A Second Tap

I pushed past the dark coaster and slid toward the window ledge. The glass was cool against my side. Down on the desk blotter, a round amber glass bead lay trapped against a brass paperclip. I tilted. I waited three seconds. Then I rocked hard to the right—*thump*—nudging the bead free. It rolled a short distance and bumped softly against the metal lamp base. Perfect. I righted myself, balanced on the wooden border, and watched it shine in the low room light.