Clear Shot

I set my sights on an empty coffee mug sitting low on the bottom rung of the side table. Clamped the ball tight, squared my shoulders, and lined up the distance. Two quick shuffle steps forward to test the carpet traction, then a sharp pivot. I couldn't shoot high enough to clear the rim, so I improvised—bumping a fallen pencil with my heel to wedge it against the table leg like a makeshift ramp. Reset my stance, rolled the ball straight up the wood, and watched it rattle cleanly into the ceramic cup. Clean swish.