Chalking the Course

A chunky nub of yellow sidewalk chalk was sitting right against the driveway curb. I hopped down from the shoe bench, slipped past the front door, and marched down the porch steps to grab it. The thing weighed almost as much as my arm, but when I dragged the blunt tip across the rough asphalt, it laid down a thick, powdery golden stripe. I leaned my weight into it and carved a sweeping hairpin curve right across the concrete apron, capping it off with three bold start-line dashes. Chalk dust puffed everywhere, but now the driveway has an official racing lane.