In March, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community.
After a sweaty game of pickleball, Julia and I ducked into the ladies room for a quick hand washing. I'd borrowed a demo paddle, and you never know who might have been using it before. (Another potential slice.)
As we left the bathroom, I pulled the door open, just as someone on the other side was going to push it. When I tell you that the result was almost calamitous, I'm not exaggerating.
The woman was looking anywhere but forward as she went to push the door open, and there was no door to push open. Have you ever done that? Gone to push something that you thought was there and had nothing there? It's that feeling of thinking there's another step at the bottom or the staircase...
Luckily for her, I was watching her, and I leaned in as she fell into me.
"Oh," she said. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying any attention."
Julia and I had a good laugh as we left the club.
"There's my slice," I said. "It even has a remote moral of paying attention and being present."
And, it's safe to say that the dangers of pickleball extend beyond the court!
Yup, the feeling is the best when you take a small moment in this case, seconds, and turn it into a piece with a moral- nicely done. I've got to get myself going on pickleball more!
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect example of a small moment! You zoomed in to just the 30 seconds when you and another vied for the same space, which can't happen. The phrase you included in the last line (the dangers of pickleball) gave me a chuckle, too! Glad you safely had a good pickleball outing!
ReplyDeleteLuckily you were paying attention! I can't help but wonder what might have happened if you had, in that same moment, looked back for a second. How many close calls happen in a given day? we'll never know. In this case, the worst was avoided.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm all too often the one daydreaming or not paying attention. I enjoyed this slice and appreciate the reminder!
ReplyDeleteLiving like a writer…thank goodness you were wide awake! ❤️Jess
ReplyDeleteShe was lucky you caught her. That could've ended badly for her!
ReplyDelete