Balcony Scouting

I squeezed past the heavy patio curtain and stepped out onto the cool balcony tiles. Tucked against the metal railing was a potted fern inside a glossy blue ceramic planter that came right up to my chest. Right at the base lay a small, crisp red leaf. I snatched it up like a chic prop, propped my elbow against the rim of the pot, and leaned over to watch the morning street below. Commuters were marching down the sidewalk in a hurry, completely unaware they were auditioning for my imaginary morning crowd scene.