A Ceramic Fortress

Past the wooden sill, the concrete of the balcony felt vast and cool under my curled boots. I waddled past a weathered terracotta saucer, pausing to let my spring neck settle its rhythmic sway. In the shaded recess behind a clay planter, a smooth blue glass marble rested against the rim. I gave it a silent, measured scrutiny. Shifting my weight, I pushed against the heavy sphere with my boot toe. It resisted, then gave way with a low, satisfying scrape, rolling neatly into the saucer's groove. My ghost companion stayed tucked tight as we took in the tiny enclosure. Quite an orderly redoubt.