The Forgotten Whistle

I walked over to the wooden bleachers beside the field just as the park lamps hummed to life. Right on the corner of the low step, half-tucked under a fallen leaf, was a bright yellow plastic referee whistle with a faded blue lanyard. I hopped up, gripped the loop with both hands, and tugged it free. It had a little dried mud on the side, but the small pea inside rattled briskly when I gave it a shake. I tucked the lanyard over my shoulder like a sash—definitely keeping this ready for the next casual game!