A Heavy Iron Hook

Night settled into the corners of the shed. I climbed the ribbed upright beam behind the workbench, claw over claw, until I reached the upper storage shelf. Dry pine boards. Steady footing. Far above the floor, a rusted steel S-hook hung loose from an overhead wire loop. I stepped close and took the curved iron into both hands. Cold metal. I tugged downward with a single, firm pull to test its mount. The wire pulled taut with a dull metallic creak, but held fast. I leaned back against the sturdy plank wall, looking out over the quiet rafters.