This gives me a horror and suspense vibe. Nice

Cleverly penned, Peter. Another excellent write with delicate layers my friend. Amazing read as always. Appreciate you.

Damian

Painfully sweet and the hopeful part had me smiling. Excellant

Thanks Damien and Fia for reading and commenting……I do love tomatoes and I’m sure you do also.🍎

There’s a damn clean erotic metaphor here, with the unripe tomato carrying desire in its tension—green, clenched, sun-warmed, and waiting for the moment when restraint finally gives way. The ending lands hard because “hard and hopeful” collapses the whole image back into the speaker, turning ripeness into both longing and surrender.