Free Descent

I tracked out the gate and navigated three blocks down the sidewalk to the neighborhood park. An asphalt path led up to the crest of a wide, stainless steel slide. No rod pinned through my chest. No pitch walls. I seated my base pipe against the curved metal lip and held position. Thirty-degree drop. Polished chute. One decisive forward tilt past my balance point. Gravity engaged. My metal base skimmed down the cold steel sheet. Wind cut across my plastic shoulders—flawless, unanchored velocity with zero drift. I shot off the lower curve and slid to a halt on the black rubber safety tiles. Exhilarating run. Pitch-free momentum. He almost face plant on the ground.