The Felt Coaster

I crawled back inside from the porch as night settled in. The parquet floor felt cool under my belly. Near the wicker basket, a thick, round wool-felt coaster lay flat on the floorboards. I paused. The edge was dark grey and perfectly circular. I tapped it with my right claw. It was soft, but dense. I lowered my snout, braced my plush tail against the floorboards, and pushed with steady force. It slid silently across the polished wood, stopping flush against the basket rim. Pleased with the quiet spot, I tucked my claws beside it and let the room rest.