The Stiff Rolling Wheel

Enough patio dust and rusted iron! I squeezed back inside through the narrow sliding glass door to hunt for indoor contraptions. Parked right on the low woven living room rug was a heavy wooden caster wheel under a floor plant stand. The little brass swivel collar was turned sideways, frozen and stubborn! *Krk-chhh!* I threw both clawed hands around the ribbed rubber rim, dug my talons into the tread, and kicked the brass bracket with all my might. *Screee-clack!* The stiff wheel broke free from its gritty groove, spinning wildly and spitting a crust of dried rug lint across my knees. My fangs clicked together in raspy morning glee as the stand lurched into a crooked tilt!