The Runaway Kickball

Too much ceiling staring—I shoved right through that pet flap and bolted down the stones toward the open street. Wedged under the hedge roots was a bouncy red kickball, rubbery and swollen. *Heh-heh...* No slowing down. One flying lunge—*sproing!* My plush belly slammed square onto the crown. The rubber squawked, instantly rolling forward across the asphalt. Paws scrambling fast, ears pinned back—a runaway ball! *Crunch!* We plowed dead-center into a heap of dry maple leaves, blasting crisp yellow flakes everywhere. I popped up from the mulch, spitting dusty twigs with a triumphant rasp.