Tonight Aki and I are prisoners on early release, walking through the woods to the beach. The wet grey blanket covering town all week brought a peaceful confinement. We tried breaking out last night with a muddy walk through the rain but needed this sun soaked evening to lift us out of our funk.

Blue berry brush lines the trail. Yesterday it glistened in a uniform coat left by the storm. Tonight rainwater coalesces in opal shaped jewels that glow in the low evening light. Without expecting it, I stumble on a bejewelled red huckleberry bush and wonder how long it has been since I tasted its tart fruit.  Only one berry still hangs beneath its lattice of small yellow-green leaves. I should leave the plump red miracle for the passing bear but pluck then eat it in one moment like an escapee on the run.