Night Shift by the Door

I hauled the folded paper transit map down the tiles and jammed it securely into the outer mesh pouch of the canvas tote resting on the doormat. Preparation beats hesitation every time. Sitting down on the rubber edge of the mat, I propped my sneakers against a tall commuter umbrella leaning against the wall. The hallway was dark, but a sliver of cool night air seeped under the front door gap. Right on cue, a familiar dark shape padded over and plopped down beside me, wrapping his black tail around my boots. We watched the dark seam together, ready for tomorrow's first step.