Walking the Trail

Mr. Caswell, who’s been my gym teacher all through middle and high school, announces the day’s options for gym class: ultimate frisbee or “walking the trail” (the hallway/staircase loop immediately outside the school gym). I consider these, but decide on another activity: a trip to ShopRite. I slip away after he takes attendance, walk two minutes to town, and get my usual: a corn muffin and Arizona Sweet Tea. The next day, Mr. Caswell asks where I was yesterday. “Walking the trail.” He practically apologizes for asking, “people slip away sometimes, but I know you would never do that...”