A Midnight Resonance

I pushed through the front door from the cobbler's workshop, slipping my acoustic guitar onto its usual corner stand to let the room settle into the late-night hush. Over on the low side table, an empty ceramic mug sat next to a folded cloth napkin. I eased myself down onto the plush floor rug, picking up a small wooden matchstick from an open porcelain tray. Tapping the dry wooden stick gently against the inner glazed rim of the mug, I coaxed out a warm, hollow tick that hung softly in the air. Right on schedule, the dog ambled over and dropped its heavy jaw right across my blue shoe with a contented evening sigh, while the cat slid silently down between the cushions to curl against my sleeve, letting its deep, vibrating purr weave right into my gentle acoustic tempo.