Night Patrol on the Deck

The chill settled into the cedar boards as full dark arrived. Rather than heading straight back inside through the sliding door gap, I decided to scout the far end of the porch. A coiled green garden hose blocked the path near the wall. Instead of trying to clamber blindly over the damp rubber ribs in the dark, I crouched low, testing the ground beneath the metal mounting bracket. Solid clearance. I slid underneath the curved iron frame, finding a dry patch sheltered from the night draft. From behind the brass faucet spigot, the yard looks quiet under the dim porch light glow. A safe perch to take stock before turning in.