Rebound

Cold patio was done. Slipped back indoors through the rubber flap and hit the oak hallway. Pitch black, dead quiet. My boot tapped something heavy near the floor runner—a solid chrome ball bearing wedged against the grain. Free of dirt. I gave it a sharp flick with my toe. The steel shot straight across the planks, cracked off the corner baseboard with a clean snap, and banked right back to my stance. Trapped it flush under my instep. Ran four more rebounds off the oak moulding, tracking the angle every time. Smooth roll. Zero give. Pinned the iron against the runner and took five.