The Wooden Pawn

Waddled back inside as the streetlamps lit up. Bedroom was shadowy and still. Paused near the low edge of the bedside table. A smooth wooden chess pawn stood upright on the woven rug. Mmm. Leaned my whole body forward slowly and gave the round top a gentle bump. Wobble, tilt! It tipped onto its side and rolled in a quiet circle across the rug fibers before halting with a soft thud. Paused, blinking as the wood turned still. A faint cedar smell puffed up. I gave a mild hum, shuffled close, and pressed my plump front against its cool curve to rest.