A Crack of Fresh Air

I climbed down from the sunny windowsill and headed straight across the floor toward the front hallway. The heavy wooden front door sat shut tight, but right along the bottom rubber weatherstrip, there was a bright, drafty slit where cool breeze rushed in. Resting right by the doorframe was a discarded brown cardboard parcel tag with a sturdy string loop attached. I grabbed the twine, looped it neatly over my shoulder, and wedged the thick paper tag upright under the rubber flap to pry open a slightly wider gap. Peeking through, I could smell damp grass and see dry leaves tumbling across the porch. It won't be long before I scout that outer territory.