On a warm summer day,
all the kids are outside.
We’re playing an intense game of dodge ball
with the babysitter,
the devil,
my mom.

Green leaves blowing in the wind,
cool us off from jumping and running.

Retrieving the giant blue ball,
the old lady gives me an evil eye.
I take off sprinting.
Laughter erupts as the bouncy ball
soars through the air.

THUMP!

I lose my balance,
skidding head first down the street,
and scrape my entire body.
I whimper as I see the blood soak
my torn white t-shirt.

I’m rushed to the bench
to be cleaned up.
Afterwards, I wipe my tears, grin
and dash back out.