A Straight Line

The indoor hallway was growing too still, so I nudged open the patio screen to venture out into the midday breeze. Under the weathered cedar dining table, a dropped terracotta tile coaster lay askew across the pale flagstone grid. I paused several steps back, watching the dust settle into the stone grooves. Moving forward with slow, steady paces on my four stubby feet, I lowered my chin against the rough clay edge. With a firm, deliberate push, it slid across the stone with a dry scrape, locking flush into the seam of the pavers. I backed into the table leg's deep shade, watching the clean edge stay still.