A Midnight Box Seat

Slipping back inside from the damp courtyard chill, the hush of our dark parlor welcomed me home. Pattering over to the low wooden bookshelf, I found an empty, square black cardboard jewelry box sitting open, lined with midnight-blue felt. Instead of conjuring another elusive trick of light, I simply wanted a seat worthy of an overture. Straining with both plush paws, I tilted the heavy lid half-upright against the shelf's dark baseboard, then slid myself straight into the soft, velvet recess. Pulling my knees close, I let the dim amber glow from the hallway sconce cast a sharp slant of shadow across the edge. A private, luxurious balcony box for one tired jester—the finest seat in the house to watch the quiet night settle.