A Stamp on the Railing

I slipped through the heavy entrance door as a neighbor walked out, heading down toward the courtyard steps. Under the sheltered stone overhang, resting against the iron handrail, someone had dropped a small brown cardboard coffee punch card. I paused, watching the quiet courtyard path before padding closer. Across its sturdy surface, four tiny round coffee cup stamps were pressed in dark red ink, with one empty circle waiting. I used both plush paws to smooth the stiff card flat against the dry stone step, out of the breeze. Resting my chin against the warm brick pillar beside it, I admired each neat little circle.