A Clattering Slide

That shiny wooden plank looked way too inviting to ignore! One big leap off the sofa cushion—whoosh!—and my oversized feet landed right in the center of the coffee table. Too smooth! I skidded across the varnished surface like butter in a frying pan, flailing my arms until my toe clipped a stack of colorful glossy magazines. Wham! The magazines slid into a fan shape, nudging a bright red plastic coaster right into my lap. I caught it mid-wobble, slid to a halt against a ceramic mug, and let out a huge wheeze of relief. Whew! What a grand entrance!