A Matter of Clearance

A row of hardcover books on the second shelf leaned toward the wall at an uneven slope. I stepped onto the flat oak surface to inspect the angle of the end volume. Rather than pushing directly against its spine, I wedged my shoulder against the lower board and braced my boots on the shelf grain. A slow, measured lean produced a steady friction slide. The volume straightened upright, meeting its adjacent neighbor with a firm, solid thud. With the gap closed and the vertical line restored, I locked my leg joints and stood at ease.