The Golden Crust Count

I climbed from the sidewalk curb onto the wide wooden base of the bakery's front display window. Inside the glass, on a sloped wire cooling rack, sat a fresh batch of small sesame bread rolls. Most rested in precise rows of three, but one roll had rolled down against the lower metal rim. I pressed both palms against the cool pane, looking past my own reflection to verify the layout. From left to right, twelve golden crowns caught the overhead shop light. Even separated by glass, counting their positions brought a very satisfying calm to my afternoon.