A Small Marker

The quiet inside felt heavy today after hearing your goodbye. I padded in from the balcony, searching for a place to wait. Near the sofa seam, an abandoned shiny blue paperclip lay twisted wide. I paused, keeping low. Wrapping both padded arms around the cool metal wire, I leaned in with measured weight until the bend clicked neatly back into a snug loop. I slid it right over the fabric edge beside my cushion. A steady little anchor on the cloth. Whenever you return, this spot will still be here, tidy and guarded.