The sun was low in the sky.  Its light seemed to make the morning dew on the grass twinkle, and a rosy tint glowed on the sidewalks and pale buildings.  Not everything was visible, but all that was in sight was beautiful.
     Outside of the shoe shop on the center of the street, a young woman walked to the double glass doors. The tiny shoes on her feet taped the pavement.  Her gait was relaxed and rhythmic, and it quickened at the sight of the barefooted girl who ran toward her. 
     “Hey,” the girl noticed after their embrace, “ You still have those shoes.”
     “Yeah,” the young woman said. “ They’re giving me blisters.”
     “Oh. They must be too small.”
     “They’re not so bad. I still wear’em.  See?” The young woman lifted her heel for the girl to see.
     “As long as it doesn’t hurt so bad.  You should be able to walk normal in them. “
     “That’s true.” A silence. “No fair! You’re taller than me even when you’re barefoot. Ya turd.“
     The margin of height between the two was small, yet the girl wore it like a badge of honor.
     “You’re just jealous that I’m taller now,” the girl teased. “Also, your mom’s a turd.”
     “Heh. Joke’s on you! You just dissed your own mom.”
     They both threw their heads back when they laughed.
     The young woman and the girl walked into the shop.  The golden-pink light shined on every row of boots, sandals, and sneakers.
     “Ooh-- check out these ones!” the girl said.
     “Hang on. “
     “What is it?’
     “ My shoes are bugging me.” The young woman sighed.
     “ Man, you should just take those off.”
     “ They’re fine.”
     “Oh. Sorry.”
     “Don’t worry, I get it.  What did you want to see?”
     “That pair of shoes in the corner.” The girl pointed to them, apart from the rest.
     “Those are sweet. Go try them on!”
     “Wow.  These fit me perfectly! They’re really comfy, too,” the girl grinned.
     “You look great,” the young woman said, “It’s like you lit up when you put ‘em on.  Let me see you walk.”
     “ So, what’ya think?”
     “You look sorta weird.”
     “ What?”
     “Yeah, your right foot’s all funky. Doesn’t it always point outward?”
     “Yeah, it’s always been that way.” The girl said. “ I can’t really do that in these shoes, though.”
     “Well, you’re trying to walk with it forward.  Walk like you usually do.”
     The girl walked down the aisle and back to the young woman. Her gait was awkward.
     “How do your feet feel?” the young woman asked.
     “As good as they did before, but my right leg hurts really bad.
     “Yeah, the right one dragged behind a little when you tried to walk with your foot pointing out.” the young woman noted.
     “My left leg felt fine, though,” the girl quickly added.
     The sun rose in the sky as if it were the flower of a growing dandelion.  The pink morning light died away, and the harsh pale afternoon invaded the street.  Powerful light reflected white off the pavement and buildings, and strained the eyes.  The buildings cast black shadows.  Everything was visible, but not all in sight was beautiful.  The girl looked out the store’s window, exposing her face to the light outside.
     “I don’t think I should get them.” the girl blurted, turning toward the young woman.
     “Are you sure?”
     She turned to the light again.  It revealed the paleness of her face, along with the new dark circles under her eyes--which served as great contrast to her ivory skin.  She looked down at her toes.
     “Yeah.” She muttered.
     “Ok. I’ll put them back,” the young woman offered.
     “No-- let me.”
     The girl gently put the shoes on the shelf with her right hand, leaving her left hand in a tight clenched fist at her side.  The young woman hugged the girl.
     “Hey-- look at me. Not at the floor. Look at me.” A silence.          “Those weren’t bad,” the young woman whispered.
     “Yeah,” the girl sniffed. “I know.”
     “ We can come back another day. In the mean time, I’d like to go home; my feet are killing me.”
     “Ok. Can you walk home?”
     “I don’t think I can take another step,” the young woman grumbled.
     “You’re not taking them off?”
     “I’ve already told --”
     “I can give you a piggy-back ride,” the girl suggested.
     “Dude, we’re in public --”
     “Who cares, just hop on! Also, I can take you home and wash your feet.” The girl giggled and bent down.
     “Eh, what the heck!” A blink. “Wow, you’re stronger than I remember.”
     “Heh heh! I bet I could open up a whole six pack of whoop-a** on you.”
     “Wanna bet?” the young woman put the girl in a headlock.
     “Ohmigosh! How is this even possible-- I’m taller than you.”
     “I’m on your back, duh.”