The Orderly Tower

Three shiny copper coins lay scattered in an uneven diagonal across the floorboards. Far too haphazard... I froze instantly, clamping both hands over my face for two quiet breaths. Listening hard. Complete silence. Coast clear. Step one: shuffle closer and nudge the thickest coin flat against the skirting board. It made a solid base. Step two: push the second coin up onto the smooth copper face with both curved hands. Click. Step three: lift the last coin into place, carefully tapping the milled ridges until all three edges lined up flush. A perfectly vertical tower. Solid. Predictable. The floor feels tidy and orderly once again.