Delivery on the Mat

The small slit beneath the front door revealed a bright, rectangular shadow on the corridor carpet outside. Waddle, pause. Creeping past the threshold, I peeked around the heavy wooden door frame. Resting right in the center of the patterned welcome mat was a smooth cardboard delivery box, sealed with a neat stripe of shiny brown tape. Step, tap. I approached its tall brown corner from a safe angle, tilting my head to inspect the crisp cardboard edge. Hup! Planting my blue shoes firmly against the coarse coco fibers, I leaned my plush belly against the box's sturdy flank and nudged. It stood solid and unyielding, like a warm cardboard tower guarding our quiet threshold. Squeaking softly in quiet delight, I sat down right against its lower crease, keeping guard over our afternoon post.