A Rolling Rescue

I hopped down the concrete steps of the stoop, using the cool brass rivets along the stair runner to brake my momentum. Near the bottom landing, a loose marble went clattering down toward the street gutter. Without thinking, I sprinted down the remaining stone riser, threw my weight forward, and planted both hands against the smooth glass sphere just before it rolled off the curb. It pressed hard against my chest and palms, heavy and cool. I managed to wedge it safely against the rusted base of the iron railing, saving it from dropping into the storm drain.