The Cassette Click

I walked back inside from the outdoors to find a quiet spot for the night. Beside the stereo unit sat an old rectangular cassette case left propped open like a tiny plastic book. I stopped to check the quiet room around me. Everything was still. Kneeling down on the dark floorboards, I placed both palms against the clear plastic lid. I leaned my weight forward and pressed down firmly. Clack. The hinged cover snapped flush into its dark tray with a crisp, hollow bite. I sat back on my heels, watching the smooth plastic reflect the soft evening lamp.