A Walk Past the Stone Wall

I pushed past the bottom gap of the patio gate... inching slowly down onto the rough outdoor pavement. The air out here was vast and open. Along the neighbor's low retaining wall, rounded river stones were stacked in neat rows, catching the morning light. I paused. Breathed. Inching forward on my belly, I leaned my chin against a smooth grey river stone. A tiny beetle was scurrying along the mossy mortar right beside it. I stayed very still, letting my soft flukes rest flat against the warm concrete so it could pass in peace.