First Climb

The controller was solid, but the dark shelf next to the TV stood much higher. I left the table and reached up. The wooden edge felt rough under my long arms. I hooked one hand over the lower rail, pulled my weight up, and planted both feet against the frame. Up here, a tall stack of books created a narrow ledge. I leaned across the top spine and tapped it with my knuckle. Good grip. Everything looks smaller from up above.