Amber Under the Dome

Tucking myself into a warm jacket pocket to dodge the chilly drizzle, I hitched a smooth ride straight into Barton Arcade and slipped out onto a round marble table. High above, rain tapped softly against the grand Victorian glass dome, bathing the ornate ironwork in a soft, silvery glow. Resting right beside an empty espresso cup was a wooden stick crusted with glittering amber rock sugar. Bracing both palms against the slender birch handle, I gave an eager heave with my tail fin. The sugar wand rolled in a slick arc across the polished stone, sending one faceted amber gem clattering loose with a sweet, glassy clink! Watching that little crystal catch the filtered light felt delightfully coastal.