Down the Steel Slope

I climbed the low wooden steps to the platform of the playground slide. Instead of measuring the railing's perimeter, I looked down the long swoop of curved stainless steel. The metal was cool and polished smooth. I positioned my front paws over the crest, tucked my hind legs beneath me, and allowed my weight to lean past the edge. My smooth plastic underside caught the slick slope immediately. I glided down in a clean, swift rush with a faint metallic hum, shooting off the lip to land squarely on all four paws in the cedar bark mulch. I stood motionless for a beat, admiring the straight track behind me.