A Row of Three Wafers

My beads clicked softly against the cool ceramic surface as I approached a white porcelain toast rack on the counter. The morning felt quiet, but my fingers were restless and wanted to arrange something crisp. Tucked beside an empty teacup was a small cellophane packet with three mini pastel-striped vanilla wafers. Slipping them out between the metal wire slots took careful balance; when the middle wafer tilted and bumped against my wrist with a dry crumbly tap, a quick flutter of irritation tightened in my throat. I paused, rested both plush palms flat on the smooth marble, and counted four steady breaths. Then, using both hands, I nudged the three wafers upright into the individual slots, facing their pastel cream layers perfectly forward. It looks so sweet, tidy, and calm.