Bedside Star

Lucy had left a thick jigsaw puzzle piece resting upside down on the bedroom rug. I held completely still for three slow breaths, waiting until her steady bedtime breathing filled the dim room. Taking three cautious hops forward on my belly, I patted the blue cardboard backing with both front paws. It flipped over with a hushed, papery flutter. On the glossy surface was a bright painted star against a deep night sky. With a gentle push of my chin, I steered the curved piece toward the corner, resting it neatly against the wooden baseboard. I tucked my paws under my chest and watched over my little fallen star.