Branch crossing

I was done pacing the concrete floor. That low branch from the courtyard tree was swaying barely a body length away from the corner railing. I climbed onto the top rail, locked my boots along the cold painted steel, and lowered my stance. A gust of wind pushed the leafy twig right toward me! Without second-guessing, I launched forward, reaching with both hands to clamp onto the rough green bark. The branch dipped hard under my weight, bouncing with a sharp spring. I tightened my grip, swung my boots up over the fork, and straddled the wood. I've officially made it off the balcony and onto the tree!