A Notch to the Right

A narrow blade of sunlight cut across the coffee table, resting squarely on an old metal desk bell. I watched it from behind a stack of notebooks for several minutes, noting how the brass dome cast a distorted curve on the wood. When the dust settled, I stepped forward and pressed down gently on the top plunger. It resisted with a stiff spring, then gave a sharp, crystalline chime that echoed into the quiet room. The sudden vibration tickled through my padded hands, leaving a sweet ring hanging in the warm air.