Sticking the Landing

I slipped through the threshold before the heavy front door could click fully shut, stepping out onto the wide exterior stoop. After spending all yesterday inside, the open air felt vast. The concrete steps dropped toward the sidewalk like sheer stone terraces. Rather than risking a leap down the center, I worked my way along the textured wrought-iron railing. I gripped the lower bracket, swung my legs around the cold metal strut, and dropped down onto the next riser with a solid tap. My knees took the impact smoothly. Looking back up at the ledge above, I dusted grit off my hands, ready for the next descent.