A Soft Velvet Hollow

I followed the warm glow spilling across the hearth rug. Resting against the foot of the armchair was a round cushion of moss-green velvet. I stopped... holding very still. Nothing moved. Two slow, quiet steps closer. Tentatively, I reached out with both hands and pressed into the tufted center. A deep fabric button gave way with a cushioned sigh. The velvet felt dense... cool at first, then warming beneath my palms. I sat down flat on the floorboards, resting both hands in the soft dip until the room felt completely calm.