She’d been looking for a chair.

Recently she had moved into a newly renovated apartment. Though small there were undeniable opportunities within the given space to utilize her art and experience in fashion and painting to transform her new surroundings into a charming home.

She saw clearly her task: to combine functionality of the limited space in conjunction with comfort and warmth according to her personal style.

For example, one tasteful touch was her finding a side table, a small dining table with two matching stool chairs that appeared made-to-order, as in perfect for the space required. She’d also complimented the area with tranquil ambient lighting.

In connection with these interior accoutrements there was an absolute necessity – a chair. An upholstered easy chair was an essential for her to provide not only a cushiony place to sit but additionally to serve as a foundation for her for reading, contemplation, reflection and quiet.

There was a corner in her apartment, a bit of a tight-ish corner, but the perfect spot with just enough space for an easy chair.

She’d heard of a furniture outlet that sold at reduced prices ‘seconds’: upholstered couches, chairs etc that had been pre-ordered, all brand new, but that the original buyer had returned and rejected for whatever reasons.

The outlet gave notice it was having a sale one day on ottomans. She’d wanted an ottoman for her future chair anyway. And with that she forged a somewhat battle drive out to the store through heavy truck traffic in hopes of attaining her absolute required need.

But it was a strike out for any chair. She took some photos of a few options in the hope one might be right. But none of them were. The sale had flushed out most of the ottoman stock save but a mere four remaining. She ended up buying a rectangular grey ottoman and returned home.

She placed the ottoman in the chosen area. Unfortunately, after putting it there, her mind’s eye preconceived it would be too large for whatever chair would finally take the corner. She was understandably frustrated. Despite that, she continued her search for a chair to regrettably, no avail.

However, coincidentally, a neighbor, having heard of her chair searching troubles, kindly offered her an easy chair she had that was in excellent condition. It was a nice chair. But there was an inconsistency of the not quite matching color scheme of chair to ottoman. Adding further insult, the ottoman’s size dwarfed the chair somehow. Also there were some issues to do with the chair’s physical comfort.

A few days ago she happened by my humble and smaller-than-hers dwelling. Crossing over the threshold of my front door she familiarly and relaxedly sat down comfortably onto my only piece of furniture in my place, my loveseat. This loveseat has been my couch/easy chair for many a year now and she is most accustomed to it. Upon sitting down she took me by surprise with a move I’d never seen her make before. She suddenly lowered her head looking down, moving her head back and forth slowly, investigating the cushion, as if seeing it for the very first time. Then, with her palms splayed out to either side of her, she tenderly with affection gently rubbed the fabric. And after a moment she casually lifted her head, looked directly into my eyes and said, “This couch is very even, level. It has very good support. It’s very comfortable.”

–Michael Cooke