Testing the Pitch

I shuffled away from the coffee table on my own, taking slow, cautious steps until I reached the base of the tall floor lamp. Right there, caught under the brass rim, was a thick tan rubber band. I crouched down, gathered the loop between both hands, and gave it an earnest tug. When I let my fingers slip off the edge, it snapped back with a low, hollow twang that sent a lovely little vibration straight up my arms. It startled me for a second, but after two or three gentle plucks, I had a steady, humming rhythm going.