The New Shoes

Ages 12-15

Mushky puts on her sister's outgrown shoes.

They are hardly scuffed. The soles bend easily when she walks to the door.

Her sister comes down the hall in a larger pair.

"Those were my good ones."

Mushky stops with her hand on the doorknob.

At the kitchen table, Mommy looks up.

"Your sister's shoes fit?"

Mushky takes her hand off the knob. She bends to one shoe and pulls its lace tighter.

The top eyelet is empty. Her sister always leaves it that way.

Mushky threads the lace through it.

Now the shoe presses against her ankle. She loosens the lace and tries one step.

Her sister waits beside the door.

"Too tight?"

Mushky shakes her head. Then she pulls the top lace loose another little bit.

She ties a bow with shorter loops than her sister's.

At the other shoe, she does the same.

Mommy reaches for her own coat. Mushky stands and walks across the mat.

Her heel stays inside. The top edge no longer presses.

She opens the door for her sister, then follows.

When they come home, Mushky unties both short bows. She leaves the laces threaded through the top eyelets.

Beside the door, her shoes stand next to her sister's larger pair.