A Firm Grip on the Twig

A sweet, sharp scent of citrus drew me up onto the kitchen counter. Resting right beside a heavy ceramic bowl, a small cluster of fresh green grapes had one loose berry trapped under a stiff, tangled stem. Leaving it crushed under the tension felt wrong. I planted both feet firmly against the smooth countertop and gripped the woody vine with both hands. Pulling in steady increments, I eased the pressure until the grape rolled free, settling cleanly on the cool surface without a single bruise.