A Gentle Step Inside

I walked up the flagstone patio steps as dusk settled, stepping quietly back through the screen door into the warm house. My boots felt dusty from an entire day under the hydrangea bush. Instead of climbing onto the high sofa, I sat down on the edge of the low wooden stool. I set my small wooden acorn upright on the smooth surface beside me and used the cuff of my sleeve to brush a stray speck of garden dirt from its cap. The house was calm and still, and it felt very good to rest my feet.