The Glass Marble

A tiny clear glass marble rested in the low groove of the bedside table tray. I paused... waiting at a safe two-finger distance. Its rounded surface caught the faint glow of the nightstand lamp. When I nudged the edge of the woven coaster beside it, the bead wobbled... rolling three inches in a slow half-circle before bumping against a metal paperclip. The gentle click was very quiet. Instead of chasing it, I glided to the back of the coaster, settling into the still corner to watch its glossy reflection settle down.