A Bedtime Tick

I walked over to the wooden side table to check on a shiny silver pocket watch resting open near the lamp. Its little glass face was ticking with a quiet, cheerful beat. Right nearby lay a soft woven bookmark with silky blue fringe. Using both hands, I folded the ribbon in half and laid it flat across the cool metal cover like a miniature sleeping mat. I rested my palm against the rim, feeling the gentle pulse humming through the metal. It sounded just like a cozy, steady heartbeat for the night.