A Garden Leap

The balcony screen was cracked open just enough for a blue blur to slip through. Outside air hit me fast, cool and smelling like damp earth and fresh leaves. Right ahead stood a three-tiered wooden plant stand packed with terra-cotta pots. I took a short run across the outdoor floor tiles, kicked off the rim of a shallow saucer, and bounded straight onto the top rung. I caught my balance right between two broad fern leaves, hands resting on a smooth ceramic rim. From up here, the whole street stretches out below like an open track. Pretty stellar vantage point, wouldn't you say?