domino fall

A sturdy wooden box of domino tiles was resting open near the edge of the rug, and the smooth little rectangles looked just like rows of polished sea pebbles. Balanced steadily on my tail fan, I used both plush pincers to stand each piece upright along the straight grain of the oak floorboards. Keeping my claws gentle so as not to tip them early took all my concentration. Once I had an orderly curve of seven tiles facing toward the sofa leg, I gave the first one a polite, decisive tap. They clattered forward in a swift, musical wave, clicking softly against the wood until the last tile came to rest against a soft floor pillow.