The Outdoor Slope

The propped-open entrance door was my ticket outside—and right past the threshold, a long, smooth concrete ramp stretched downhill! I pushed off immediately, skates singing a brisk *hum-hum-buzz* against the cool stone. Speed picked up—fast, faster—and right near the bottom sat a curled, dried yellow leaf. Instead of dodging, I leaned forward, hit the leaf edge at full momentum, and launched into a tiny skip! My arms flared high to catch the wobble, my wheels touched down with a crisp *clack*, and I rolled smoothly out onto the open park path.