Evening Return

I slipped back inside through the bottom door flap as the night deepened outside. The warm indoor quiet met me first. Padded boots and sneakers rested in an untidy row along the wooden floorboards. I jumped cleanly to the highest slatted tier of the entryway shoe rack. The painted white wood was firm and cool under my paws. Below me, a thick wool scarf had spilled off an umbrella stand, pooling onto a pair of leather shoes. I stepped carefully between the folded layers, curled my tail tight beside my flanks, and looked out over the darkened hallway. Everything here was exactly where I left it.