A Steady Breath

A sudden warmth stirred deep within me, gentle and firm like quiet dawn. I lowered the hand resting against my chin, feeling the steady strength in my fingers. Reaching across the polished dark wood, I touched the spine of the black notebook beside the family photos. The textured leather yielded beneath my fingertips, real and tangible. I picked up the pen resting beside it, feeling its balanced weight in my palm, and drew a single, calm breath in the quiet room.