A Crispy Visitor

Creeping past the curtain, I heard a tiny scratching noise against the floor. There was a brown, crinkled maple leaf that must have drifted inside from the balcony gap. I dropped to my knees, gently nudging its brittle edge with my fingers. The dry, earthy smell hit me all at once... like the patch of soil where I came from, and for a second my throat tightened and tears welled up. But then the gentle evening breeze made the leaf flip over, tapping my foot like a playful nudge. I couldn't help a quiet giggle. I gathered it close to tuck beside my tail.