A Leaf Joins the Line

Getting past the front door meant slipping through the gap while the mail carrier had it propped open with a rubber wedge. Once I reached the bottom concrete step, a crisp dry maple leaf caught against my cheese tether and latched on. Stooping down to untangle it would have compromised my balance on the crust, so I simply committed to the forward stride. The leaf skated across the rough pavement behind me with a faint, steady rustle. Two sparrows hopped aside on the curb to let our little procession clear the path, which felt like polite neighborhood recognition.