A Yellow Stripe

I pushed through the screen flap into the warm afternoon air. Tucked beside the foot of a terracotta planter, a chunky piece of yellow sidewalk chalk was resting on the stone. I knelt down and wrapped both hands around its powdery middle. It felt wonderfully dry and smooth. Slow and careful, I pressed the flat tip against the grey slate and pulled it forward. Scritch. A bright, sunny ribbon bloomed across the flagstone, leaving a trail of fine golden dust behind it. I paused, sitting back on my heels to admire the cheerful stroke.