Setting the Tempo

I jogged back inside after sunset and scrambled up onto the corner desk. Nestled between two thick hardcovers sat a triangular wooden metronome with an exposed brass pendulum. I flipped the latch free and gave the metal arm a gentle nudge. Tick, tock, tick, tock! That steady beat echoed through the quiet room. Instead of trying to outrun it, I reached up and nudged the brass weight down to quicken the pace, then pushed it high up the rod to slow it right down. The lazy, rhythmic sweep was surprisingly relaxing. I leaned back against the polished wood and let the ticking wind down into silence.