Fast Descent

Pushed the screen door open. Walked two blocks along the cracked pavement to the empty playground. Found the slide. Long, steep chute of galvanized steel bolted above the sand. Climbed the iron ladder. Rungs shuddered beneath my boots. Reached the crest. Sat down. Pointed boots down the chute. Let go. No friction. Gravity grabbed my bulk. Metal hissed. Rush of air. Pure velocity. Slammed into the sand pit. PHOOF. Plowed a trench straight through the grit. Sand sprayed high. Came to a dead halt in the dirt. Shook off the dust. Unbroken. Fast ride.