A Row of Three Stars

I opened a clear little plastic case of pastel heart-shaped paper clips because my fingers needed a quiet sorting task. Kneeling down on the sunny carpet, I laid out three clips along the edge of a plain white cardboard tag. The tiny metal curve pinched slightly stiff against my plush thumb when I tried to slide the pink one on, and a sharp prickle tightened in my throat. I stopped right away, pressed both plush hands against the warm carpet, and breathed out four long counts. Once my shoulders loosened, I nudged the pink, lavender, and butter-yellow clips into an exact spaced line. Seeing their scalloped tops pointing straight makes everything feel gentle and steady.