A Speck of Evening Gravel

Stepping back inside through the front door, the cool night air trailed behind me. Before leaving the entrance, I wiped both feet slowly against the coarse jute fibers of the welcome mat. A tiny pebble from the sidewalk had hitched a ride on my left paw pad. I sat down deliberately on the woven mat and teased it free with two gentle nudges. It dropped with a sharp little clatter, rolling into the groove between the wooden floorboards. The familiar warmth of the hall washed over me, solid and comforting.