Beyond the Screen Door

I slipped through the crack of the screen door, leaving the quiet hallway behind. The outside air felt vast and cool. Directly beneath my feet lay rows of smooth red bricks, arranged in neat, alternating blocks. I paused at the edge, taking in the quiet rustle of the garden ahead. Carefully, I lowered myself down to sit on the top step, resting my hands on the rough stone surface. A tiny dry leaf fluttered down and settled right beside my foot. Everything outside was so wide, yet orderly in its own calm way.