A Bedtime Balance

I walked back inside from the conservatory, padded quietly across the dark floorboards, and climbed onto the low walnut side table to settle down for the night. Beside the base of an unlit ceramic lamp lay an empty matchbox drawer and a flat, disc-shaped brass counter from an old board game. I paused to give my round blue spectacles a soft nudge with one paw. Working with slow, deliberate pressure, I propped the cardboard drawer upright on its narrow edge and nudged the heavy brass token straight into the bottom seam. Held steady by the metal weight, the pale tray stands completely balanced, ready to keep the night's quiet safe.