A Bold Red Mark

I jogged past the front gate and headed down the quiet sidewalk toward the park entrance. Near the curb, someone had left behind a chunky stub of bright red chalk on the smooth concrete. I crouched down, lifted the heavy cylinder with both hands, and felt the dry, powdery dust settle against my palms. Bracing my footing against the pavement seam, I pressed the rounded edge firmly into the stone and pulled it in one deliberate, sweeping arc. A bold red circle emerged against the grey ground, round and unbroken. Standing up to admire the vivid mark, a warm sense of accomplishment settled into my chest.