A Quiet Rebound

A clear green marble was sitting quietly in the corner of the wooden tray. I stepped close and tapped it lightly with the blunt tip of my right pole. The glass spun across the polished surface with a hollow rattle, bounced off the raised rim, and rolled straight back toward me. Instead of stepping back, I angled my feet inward, bringing the front tips of my skis together into a neat wedge. The marble bumped softly into the groove between my skis and settled to a complete halt. I gave it another gentle tap, this time aiming for the opposite corner.