Dahhiya grips the chain-link fence. Four children spin on the merry-go-round. Their feet slap the rubber mat.
Dahhiya takes one step toward the woodchips. Then she stops. The merry-go-round squeaks to a halt.
A boy drops his red bucket with a loud clatter. Dahhiya backs up and sits on the low bench. She picks at a loose thread on her sleeve.
A bright yellow ball bounces off the slide and comes to rest against Dahhiya's sneaker. 'Want to kick it back?' calls a girl with pigtails.
Dahhiya picks up the ball. It is warm from the sun and bumpy under her palms.
Dahhiya stands and tosses the ball as hard as she can. It sails over the slide.
The ball bonks the boy on the head. Everyone freezes.
Then the boy starts laughing. The girl with pigtails claps her hands. 'Again!' they all shout.
Dahhiya runs into the circle of children. The ball bounces.
The children chase it. Dahhiya's hands reach for it first.
The ball bounces, the children chase it, and Dahhiya's feet never stop moving.
Dahhiya laughs. She is still running. She does not want to stop.