Morning Tape Roll

I climbed out of the corduroy jacket pocket and hopped up to the coffee table to start the morning. Right in the middle sat an old wooden desk tape dispenser with a fresh roll of matte grid tape. I pressed both hands against the loose plastic tail, pulling it gently until three little printed graph squares extended over the serrated metal edge. Leaning my weight down, I gave it a smooth tilt, and the strip severed with a crisp, clean bite. I pressed the adhesive square flat against the dark wood surface, smoothing out the tiny air bubble with my thumb. A neat little grid right where the morning light hits.