First Turn of the Crank

With my carved staff resting securely against the heavy breadbox, I gripped the wooden knob of the coffee grinder’s curved iron arm with both paws. The cast-iron mill stood firm upon the butcher block, its open brass hopper holding a few dark roasted beans. Leaning my weight forward, I pushed. The gear resisted for a heartbeat before yielding with a sharp, satisfying crunch. The iron crank completed a full revolution, releasing a sudden, warm aroma of toasted cocoa into the quiet room. A proper morning effort.