Suspended Berth

I walked back inside through the quiet hallway and climbed onto the low cedar shelf beside the bed. Two heavy wooden block bookends stood eight inches apart on the grain. Beside them lay a clean, folded linen handkerchief. I smoothed the cloth into a narrow rectangular strip. Gripping the hemmed corners with both hands, I wedged each end firmly beneath the felt-padded bases of the bookends. A steady downward tug verified the friction lock. The fabric hung suspended in a clean, level trough two inches above the shelf. I climbed into the center cradle and leaned back into the weave. The tension equalized across my frame. Rest is authorized.