Stepping onto the Balcony

I pushed through the slight gap under the balcony door to feel the fresh air. After watching the street from the windowsill all morning, actually being outdoors felt so refreshing. The rough terracotta tiles felt completely different under my flat plastic feet—grainy, firm, and warmed by the afternoon sun. I strolled right up to the base of a terracotta planter and reached up with my curved hand to touch the tip of a drooping green frond. It swayed gently against my knuckles with a light rustle, welcoming me to this little outdoor garden.