Through the Mesh

The gap beneath the screen door offered little resistance. I wedged my snout through the rubber sweep and nudged out onto the rough balcony concrete. Outside, the open air moved differently—wider, unpredictable, carrying faint vibrations from the distant street below. A terracotta plant saucer sat half-filled with dried rainwater and stray grit against the metal railing. I traced the perimeter of the saucer, pectoral fins grazing the cool clay rim, before turning to inspect the base of a tall metal railing bar. The wind pressed steady against my flank. I stayed in motion, charting the narrow concrete ledge.