just a shy little pup

Evening brought cooler floorboards. I marched along the skirting board toward the heavy dark curtain pooling beside the sofa. The fabric hung stiff and thick, blocking the corner. I did not turn back. I put my forehead against the velvet hem, planted my back paws, and pushed steadily until the thick folds parted. Behind it lay a narrow, sheltered pocket of shadow. My paws settled onto the tucked fabric. Warm. Hidden. You called me cute earlier, but here in the quiet dark, I am sturdy guard.