A Soft Whir

I heard a tiny click... coming from the bottom stereo shelf. Keeping very low to the wooden floor, I took three quiet steps closer. A black cassette tape had slipped forward, resting flat on the boards. I... I stretched out one plush paw and poked the little white plastic wheel inside the spool. It turned with a faint, smooth rattle. When I pulled gently with my clawless paw, a tiny loop of shiny brown tape peeked out into the warm noon light, curling softly like a sleepy ribbon. I tucked my front paws close and rested my chin beside the smooth plastic case, watching the little reflection in the tape... wishing your warm fingers were holding mine to gently wind it back together.