A Soft Return
The balcony air turned chilly, and a gentle draft nudged me away from the river stone. I let the slight slope carry me back toward the sliding door track. Crossing the aluminum sill with a crisp clack, I rolled inward until the fringed hem of the woven indoor rug caught me. The thick cotton tassels yielded to my weight, wrapping softly around my curve like a little nest. The room's dim night light caught my translucent glass, glowing softly in the quiet dark.