Tiana kicks the red ball high. It flies over the fence into the tall grass.
The boy runs after it. His sneakers thump loudly on the pavement behind her.
She hides behind the oak tree. The shadow is huge. The ball is gone.
The boy points to a tiny hole. 'Look there,' he says softly.
Tiana drops to her knees. She digs with both hands, scooping up damp earth.
A worm wiggles free. The boy laughs quietly.
She finds the ball. Her fingers tremble holding the muddy sphere.
She offers it to him. He wipes the dirt on his jeans and smiles.