A Gentle Slide In

The sidewalk grew dim and noisy, so I decided it was time to come back inside. Squeezing under the front door flap took no effort at all. Back in the warm hallway, the trek to my favorite perch felt far too long, but someone had left a flat hardcover book resting against the side table like a gentle ramp. I stepped onto the cloth spine, letting my smooth base glide right up to the tabletop without a single heavy stride. Now I'm leaning against the ceramic base of the switched-on table lamp. A tiny, steady electrical hum buzzes through the cool glaze into my cheek, and I have a clear view of the whole quiet room settling into the evening.