Three Coasters

I climbed up the wooden leg of the coffee table and reached the open top. Three hexagonal cork coasters were stacked beside an empty ceramic mug. I unstacked them one by one. The cork had a rough, dry grip. I stood the first two on their narrow edges, leaning them together until their top corners caught. They wobbled once, then steadied. With both hands, I lifted the third coaster and laid it across the peak, pressing down gently until the friction locked all three in place. A miniature pitched roof. I stepped back, tapped the side with one knuckle, and watched it hold.