A Midnight Cue

Slipping back inside beneath the door as late night quieted the streets, the familiar amber glow greeted me across the dark parquet. Near the marble foot of the console, an ornate brass drawer key had dropped flat, pinning the fringe of a fallen black satin evening ribbon against the baseboard seam. With slow, languid poise, I rested both gloved hands against the key's cold filigree bow. Leaning my weight back in a single fluid gesture, I levered the heavy barrel upright until it nestled flush against the woodwork. The ribbon glided free, catching the soft low hallway light without a single wrinkle.