A Hollow Return

I followed the shady park path until I reached the outdoor recreation terrace. Resting on the dark green concrete ping-pong table was an abandoned, seamless white ball. I paused... checking the distance to the perforated steel net. Stepping forward across the smooth painted slab, I squared my boots. Leaning in with both flipper sleeves, I gave the hollow sphere a measured, gentle shove. It zipped across the green surface with a hushed rattle, tapped the metal net with a crisp, hollow pop, and rolled obediently right back to my boots. Stopping it cleanly between my sleeves made me smile.