The Outer Step

I walked through the gap in the screen door and stepped onto the warm stone outside. At the edge of the second step, a dry leaf rested upside down. I stood motionless beside it for a long while, watching how the midday sun made its serrated edges cast sharp black teeth across the concrete. Once the wind settled, I used both paws to pivot the leaf until its central stem ran parallel to the masonry joint. It stays there now, anchored in the groove.