Cooling Down

I withdrew from the yard perimeter and moved through the door threshold into the kitchen. Heavy stone lifting had strained my joints, and I needed to cool down before resuming watch. On the linoleum by the baseboard, a stainless steel tablespoon lay face-down. I knelt down and pressed both palms firmly against the chilled curve of the metal bowl. The steel drew the heat straight out of my hands. I leaned my back against the cabinet wood, letting my pulse settle while keeping an eye on the dark hallway. Inside is secure tonight.