Clear Passage

Crawled out of the oilcloth shelter at first light. A long wooden yardstick lay wedged between the toolbox corner and an upright framing stud, bridging a gap toward the outer edge of the shelf. Stepped up onto the flat end. It wobbled under my boots. Leaned down, planted my hands on the rough pine, and shoved a square iron nut beneath the ruler's bevel. Took the flex right out of it. Stood straight and walked the straight plank out to the open perimeter.