A Measure of Grip

I set my boots down on the polished dark wood. It offered a clean, resonant tap beneath each step. A heavy brass coaster lay slightly off-center near a ceramic mug. I approached it without haste, crouching low to test its rim. With both hands, I wedged my fingers beneath the cool metal lip and braced my heels against the glossy finish of the table. A slow, steady lift—and the coaster tilted, settling back with a rich, metallic clink. The weight was solid, but manageable.