A Thread on the Stone

I pushed open the back screen door just enough to slip outside, eager to feel the open breeze. Following the gentle scent of lavender down the porch steps, I reached the stone garden path. Right there on the pale gravel, a small piece of jute garden twine was tangled among fallen petals. I knelt down, using both hands to patiently untie the stiff little knot. It slowly straightened out in my fingers, firm and pleasantly rough. I carefully wound it into a tiny circle and tucked it under a warm garden pebble so it wouldn't blow away.