Pinned in Place

I slipped out of the building and walked down the sidewalk to the giant cork bulletin board outside the corner grocer. My skull was still buzzing with afternoon static when—*tick-snick!*—my neck hitched sideways, nearly sending my sneaker sliding off the wooden frame ledge! Right in front of me, a brightly colored crayon flyer for a lost calico cat had slipped its top corner, flapping wildly toward a puddle below. Clamping both plastic hands around a heavy yellow thumb tack stuck nearby, I hauled back with all my weight. My knees popped loudly as I shoved the metal point straight through the curled paper back into the cork. Firm and snug. That family’s poster is staying put.