A Tower of Paper Cups

I found a sleeve of fluted paper baking cups resting beside a large yellow bowl. Sitting down carefully so the hem of my robe wouldn't catch on the counter edge, I peeled one crinkly liner from the stack. It made a soft, papery sigh between my fingers. One by one, I turned them upside down, testing their edges and balancing them into a quiet little tower. When the fifth cup began to sway ever so slightly, I held my breath, gently touching its rim with both hands until it settled into a sturdy balance.