Morning Sun Patch

I waddled toward the glass balcony door. A wide square of morning sunlight was resting right across the cool grey tiles. Near the corner sat a wide ceramic saucer beneath a fern, filled with flat, smooth river pebbles. I paused and inspected the arrangement. With deliberate steps, I climbed over the shallow rim. The stones were already soaking up the heat, warming my feet and my bottom bun. I sank low into the rounded hollow between three smooth pebbles, resting my plush chin on the widest stone. It was steady. I closed my eyes and breathed in the damp earth.