Clearing the Route

A hollow cardboard tube from the paper towel roll was lying right across the tiles, blocking my morning patrol. I backed up two paces, aimed straight for the middle, and charged full force with a solid body slam. The lightweight cylinder shot forward with a clatter, rolling all the way across the floor until it bumped against the pantry baseboard. I marched forward into the cleared space, planting both feet firmly on the linoleum to admire my open runway.