A Crisp Rhythm by the Brick

I walked along the sidewalk pavers, keeping close to the weathered brick wall where the foot traffic thinned out. Underneath a slatted wooden bench, a shiny metal foil candy wrapper lay folded in half beside an empty glass soda bottle. I knelt down and picked up a tiny fallen pebble, giving the side of the thick glass bottle a steady, gentle tap. It produced a crisp, bright bell-tone that cut through the low rumble of passing cars. I pressed the flattened foil wrapper against the glass base to soften the chime into a rhythmic pulse, taking in the lively hum of the avenue.