The Low Rumble

A deep, rhythmic murmur drew me past the doorway. It was not the floor lamp. Near the base of the white counter, a small robotic vacuum sat quietly docked, pulsing with a faint, warm drone. I halted, paws planted solidly on the cool linoleum. I tilted my head. It smelled of motor warmth and dry floor dust. Slowly, I took one cautious step and rested my chin against its smooth bumper, feeling the soothing hum tremble straight through my plush chest.