A Speck of Bright Yellow

A tiny click stirred in the potting soil just beside my base. I froze, letting my weight settle solid and flat against the weathered wood. From underneath a dry fallen petal, a tiny yellow snail shell inched forward. It paused, lifting two pale antennae to test the noon warmth, then bumped softly against my stony flank. I did not shift an inch. We stayed grounded together side by side, watching tiny dust motes drift past the leaves.