves above, content to let the breeze pass over me.