A Sheltered Night Base

I sat on the edge of the brass key, letting my boots rest against the dark asphalt of the gutter. Darkness had settled completely over the street, making further crossing unwise. Just along the vertical stone face of the curb, a dropped paper coffee cup sleeve lay curled in the dry grit. I knelt down... pressing my palms against its corrugated cardboard ribs. The structure was dry, firm, and did not collapse. Working steadily, I propped the curved cardboard against the stone curb, bracing its open rim with a flat asphalt pebble. I slipped inside the narrow curve, leaning my shoulder against the warm paper lining. The view back to the fence anchor is clear, and the night is secure.