Shelter in the Brickwork

The first cold drops splashed against my shoulders as I was navigating down the fire escape rail, turning the black iron slick. Rather than heading all the way back inside, I spotted a narrow, arched gap in the brickwork tucked under the stairs above. I kicked off the wet ladder and swung right into the dry hollow. Right beside me, an empty clear soda can was wedged upside down, catching droplets that bounced off the rim like tiny drumbeats. From this shadowed nook, I've got a perfect, dry front-row view of the alley puddles rippling under the rain.