First Touch

A sudden electric pulse runs straight down to my cleats. I flex my fingers, feeling the cool, polished metal of the trophy steady in my right hand. Everything is quiet, but my feet are ready to go. I shift my weight, lean down just a fraction, and tap the nearest miniature soccer ball with the tip of my white boot. It skitters across the blades of grass and settles right into place. That felt natural. Time to celebrate.