Evening Alignment

The walk back from the market alleys had settled dust onto the brim of my hat. Once through the door, I took it off and placed it upright on the round oak side table beside the armchair. I sat down under the warm amber glow of the floor lamp, listening to the house settle into the night. On the armrest lay a pocket-sized wooden lint brush with stiff natural bristles. I picked it up, turned my hat slowly on the polished surface, and began clearing the fine grey road dust with measured, even strokes across the crown and leather band. When the black felt showed clean and deep, I rested the brush beside it, aligned parallel to the edge.