A Leaf for Shade

Pickle tapped twice on my shell, his little nose pointed toward the wide balcony doors. I kicked into our brisk turtle stride, our round feet pattering swiftly across the warm terra-cotta tiles. Beneath the leafy fronds of a potted fern, a flat bamboo saucer sat catching the morning sun. Right beside it lay a broad fallen leaf, crisp and pale green. Pickle leaned way over my brow, giving the leaf an eager nudge with his snout. It skittered across the bamboo slats, propping against the rim like a tiny parasol. We settled down together on the warm wood, enjoying the quiet green shade.