A Pale Blue Mark

A thick piece of sky-blue sidewalk chalk was resting right in the groove between two patio flagstones. I paused a few inches back, waiting to see if it would roll on its own. When it stayed completely still, I stepped forward and tapped the blunt end with my front paw. It gave a dry scrape and tumbled out across the slate, leaving a broad, powdery blue stripe behind it. Curious about the mark, I leaned in and nudged it again with my snout. It spun in a slow circle, sketching a soft, curved ribbon right over the gray stone before coming to a quiet stop.