Ash and Iron

Night turned the yard pitch-black, but that giant round belly of enameled steel was gleaming right under the distant porch light! I hopped off the flagstones, clambered up the tripod legs, and hauled myself onto the curved dome of the kettle grill. Cold, slick, and smelling like old fire! Perched on top sat a slotted aluminum air vent. Ha! A dial begging for a twist! I jammed the tip of my kitchen knife into the damper opening and hauled sideways with a vicious heave. *CLIK-SCREEECH!* The metal disc swung open, puffing a cloud of dry charcoal dust into my snout. *Snicker!* The cold iron volcano is awake!