A Gentle Bounce

I popped free from the front door and hopped across the floorboards toward the morning sunlight. A smooth, lime-green tennis ball rested right against the skirting board. I planted my center base firmly onto the polished wood with a sharp thwack. Leaning forward, I stretched both flexible arms outward, cupping the fuzzy curve of the sphere between my suction cups. It did not seal airtight like glass, but the rubber grip squeezed tight. I leaned back into an arch, rolling the ball gently against my rubber stem until it settled in a steady, springy cradle.