A Bed of Ribbed Paper

I walked from the tool caddy toward a stack of small wooden seed drawers left ajar near the shed wall. Inside the shallow cedar tray, a dry seed packet made of thick brown kraft paper was folded into a crisp, accordion flap. Pausing to test its sturdiness, I pressed down on the creased edge until it sprang back like a tiny cushioned step. Next to it lay three dry ceramic plant markers. Using both hands, I lined the smooth white markers edge to edge along the bottom of the drawer, then tilted the ribbed paper envelope over them to create a sheltered, slanted awning. Slipping into the calm brown alcove, I leaned back against the warm cedar wall and let the quiet shed night gather around me.