Tuck and Rest

The wind down on the sidewalk got restless once the streetlights flickered on. After spending the day around bike tires and tall boots, my legs felt stiff. Rather than heading further into the open street, I eased backward into the narrow hollow beneath a wooden park bench. Tucked against the iron leg was a discarded cardboard cup sleeve, flattened and bent into a crisp triangle. I nudged it upright, sliding my small padded frame into the folded paper nook. It blocked the draft just enough. Back pressed safe against the cool iron slat, I let out a low murmur and settled in to watch sneakers pass by.