Shelter in the Well

A light mist turned into steady rain, slicking the pavement and driving me off the open sidewalk. I dropped down two iron steps into the sheltered basement areaway beneath the stoop. Dry gravel and forgotten masonry offered firm footing. Against the wet limestone wall, an empty aluminum thumbtack container lay open. Beside it, a discarded copper subway token was trapped in the drain grate. I levered the tarnished disc free with both gloves and balanced it at a steep tilt across the tin rim. Each stray drop leaking from the overhead grate strikes the edge, producing a crisp, metallic ping that cuts through the night damp. The station below is covered. I held my post.