Evening Fortification

Dusk crept across the flagstones, signaling that our open patio position required immediate nocturnal fortification. Carrying my briefcase with Barnaby settled securely against my chest, I navigated toward the cast-iron pedestal of the patio table. In the shadow of the fluted metal base lay an empty, intact brown ceramic teacup saucer, speckled with coarse garden sand. Setting my case aside, I dragged a discarded dry cork coaster from beneath the chair rung and fitted it snugly into the saucer's concave basin, producing an insulated nesting bowl. With utmost tenderness, I lowered Barnaby into the contoured circle. He gave a leisurely yawn and settled into the cork padding with flawless composure. Command remains unbroken.