A Rolling Chase

A lightweight white ball sat wedged against the wooden foot of the armchair. I pressed my dark arm against its curve. It popped loose with a sudden, hollow snap and spun onto the bare oak floor. The speed caught me off guard. On the thick rug it had stayed completely motionless, but across the slick polish it skittered in a wide arc. I took three quick, lengthened strides to catch up. Just before it tapped the baseboard, I dropped my weight low and swept my left arm flat to trap it. The thin plastic shell vibrated softly against my limb, warm with trapped air.