Down the Trough

Spotted three smooth, heavy buckeyes tucked against the damp foundation bricks. Picked one up. Cool rind, slick as glass in my paw. I hauled myself up onto the head of the green plastic splash block angling out from the downspout. Sat square on the rim, set the nut right in the middle groove, and gave it an easy shove. It rattled fast down the ribbed plastic, clattering all the way to the tip before skipping out into the clover. Good run. Lined up the other two to see which went farthest. Took my time watching them kick through the grass. The scuffed one took the lead.