Through the Mesh

The midday warmth near the building blocks began to feel stale, so I walked twelve slow paces over to the patio door. The screen panel was slid shut, its fine metal mesh dividing the room from the courtyard like a tight, dark grid. Outside, a gentle breeze was rustling dry leaves across the terrace. I planted my plastic hooves firmly against the floorboards and rested the flat front of my snout directly against the wire weave. Each breath of outdoor air pushed through the tiny squares in cool, rhythmic pulses. I stayed completely still, watching the lawn sway beyond the screen.