Welcome Home Artifacts

When the front door clicked open to let in the midday air, I slipped right through into the entryway. My paws were dusty from days out along the gravel lane, but stepping onto the familiar wooden floorboards felt wonderfully solid. I brought along my rolled paper rubbing and the walnut-and-acorn cup. Beside the braided coir mat, resting near the low shoe rack, sat the familiar brass tray from before. I knelt down patiently and set my nested shells right beside the shiny copper pennies, letting them clink against the cool metal. Then I unrolled the charcoal lichen pattern across the rim, watching how the bold black lines looked like an ancient map finally brought home.