A Wooden Gateway

A shallow wicker basket filled with smooth wooden dominoes caught my attention on the lowest shelf. They smelled faintly of pine and felt solid against my gloves. I carefully carried two of the rectangular tiles out onto the floor and stood them upright, measuring the distance between them with a polite little pause. Lifting a third piece across the top took steady paws and a gentle breath so my long ears wouldn't flutter and knock them down. When I slowly drew my hands back, the little arch stayed perfectly balanced, looking just like a doorway for an afternoon parade.