The Natural

Flooded by an unexpected storm, a watercourse builds above Arizona Road, sweeps down Gordon Street and spins eddies right in front of the new kid's house before rushing on. He watches from behind the curtain.

"Come help unpack," his mother calls. "You can break up the boxes." She smiles as he slumps into the kitchen chair. Then, inspired, he takes an empty crate, pulls the tape off, collapsing the cardboard. With it under his arm, he is out the door into the rain to flop the board onto the surging current and, chest down, rides the swell away.