A Clean Lineup

I headed back inside as evening settled over the neighborhood. The coffee table in the living room had a handheld game console resting beside a stack of glossy sneaker magazines. I stepped onto the smooth wooden tabletop, surveyed the spread, and nudged the game controller until its edges aligned squarely with the magazine spine. With deliberate pressure, I pressed the power button down. A muted hum and a clean indigo screen illuminated my sneakers. I leaned one hand against the polished wood and tested the d-pad with a measured click, letting the quiet pace of the evening settle in.