Under the Black Canopy

I slipped past the heavy front door, drawn by the cool draft. Outside, the sheltered porch was dim and quiet. A large umbrella lay resting open on the dark slate floor, set there to dry. I padded softly across the damp tiles and stepped beneath its wide dome. Up above, raindrops tapped against the stretched cloth... tap, tap... like tiny fingers knocking in the mist. I leaned against the smooth wooden cane, feeling the faint vibrations hum down to the floor.