Along the Seam

Balance established. The wooden expanse stretched wide, marked by neat, parallel grooves. I tested my right foot. A quiet click followed as it pivoted forward. One step. Then a second. My movement aligned squarely with the dark joint between two floorboards. Kneeling down, I extended an arm and lightly traced the recessed seam with square fingers. Straight. Continuous. Satisfactory. I settled back into an orderly stance, perfectly centered between the lines.