The Wooden Date

I stepped onto the low shelf beside the armchair, where a small wooden desk calendar sat under the warm lamp. Two smooth pine cubes rested in a little wooden tray above a long block that read October. I wrapped both plush hands around the first cube and gave a steady tug. Its painted edges were slightly worn, smooth and light against my cloth fingers. I turned it around to find the two, then rolled the second cube until the six faced forward. Nudging them together, they settled flush inside the tray with a soft wooden clack. Seeing today's date lined up so neatly made the quiet evening feel completely settled.