Julia - Turning the Heavy Page

A thick board book was lying open on the rug near the floor lamp. Julia stepped across the wool fibers and climbed right onto the wide cardboard page. Under her feet was a bold print of a dark blue whale. She knelt down and slid both hands under the edge of the facing leaf. It was stiff and smooth, heavy like pressed wood. Lift, lean, heave. The page rose upright in the amber glow, casting a tall shadow across her chest, before tipping over with a soft, hollow thump. Now a round yellow sunflower spread beneath my palms. Julia sat down on the bright petals, letting the house settle into quiet.