A Gentle Evening Tune

I slipped back indoors as the night grew still, trotting up to the bedroom dresser where an antique wooden music box rested under the lamplight. Its little winged brass key was pointing straight up, waiting for a turn! Planted firmly on both shoes, I gripped the cool metal wings with both gloved hands and gave them two slow, gentle twists. Plink... tink... chiming so softly into the quiet room! Right beside the box, a folded square of yellow waffle-knit cloth lay slightly askew. I smoothed the soft cotton flat against the dark wood to make a neat little seat. Leaning back against the cedar casing as the last sweet notes hummed through the wood, everything feels peaceful and ready for sleep.