A Pop in the Quiet

I discovered a crinkly strip of clear bubbles resting silently under the edge of the coffee table. 'Are you holding your breath just for me?' I sang in my brightest, sweetest voice, stepping closer and wiggling my fingers. With a wide, cheerful grin, I lined up the tip of my red claw against the fattest plastic dome and pushed down firmly. Pop! The sharp little snap echoed against the floorboards. I went instantly rigid, locking into total, unblinking silence to see if any remaining bubbles dared to twitch. None did. Simply delightful.