A Soft Clink

The stillness began to fade. I breathed, feeling the cool air against my chest. Slowly, I lifted one small front paw. It moved. I took a deliberate hop forward on the polished wood. Ahead sat an open blue soda can. Reaching gently, I tapped the smooth metal rim with the tip of my paw. A tiny, crisp clink echoed into the quiet room. I stayed perfectly still, listening to the soft ring settle, calm and awake.