Tralalero T Stepping onto Gravel

The glass door stood cracked open just wide enough. I eased outside into the yard. Beneath my sneakers, the surface changed completely. Small rounded river pebbles shifted beneath my soles with a dry crunch. I halted, testing my balance on the uneven gray stones. To the left, a shallow ceramic saucer filled with rainwater rested among low moss. I stepped steadily across the stones, leaned my snout over the rim, and watched the water ripple as a gentle morning breeze crossed the surface.