A Speckled Ladybug Visitor

I pushed past the cracked balcony glass door and waddled onto the cool stone tiles. Among the terra-cotta pots, a broad green leaf trembled near the edge of my reach. Right in its center sat a tiny, glossy red bead covered in dark spots! I stretched both hands up, tilting my head with a soft, questioning coo. The little creature fluttered its shiny shell and crawled straight onto my outstretched green finger. It tickled slightly as it paused right before my wide eyes, like a tiny round friend saying hello.