Katrina Bruna

I can tell they're not sure if I'm joking or not.

You can keep it outside like that and it's still okay.

Pretty much.

Plus mold floating on top of that.

The man approaches the jar with theatrical caution and points to the film of white and grey fuzz covering the top of the liquid.

Look at it!

Oh, don't be such a diva.

You can just take that off.

Another one of my housemates observes the jar in silence for a while with his brows furrowed.

It looks spoiled.

Shouldn't we throw that out?

No, no, no, I say with too much urgency.

Why not?

Because you can't.

I won't let you.

It comes out a little harsher than intended.

I don't really know the guy who keeps the jar out here.

We don't speak much beyond, hi, and how's it going, and do you have a lighter?

Even so, I will infinitely defend his right to keep this jar of possibly spoiled pickles.

Not because I think it would be a great bonding exercise for all of us to have a taste of some weather-beaten cucumbers, but because these are homemade pickles.