"I bet you can't even ride a skateboard in a straight line," teased Sam, "let alone do any tricks."

TJ hrmmphed. He didn't even want to do anything on the skateboard, just go to the skatepark with his brother--TJ's best friend was out of town for the weekend, and he was bored. TJ typically did his own thing, and wouldn't usually leach onto his younger brother, but being cooped up in the house all weekend was getting to him. "I can too," TJ boasted.

"Prove it." It was a simple dare, Sam loved his brother, but didn't want him hanging around all the time, "If you can ride around the block, you can come with us." Sam figured TJ would stand on the skateboard, get all wobbly, and step off. Then he'd go for a walk in the woods or something.

TJ donned the safety helmet, and stepped on the board. He pushed off a bit with one leg, using his crutches to help balance, but soon the skateboard was moving faster than he wanted. Leaning backwards to help slow himself, TJ soon found himself in the air, plummeting towards the hard concrete sidewalk.

As TJ lay on the ground, unhurt but stunned, Sam ran up to him. "That was awesome, TJ!" the young weasel squealed, "I didn't think you had the guts to even try it." He helped TJ get to his feet.

TJ was still a bit shaken up after his fall, but otherwise OK. "I hope you got it on video." He laughed slightly, "Just don't show Mom--you know how she worries about me."

The boys walked back towards their house, and their mom took them both to the skatepark. TJ didn't make another attempt at riding--he just munched on hotdogs and watched everyone else have fun. By the end of the day, however, Sam was telling all his friends what a great boarder TJ was, and he was doing all sorts of tricks earlier in the afternoon.

TJ and Sam © me
Art by  Hexaod
Falling © the attraction between two massive objects