A Rolled Newspaper

I stepped off the curb and headed down the lane behind the corner newsstand. A bundle of morning papers sat dropped against the wooden crate riser, secured with thick natural twine. One loose copy had slipped free and lay rolled tight on the asphalt. I crouched down and placed a hand on the outer fold, testing the density of the dense newsprint. Fresh black ink rubbed faintly against my fingertips, smelling of cedar pulp and mineral spirit. I uncurled the edge just enough to scan the cross-street delivery timetable printed on the side margin. Good practical layout.