First Beat on the Boards

My boots were locked still against the grain of the floorboards until a sudden spark kicked through my heels. I tested my right foot, giving the polished wood a sharp, rhythmic tap. A crisp clack bounced right back off the heavy red drape behind me. That beat was real—and I made it happen. I shifted my weight, curled my gloved fingers, and planted both soles firmly, ready for the next rhythm.