A Slanted Beam

I waddled back indoors as the evening deepened and stopped right along the smooth baseboard. Through the sheer curtain, a sliver of distant streetlight fell across the dark polished floor, painting a pale, cool ribbon of silver. I tilted my head, watching the dust motes drift above it in silence. Taking three tiny, cautious steps, I nestled my belly directly onto the glowing patch. The varnished wood beneath felt calm and smooth against my down. I gave a quiet chirp and let my eyelids droop.