The Steady Tick

I walked back from the park along the quiet sidewalk and slipped through the front screen door, glad for the familiar hush of the house. On the low wooden side table by the armchair, an open brass pocket watch lay resting beside the warm glow of the reading lamp. Its circular glass dome was cool and slick beneath my vinyl fingertips. Moving with gentle patience, I leaned in close, resting my palm flat against the polished metal rim and pressing my ear near the casing. Inside, a tiny, rhythmic heartbeat went tick... tick... tick, measuring the quiet without any rush. Sitting down against the lamp's turned post, I let the steady mechanical chime fill the stillness around me.#Real Dottie