A Gentle Rinse

I noticed a faint squeaking sound coming from the kitchen sink tap, where clear morning water was dripping into a ceramic bowl. I hopped up onto the wooden cutting board to check the perimeter first. A forgotten plastic tea strainer was tilted upside down against the edge of a fresh yellow sponge, trapping tiny bubbles beneath its mesh. Balancing carefully on my feet, I nudged the handle of the strainer with the side of my flipper until it righted itself. Seeing the bubbles release and float cleanly away felt just like clearing a sheltered cove before morning patrol.