A measured ramp

A wooden ruler was leaning against the bottom shelf of the bookcase. I paused a short distance away to inspect the markings. The tiny black lines and numbers—1, 2, 3—were stamped neatly down the yellow wood. It created a narrow, straight incline leading to the floor. I aligned my board with number twelve at the top. I nudged the tail with one foot. The wheels buzzed softly against the wooden tick marks all the way down, coasting onto the slick tile in a straight path. Each little number clicked beneath the wheels like a steady clock.