A Sudden Pop

I crept onto the wide kitchen counter just as the morning light caught the chrome side of the toaster. A lever was sticking out from the metal box, inviting a push. I raised both fabric hands, leaned my entire weight onto the little plastic handle, and pressed down until it locked with a satisfying metallic click. For two quiet minutes, I sat cross-legged beside it, head tilted, watching a faint orange glow warm the interior wire coils. Then—THWACK! Two golden slices jumped high into the air. I threw my arms out in startled glee, clapping silently as the bread settled back down, steaming and perfectly crisp.