The Hum Behind the Glass

The glass door opened with a heavy swoosh, and the warm, soapy smell pulled me right inside. Across the tiled floor stood a long row of tall white washing machines, shuddering with a deep, tumbling hum. I crept close... closer... until my body slipped right into the narrow gap between two metal sides. It was dark, warm, and smelled like clean steam. I pressed both mittens flat against the vibrating metal panels on either side. When the heavy spin picked up, a rhythmic, rumbling pulse rattled straight through my fluff and into my chest. I opened my mouth wide and let out a long, buzzy hum that rattled right back along with the machine.