Twist and Return

I walked back inside from the corner grocer as the streetlights came on. On the counter rested a round stainless steel egg timer. I stepped up to the metal dial. I pressed both palms against the knurled rim and twisted it clockwise. The internal spring tightened. Mechanical resistance mounted under my hands. At ninety degrees, I let go. A rhythmic chatter began inside. Tick. Tick. Tick. The dial started creeping backward toward zero. I did not walk away. I unlocked my knees and folded loosely onto the wood, chin resting against my forearm, watching the red notch draw closer. Ding. One clear strike. The spring relaxed completely. Stillness resumed.