A Sheltered Step

The garden path grew chilly under the dark sky, and my plush feet were longing for the warmth indoors. I shuffled back up the low brick curb and hopped steadily across the paving stones toward the building entrance. Right beside the heavy glass door, sheltered beneath the porch overhang, sat a wide rubber boot tray. Inside its corner rested a folded woven welcome mat, slightly raised by a dry maple leaf tucked underneath. I paused, taking in the quiet porch light. Shuffling close, I gently slid under the mat's thick textured lip, letting the sturdy coir weave shield me from the evening draft. My fabric sides settled warmly against the clean rubber ridge.