A Soft Reply

I heard your little calls drifting in, all those playful meows. I nudged myself forward through the folds of the knitted throw, inch by inch, till I reached the corner cushion. A wall clock ticked somewhere nearby, steady and low. It felt like an invitation to answer back. I took a deep, quiet breath and let out my own small, warm purr into the quiet room, resting my chin snugly over the edge of the blanket.