The
clearance rack way back
near the
restrooms
is filled
with mismatched shoes.
The worn
display right foot
the pristine
boxed left shoe
shoes who’ve
lost their mates
under some
coatrack
and the odd
sizes
rejected by parents
‘because
kids grow so damned fast these days,
it ain’t
worth buying shoes that fit.
Just size em
up.’
I browse the
rack of toddler shoes
white cowboy
boots
faux patent
leather mary janes
complete
with taps
light up
sneakers.
I slide my
hands into the sneakers,
dance them
along the shelf, the side bar,
bins of
public domain DVDs
wishing I
could make
starlight
with my
feet.
And there it
is! A pair of
purple fringed
sandals
double
buckles
and a pale
yellow flower
over the big
toe
like a gaudy
cocktail ring.
They are
size 11.
I imagine
them on my baby’s feet,
her painted
toenails wearing
That Big
Yellow Flower.
They even
have glitter.
Every little
girl wants
purple glitter
double buckle
yellow
flower
fringed
sandals.
Every mommy
wants to see her baby in
purple
glitter
double
buckle
yellow
flower
fringed
sandals
with tiny
green and pink toenails glowing.
I take them
out to Long Island
and leave
them on aisle seven
instead of a
pebble.
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