A Solid Strip of Grit

I strode down the avenue pavement, loops of my shopping bags resting firmly over my arm. Right outside the hardware shop entrance, a wire display rack of sample abrasive rolls had caught a stray blast from the street breeze, sending a coiled ribbon of coarse black grip tape tumbling across the concrete. I planted my sneakers squarely over the edge before it could roll into the gutter. Crouching low, I pinned the stiff textured backing flat against the pavement with one hand and gave the end a crisp, clean crease using my thumbnail. It stayed straight and unyielding, rough as sandpaper and completely ready for heavy duty.