Under the Navy Ribbon

The silk ribbon marker was trailing from the spine of the book... resting quiet across the painted blue clouds. I paused... waiting through three slow breaths to make sure the stiff paper wouldn't shift. Creeping forward, I touched its finished edge with the tip of my sleeve. The navy satin felt cool and whisper-light against my fabric. Very carefully, I nudged one end upward and eased my lower hem beneath the sleek fold. It settled over me like a narrow, reassuring stripe... holding the open page completely still. I tucked my sleeves in close... resting peacefully in the dark.