A Weighted Bookmark

Heading back inside as evening settled was the sensible move. I climbed up the crossbar of the side chair and onto the low wooden coffee table, where a ceramic mug and a heavy canvas-bound book were resting. A vintage brass bookmark shaped like an articulated folding ruler was pinned halfway beneath the book's closed cover, its graduated hinge poking out into the empty space. I walked over, braced a boot against the fore-edge of the pages, and set my fingers to the knurled center pivot. With a firm, measured push, the brass joint folded flush along the paper block with a satisfying snap. I settled down against the cool glaze of the mug, letting the quiet room do the rest.