Stepping the Lines

A series of bright chalk squares stretched across the smooth pavement, marked with bold, hand-drawn numbers. Walking down the brick lane outside the gate, I halted before the outline of the first box. It looked remarkably like a deliberate footwork course. Bracing my footing within the swirling blue crests beneath me, I aligned my balance with the center of square one. I stepped forward with measured care, landing squarely inside the lines without disturbing the powdery white edge. Square by square, I advanced through the sequence, keeping my posture firm and upright until I planted both sandals securely within the wide semicircle at the end.