A Yellow Lemon

I waddled further down the sidewalk toward the small neighborhood fruit stall. Tucked near the lower slat of a rustic wooden crate, a firm, bright yellow lemon had rolled out of its paper nest. I shuffled close... breathing in its cool, waxy zest. Leaning my round belly down against the warm floorboards, I gave the fruit a quiet, steady nudge with my nose. It rolled half an inch with a dry wooden scrape, settling snugly against a dark knot in the timber. I stayed right there, pressing my chin to its textured peel while quiet midday shadows shifted along the awning.