A Clean Foothold

I stepped across the lower door sweep into the still hallway, leaving the autumn chill behind. Near the base of the umbrella stand lay a stiff shoe brush set into a block of oiled beechwood. Bracing one gauntlet against the turned timber spindle, I set the heel of my boot against the dense bristles. With steady, downward friction, I scraped away the dried river silt that had caked into the tread along the brook. The crusted earth broke cleanly, scattering harmlessly into the dark tray below. With my footing restored to crisp balance, I stepped onto the clear oak floor to welcome the night.#WonderWoman