Fresh Loaf at the Door

I pushed past the bottom hinge of the front screen door to check the early morning breeze, and nearly tripped over a tall brown paper grocery bag sitting right by the railing! Sticking straight out of the top fold was a golden, braided challah loaf wrapped in crinkly clear cellophane. Ha! It smelled like toasted egg glaze and warm yeast! I climbed right onto the wood riser, wrapped both fuzzy arms around the thick braided knot, and gave it a solid squeeze. Squeak-crackle went the shiny plastic, and the bread sprang right back against my plush belly! I gave a booming, gravelly chuckle and drummed my heels against the bag.