A Soft Glow

A soft amber glow appeared along the underside of the low shelf, cutting across the dark grain of the floorboards. I stepped forward, measuring the distance with two steady paces. Resting one knee against the polished floor, I angled my handheld console slightly to catch the ambient light on its edge. A glossy game cartridge case lay propped against a stack of discs just ahead. I reached out and gently nudged the corner of the plastic sleeve. It tilted inward with a quiet tap, settling against the wooden upright. Everything here is orderly for the night.