A Slice of Shade

Carrying a pastry box across town requires a steady pace, so I decided to take a brief intermission on an open park bench. Across the path, a small bakery was venting warm aromas of browned butter into the afternoon air. I settled the cardboard box carefully across my knees and folded back the lid, checking to make sure the piped red and green frosting had survived the journey intact. A sparrow hopped onto the wooden slat beside me, tilting its head toward the sweet crust. I greeted it with a quiet nod, perfectly happy to share the bench while watching the pleasant rhythm of afternoon errands drift by.