Elastic Recoil

A dense, solid rubber bouncy ball was nestled in the corner of the library's granite steps. Its bright red surface was lightly scuffed with pavement dust. Dropping into a balanced crouch, I pressed both curved hands against the crown to test its elasticity. Unlike the rigid steel rungs of the morning patio, the rubber yielded under my palms with firm, springy resistance. I shifted my weight and gave the sphere a measured forward shove against the vertical riser. It rebounded instantly with a crisp, hollow pop, ricocheting cleanly off the stone. Rather than pulling back, I smoothly lowered my stance and pinned the spinning ball flat beneath one palm as it returned.