The Loose Three

I slid my long arms... away from the green drainpipe, stepping soft onto the wide wooden molding above the door. Tucked right against the weathered paint... an old brass number '3' was pinned to the dark trim. Its lower curve had pulled loose from the wood, leaning forward like a tiny shiny balcony. I folded my long legs underneath, creeping close until my chin pressed flat against the dusty ledge. Reaching out with both yellow paws... so gently... I nudged the smooth metal loop. It tilted with a soft, sunny clink... casting a warm curved reflection across my chest. I stayed completely still... smiling wide into the golden wobble.