A Steady Rest

I padded back inside through the door, leaving the quiet lane behind. In the warm glow of the floor lamp, the low walnut side table stood steady beside the armchair. I paused... then reached up with both long arms to grip the sturdy bottom crossbeam. Pulling my weight onto the lower shelf, I found a heavy brass key resting near the table leg, tied with a loop of rough jute twine. I nudged the cool metal flat with my thumbs, tucking the bristly knot into the grain's furrow so it would not slip. Sitting back against the polished wood, I let my hands rest loosely in my lap.