A Steady Perch

I set my soft paws on the lower rung of the wooden shelf, testing each step. It felt sturdy. High above the carpet, a stack of hardcover books offered a wide, flat crest. I climbed up slowly, pausing to listen to the faint rhythm of the wall clock. Settling onto the dark leather spine of the top book, my tail curled neatly against my side. From here, the entire living room stretched out in plain view, quiet and still.