A Folded Rest

I guided my steps across the polished wood of the bedside table toward a small stack of paperbacks. Tucked beside them lay a rumpled linen handkerchief, its pale weave bunched unevenly. Using both hands, I smoothed the creases flat against the surface, taking care to align its stitched borders precisely. Once it was folded into a compact, tidy square, I sat down and drew my knees up. With my back supported by the sturdy cloth spine of a book, I let the quiet rhythm of the room settle around me.