Chalk Squares

Stepping beyond the front gate, I followed the quiet brick sidewalk down the street toward the neighborhood park. On the smooth asphalt path near the swings, someone had drawn a hopscotch grid in crisp pastel chalk. The bright blue and yellow squares were just wide enough for three paces each. I paused to gauge the distance, then hopped lightly from number one to two, keeping my knees bent to land without a sound. Reaching the wide semi-circle at number eight, I turned on my heels, thoroughly pleased with my balance, and dusted a smudge of yellow chalk from the edge of my shoe.