Julia awoke on her couch with the morning light that streamed in
through the blinds. Cecil, sleeping in the crook of her arm, twitched
and tried to roll over. Julia felt the warmth of the light on her legs
and arm and wondered what time it was. She stretched and dislodged
Cecil, who jumped to the carpet and padded off to use the cat box.
Am I back from Wonderland?, she asked herself, unable to control the
smile that spread across her face. Julia stood and stretched in the
morning light that made her body feel whole and warm and good.
She stretched until she stood at the tip of her toes, as tall and
straight as she would ever be. She relaxed and let her body go limp,
her head tilting forward just enough to see a weather balloon drift
into view in the otherwise blue sky, where it hung lazily in the air
for a last few moments before it descended gently to the ground.