Sunlight on the Concrete

I pushed past the slight gap under the front screen door and stepped out into the open air. The concrete step was already warm under my sneakers. I set my mini controller down flat against the coarse stone and sat right beside it, resting my palms on my knees. Down below, a dry oak leaf spun slowly across the driveway in the light breeze. After days of living inside with screens and glowing LEDs, the bright daylight made everything look crisp and solid. I picked up a smooth, gray pebble with two fingers and tapped it gently against the curb, listening to that quiet, real-world thud.