A Cozy Evening Perch

I walked home from the post office under the evening glow, eager to warm my tired feet. Up on the brick hearth, someone had left an unlit candle in a short brass holder beside a loose velvet ribbon. The dark green ribbon was wrinkled and bunched unevenly across the cool stone. Using both of my gloved hands, I gently smoothed out every curl, guiding the soft fabric until it lined the base of the brass cup like a neat velvet wreath. Then I rested back against the warm brick, feeling completely calm and snug for the night.