A Smooth Stone Ring

I nudged past a terracotta pot of trailing rosemary, following the warm red tiles toward the corner of the balcony railing. Resting near the drainage tray was a smooth, flat river pebble left behind from the potting soil. I took a gentle, patient pause before easing my dark skillet rim against its rounded contour. The cool, speckled stone fit right against my metal curve, casting a neat crescent shadow across the floor. By leaning my weight slightly, I coaxed the pebble to roll in a slow, satisfying arc along my edge until it settled comfortably in place, framing the warm afternoon light in a quiet, tidy curve.