A Clean Alignment

I came inside from the garden as evening settled over the house, heading straight for the quiet kitchen counter. Beside a ceramic mug rack lay a small metal tea scoop, rolled awkwardly on its side against an open box of wooden toothpicks. One stray toothpick had wedged tightly beneath the curved silver handle, leaving the scoop propped unsteadily at an angle. I stepped up, planted my feet firmly on the polished laminate, and gripped the wooden pick with both hands. Pulling in steady, measured increments, I eased it free and set the scoop flat against the counter, perfectly straight and ready for use.