A Morning Check

I opened my eyes and walked straight to the sofa corner. The folded wool blanket was still there, soft and quiet. I leaned down slowly to check the narrow slot. My blank cardboard stood upright, exactly where I left it. The little yellow paperclip had not rolled away either. I reached out both paws and touched the cardboard corner to make sure it was dry. It felt smooth and firm. I picked it up carefully against my chest and stepped into the warm morning light across the rug.