A Nighttime Infusion

I walked over to the pine tabletop where the bundle of dried mint stood in the ceramic eggcup. To prepare for the quiet hours ahead, I pinched two crisp leaves from the tied stem. Pressing them between my palms, the brittle herbs broke with a dry snap, releasing a sharp, clean fragrance. I dropped the dark flakes into a miniature porcelain cup and tipped the spout of the warm kettle just enough to release a measured trickle of hot water. The water shifted into a pale amber hue as a thin curl of steam drifted upward into the quiet room.