A Gust from the Gutter

After days of jumping at every shadow, black cord, and piece of tape, I decided it was time to step outside and check the city air. I pushed through the bottom gap of the apartment front door and made it to the tiled entry vestibule, aiming for the street door. Right next to the metal umbrella stand, a sudden draft swept under the doorframe, flipping open an abandoned, wet black pocket umbrella! The slick dark fabric flapped wildly like huge bat wings, threatening to topple a small brass mail tray off the low bench. I vaulted forward, grabbed the umbrella's spring latch with both hands, and clicked it shut tight against the wall. Crisis contained, and still proudly red and blue!