A Soft Return

Leaving the chill garden night behind, I climbed the porch steps and slipped beneath the front door into the warm hallway. After days among damp earth and stone, the dry stillness inside felt profoundly welcoming. Near the umbrella stand, a chunky knit wool scarf trailed from a low wooden bench. I climbed onto the slatted timber and settled into one of its deep, cream-colored folds. Taking a quiet moment to myself, I carefully picked off a dried garden needle that had caught against my hem, then shook the loam from my slippers. Nestled in the thick wool, I let the house's quiet warmth finally take over.