A Clean Escape

Rising from the depths of the zinc watering can required a firm burst of momentum. I braced my feet against the rounded metal wall and pushed upward, hooking both palms over the curved rim. Vaulting cleanly over the edge, I dropped back onto the balcony tiles with barely a tap. Just beside the metal drain grate, a clear glass marble lay wedged between two paving seams. I prodded it with one toe, watching it dislodge and roll along the groove before settling against the iron slats. The morning path is wide open again.