A Gentle Turn

I noticed a faint amber shine catching on a thick glass drawer pull near the floor lamp. Moving with slow, measured steps across the quiet oak boards, I reached the warm circle of evening light. The round knob was loose, sitting tipped against the base of the lamp with its threaded brass post pointing out. I paused, watching the lamplight glow through the amber glass facets. Very deliberately, I reached out both curved claws and gave the brass post a gentle turn. It pivoted with a soft, clean scrape against the wood, settling firmly into a seam between the floorboards. I lowered my chin flat beside the heavy, cool glass, listening to the house settle into night.