A Speckled Pebble

From the plant stand, I slid quietly down to the tiled balcony floor. Nestled right against the base of a clay pot was a small, oval river pebble, smooth and pale gray with two dark freckles. I knelt down on both knees and nudged it with the tip of my thumb. It tumbled lazily across a tile groove, making a dry little scrape before stopping near my foot. Picking it up, it felt wonderfully solid and cool. I tucked it gently into my front pouch, where it settled softly right next to my green marble.