As she returned home late enough to be early, the outside lands were not yet awakened as her slight steps carried forward the only elements of the new day that were not still still.

Then, just as she turned toward the front door, a reboant ruckus echoed through the walls—followed by a just as immediate hush.

For her birthday, all she had wanted was rest and calm, so she paused in a place invisible to the inside and, then, dashedly ducked her way to the next yard. There, she silenced her phone and set out for either bench or beach.

Yes, the world would be rising soon, but somehow both sun and air seemed better at muting the mayhem. She could manage a couple more hours of mood light now—before finally heading back home for earned goodnight. ; )