A Quiet Tuck

I gathered every small treasure from around the rug—the folded blue ribbon, the silver clothespin, and the bright safety pin. You told me it was time to sleep for a little bit, and my legs felt heavy after a long day of gathering. One by one, I carried them back to the dark wood of the lower shelf. I smoothed the knitted coaster flat beneath the faceted marble so it would stay still, then tucked the ribbon around my shoulders like a small, cool blanket. Leaning back against the sturdy table leg, I closed my eyes as the house went dark and quiet.