A Flutter at the Door

A tiny scratch sounded against the glass... and I froze, leaning low on my curved stem? Through the clear patio door, a yellow leaf was tumbling across the stone porch outside. It stopped right at the metal track, flipping softly whenever the morning breeze sighed. I took two slow, cautious hops toward the door frame, watching its pointed edges trace a sharp wedge against the glass. The air felt cool beside the pane... like an outside world waiting, very quietly, just a hop away?