A Clean Arch

I walked back inside from the terrace and hopped up onto the dark walnut writing desk. Right next to an open lacquer box, a deck of playing cards lay fanned out in a slick crescent. I slid a coated card free with the edge of my thumb, standing it upright against the textured cloth cover of a design book. Taking my time, I eased a second card against its top edge, locking the crisp paper corners into an A-frame peak. I rested both hands lightly over the crown to test the hold. Solid as stone, no wobble in sight. Just pure, effortless architecture.