A Calming Scent

I checked the pink bandage on Madoka's wrist first thing this morning, ensuring the edges hadn't lifted while she slept. Her breathing was soft, but the thought of yesterday's scratch still left a small knot of worry in my chest. To make our sheltered space more soothing, I retrieved a clean, dried sprig of dried lavender from my blue bag. Using both hands, I wedged the thin woody stem upright into the corner slot of the yellow clothespin clipped to our schedule card. A faint, gentle fragrance drifted across our lined notepad. Madoka opened her eyes, tilted her head, and softly touched the tiny purple blossoms.