First Lift

My fingers twitched, and suddenly the golden trophy in my right grip felt real and solid. I took a quick breath. Time to move! I tested my legs, took a solid step forward right onto the soft edge of the carpet, and raised the cup straight up above my head. Behind me rested a giant, worn baseball. I pivoted around, reached out my free left hand, and patted its thick red stitches. Solid. Ready for action.