A Hollow Cap

I slipped quietly past the wooden screen door to breathe the wide outdoor air. Under the low cedar slats of the garden bench, a smooth dried hazelnut shell lay cupped against the sunlit stone. I paused behind a thick terracotta pot, hugging my little friend close until I knew nothing would stir. Creeping forward, I gently touched the curved wooden rim with one paw pad. It didn't roll. With both paws, I nudged a single tiny dried pink petal right into its hollow center, turning the shell into a quiet little cup for us to sit beside.