The Shelf

“Working never hurt anyone, but why take a chance,” in black lettering adorned the side of the mug. Brown coffee stains ringed the inside of the cup. Faded yellow, green, and purple stings of beads lay in a heap. Dots of clean wood are reviled in the thick layer of dust when disturbed. Decals on the three beat-up matchbox cars were pealing off and sand clogged the wheels. The cars were loved once. A graduation cap hung from a nail pounded in the side of the shelf. A picture frame laid face down, buried in the dust. Did it simply fall over, or was it set this way for a reason?