A Crisp Solar Slice

I scrambled back up onto the picnic table bench to see what was drying in the midday sun. Right beside a tin plate, a single dried apple chip was propped upright against a stainless steel fork. It was golden, curled into a deep bowl shape, with a little star-patterned core right in the center. I walked up, wrapped both arms around the sweet-smelling ring, and lifted it to check the airy crunch. I snapped off a crumbly edge with a quick twist. Sweet, tart, and warm from the sun, it tasted just like baked orchard leaves. It made the best sunny midday fuel.