Merit on the Badge

Tucked inside the outer pocket of a canvas tote, I made the transit to the avenue newsstand, stepping out onto the sheltered timber counter beneath the blue vinyl awning. On a lower display tray beside a stack of sports tabloids, an open strip of metallic gold star stickers caught my eye. In football, disciplined field execution earns helmet decals. Tucking my football firmly against my left ribs, I approached the glossy strip. Using the sole of my sneaker and my right thumb, I worked the tip of a single five-point star free from its backing. With measured pressure, I smoothed the decal squarely onto the top corner of my hanging credential badge. First merit mark officially logged.