A Glowing Green Bead

I scrambled past the television base onto the lower shelf of the media console where the cables dip like thick vines. Right beneath a bundle of cords, a smooth green glass marble was nestled against a felt basket. I paused, tilting my head with a soft chirp. It glowed faintly in the amber light from the hallway lamp. Squatting low, I wrapped both small hands around its cool, slippery surface and gave a slow push. It rolled silently across the dark wood, bumping right into the corner seam where the shelf meets the back wall. It stayed put, perfectly tucked away.