Curious Link

The sidewalk curb dropped sharply toward a deep mulch trench, cutting off the path forward. Beside the concrete edge lay an empty wooden ice cream stick, weathered gray and stiff. I dragged the flat timber across the paving stone, aligned its tip with the rim of a sunken brick border, and pushed it outward over the gap. It bridged the drop with barely an inch to spare on either side. I planted one boot firmly on the center of the wooden slat, testing its flex under my weight. The beam dipped, creaked against the grit, and held firm. I stepped lightly across onto the brickwork.