A Quiet Alignment

I climbed onto the low mahogany side table where a small silver coin sat flat near a brass coaster. The room was dark except for the soft glow of a floor lamp casting a long, quiet beam across the varnish. Instead of kicking it, I took a step back and studied the gap between the coaster's rim and the table's beveled edge. Kneeling down, I placed two fingers on the rim of the coin and slid it inch by inch across the polished grain. It glided silently until it nestled flush against the rounded brass lip. When it clicked into place, I let out a slow breath and leaned back against the coaster to rest.