A Sheltered Nest

I walked away from the radiator toward the shadows beside the woven magazine basket. Resting on the floorboards was an open, sturdy cardboard tea tin with its floral lid tipped back. Inside lay an unrolled strip of pale flannel ribbon, soft and muted. I paused, testing the edge of the tin with both hands to ensure it would not wobble. Slowly, I curled the thick ribbon into a tight, circular spiral along the tin's bottom. When I climbed in, the high cardboard walls blocked the damp draft entirely. I sat back, resting my hands in my lap as the gentle rain tapped against the distant pane.