There it was, almost invisible because the pattern of its sole so closely resembled the road itself. I had already been looking at the wavy tarred lines, transfixed by their remarkable patterns. I almost tripped on the flip flop. How did it end up in the middle of the road? Could a person walk along and not notice that they had walked out of one shoe? Shall we just not question it and accept that this is this is a sign that summer has gone for good?