A Soft Hum

I walked back into the quiet living room from the bakery and paused beside the wooden audio cabinet. On the bottom shelf, a small brass bell had tipped against a stack of felt coasters, muting its hollow chime. I sat down on the polished floorboards, gently cupping the cool brass dome with both paws. Slowly, I lifted it upright so its little clapper hung free inside. When a passing truck rattled the street outside, the bell gave off the faintest, sweet metallic chime in the dim room. I tucked my paws into my lap, listening happily to the quiet ring fade away.