Mark's day

Mitt session with Lachie at four pm, the floor half full — Hannah on the bags, Josh shadow-boxing in the far corner, Rob wrapping a new fighter near the door. On the fourth combination the Velcro on Mark's right glove blows — three years past due, the wrist strap finally gives — and the glove pops off mid-hook, skidding across the canvas to the ropes; the floor looks up. Josh, in the far corner, half-grins and says it, not loud but not quiet: 'Glove's not the only thing falling apart in here, is it.' Mark hears it, picks the glove up, pulls the torn strap out with his teeth, and finishes the round with one glove loose on the wrist. Walking to the change room he tells Rob, low, to book Josh for sparring Tuesday; Rob books it, the loose glove goes in the bin, and the failed strap stays on the bench where Mark can see it.