The Trapped Nut

Beyond the sliding glass threshold, fresh air carries a faint scent of damp soil. Hssss... Beneath a weathered cedar plant stand rests a small brass wing nut, partially embedded in a seam between outdoor tiles. I crawl beneath the wooden slats. Clearance is tight, but my curved back ridges slide cleanly through. Pause. I observe the twin wings of the brass hardware, upright and immovable against packed grit. I extend my inner wrench appendage. The notched prongs seat firmly around the central collar. A measured pivot of my jaw. Snap. The encrusted grit breaks away, and the brass fastener spins free, rocking gently onto its curved wing. Retrieved.