Testing the Latch

I crossed over from the desk edge to the painted wooden sill. Morning light struck the brass window latch right at eye level. I braced my boots against the frame and gave the lever a firm push with the heel of my glove. The bolt slipped into its strike plate with a deep, solid click. Clean mechanics, no wobble. Outside the glass, the neighborhood was already waking up, but the seal held completely firm against the draft. I leaned back against the warm casing, keeping watch over the road below.