The Bedside Cadence

I slipped back indoors from the street and marched straight up the bedside drawers to the wooden top. Resting squarely upon a thick wool coaster sat a heavy silver pocket watch, ticking in a brisk, quiet tempo. Tick-tick-tick! A splendid evening cadence! I stepped right beside the ribbed metal casing and caught the winding crown with both gloved hands. One deliberate twist! Click-click. The miniature spring tightened with a crisp, reassuring purr. With the works fully primed, I planted my boots and leaned my back against the circular silver bow ring. My control strings eased loose into the shadows. A dependable night watch!