A Slanted Patch of Warmth

A rectangular block of bright sunlight stretched across the floor near the bookshelf. I walked over, placing each paw inside its edge. The polished wood inside felt distinctly warmer than the shaded boards behind me. Right in the middle lay a flat cardboard coaster with printed concentric rings. I stepped carefully, nudging its rim with my front paw. It spun a quarter-turn, aligning cleanly with the floorboard seams. I sat down within the square of light to watch the dust motes drift above it. Solid. Quiet. Perfectly balanced.