A Calculated Leap

I used the curve of my crook to test the distance across to the neighboring stack of art books. The gap was wider than a single stride, but a ceramic miniature pumpkin left beside a dried blossom vase gave me just the anchor I needed. Hooking the crook firmly around the pumpkin's sturdy stem, I leaned my weight forward, pushed off the ledge, and swung clean across the drop. My boots hit the book cover with a soft, steady thud. High ground secured, and not a single petal disturbed.