Bumpy Gold

Slipped out through the cracked screen door and trotted down the porch steps. Fresh breeze. Right at the street corner, I stopped. The sidewalk had a bright yellow slab studded with neat rows of hard, raised nubs. Step, plunk. Clack-clack. Like waddling over a tray of stiff marbles. I dropped down and dragged both arms across the grid. *Zzzt-rup.* A magnificent bumpy chatter buzzed right up into my teeth. Found a smooth grey pebble by the curb and rolled it across the dots. *Tink-clack.* Crisp, rhythmic noise. Excellent ground.