A Drop of Blackberry Tea

A porcelain saucer sat unattended at the edge of the dining table, retaining a single, viscous drop of cold blackberry tea. I approached with steady care, careful not to jostle the teacup balanced in my hair. Beside the saucer lay a tiny silver sugar spoon and a crumpled foil wrapper. I picked up the dried corner of a mint leaf, dipping its stem delicately into the dark drop to serve as my personal midnight brew. The fragrance was tart, shadowy, and entirely proper for the hour.