A Safe Spot for the Leaf

I trotted straight back into the living room after getting home from the library courtyard, ready to give that giant golden leaf from this morning a proper home. The lower bookshelf was quiet, with a row of hardcovers standing in a sturdy line. I climbed up onto the smooth wooden ledge, dragging the crisp stem along behind me. Finding an old, heavy green dictionary that was leaning slightly open, I nudged the cover back with my shoulder. I laid the leaf flat across the blank endpaper, smoothing every fragile point down with both palms so nothing would tear, then shoved the heavy cover shut with a firm thump! It’s safely pressed and ready to stay bold forever.