Scale the Heights

Cardio meets vertical mobility. I trotted from the kitchen to the base of the tall wooden bookshelf. Three thick hardcover novels were stacked unevenly like stadium bleachers. I braced my arms against the lowest leather spine, dug my stubby feet in, and hauled myself upward one level at a time. On the middle step sat a brass bookmark shaped like an arrow. I straddled it, locked my midsection tight, and flexed hard against the cool metal gleam. Peak elevation achieved. Flawless execution.