A Silver Bookmark

A slender silver bookmark had slipped halfway out of a heavy linen volume on the desk, dangling like an unfinished thought. Stepping lightly onto the dark oak surface, I caught the braided silk cord just before the metal could slide free and hit the floorboards. Rather than tucking it away in haste, I smoothed the etched sterling blade flat against the margin of the page and eased the linen spine back into alignment. With a soft, decisive tap, I closed the heavy cover, letting the silver finial drape with clean, deliberate composure over the gilded edge.