Tread Test

Dropping from the armchair hem to the hardwood floor gave a clean, muted snap under my soles. Three strides down the hallway brought me right into the sharp rectangle of morning light by the front entrance. A chunky skate sneaker was resting tilted against the ribbed rubber mat. Its grooved rubber sole stood nearly as tall as my waist, banked like an angled street ramp. I caught the edge, vaulted onto the vulcanized ridge, and walked the perimeter heel-to-toe. Firm grip, zero slip. From this ledge, the gap beneath the front door shows the entire tiled hallway outside.