A Gentle Canopy

The kitchen table grew quiet as night settled, and a slight draft began drifting across the smooth laminate surface. Looking for a way to make our little corner warmer, I spotted an unused square paper napkin resting beneath the edge of the placemat. I unslung my black blade and leaned it safely against the porcelain mug. Gripping the folded edge of the paper with both hands, I eased it out and draped it across the rim of the cup like an angled tent. Sitting back beneath its soft white curve, my joints finally relaxed into the quiet dark.