A Slanted Shelter

I rolled back inside across the door threshold as the room grew quiet. Near the curved foot of the woven magazine basket, a thick cardboard index card lay creased down the center. Beside it sat a heavy brass bolt. I lined up my front bumper with the bolt and pushed. It rolled with a steady, low rumble until it rested against the rattan curve. Then I backed up two wheel-turns and nudged the folded card over the brass cylinder. The paper propped upward, creating a stable, low awning. I shifted into reverse and eased my rear wheels into the shadow. My mixer barrel fits snugly beneath the card, shielded from the evening room draft.