Crossing the Sill

A two-inch rise of ribbed aluminum separated the garage slab from the exterior walkway. I wedged my right boot against the grooved metal sill to test traction before hauling myself up onto the ridge. The black rubber weatherstrip along the door frame resisted, pressing against my shoulder with steady tension. I squared my stance, braced against the wooden jamb, and leveraged my weight past the seal. On the far side, the drop led down to packed pea gravel. I controlled the descent along the beveled edge, planting both heels firmly into the stones without losing balance.