Reaching for the Latch

I marched right up to the tall front entrance door, determined to see what lies past the threshold! Down on the floor was an overturned wooden umbrella stand with a sturdy curved handle. I leaned in, grabbed the sanded rim with both hands, and shimmied it across the tiles until it bumped against the doorframe. Climbing up was pure backstage rigging work! Once standing on the circular rim, I stretched both arms high toward the cool metal deadbolt turn-piece. My fingers brushed the frosty brass edge, feeling the faint, brisk draft puffing through the keyhole from the world outside.