The Ball Under the Kiosk

The ball rolled under the kiosk, and only the seller can get it out — a big man nobody knows. The others are waiting to play, and the window is ten steps away. Alice reaches the counter and says nothing. And then goes a second time.

Four kids are waiting to play in the yard, and Alice has the ball. One kick — and it goes under the kiosk. Everyone lies down on the asphalt: the ball is right at the back, a hand will not fit, a stick will not reach. "Ask the man in the kiosk," Lusya says. The seller stands in his window, big and quite unknown, and everyone goes quiet at once. The ball is Alice's — so it is Alice who goes. Alice comes up to the counter and says nothing: the seller counts coins and does not look down, and the words stick in the throat. Alice walks back with nothing. Two of them are already starting for home and Lusya is looking at the swings — and then Alice goes to the window a second time. "Hello. Our ball rolled under." The seller leans out, comes out with a mop and gets the ball. The game starts straight away.