Nighttime Clockwork

Strolled back inside after the long day out and hitched a ride up onto the wooden side table next to the armchair. Found an old wind-up mechanical alarm clock resting on a stack of coasters. Its metal gears were giving off this steady, muffled tick right through the polished mahogany. I leaned my back against an empty ceramic pencil pot, kicked one sneaker over the other, and gently tapped my gloved knuckle against the round metal bell on top. A soft, tiny ring joined the ticking, just enough of an easy rhythm to let the whole house drift right into bedtime.