The Shoes

I was sitting on the sofa reading and half way watching television, when my son Taylor came into the room with a friend. It was the end of the school year and several parties have been thrown to celebrate the kid’s graduation. After receiving permission to attend the latest one that night, Taylor asked if his friend could stay downstairs with me while he ran up to get ready.1

Once Robert, the name of the friend, made himself comfortable, I asked if he would like something. I was unprepared for his answer, while looking at me with a straight face he replied “Your shoes.” 2

"Excuse me?” What did he mean he wanted my shoes. Looking down at his feet, I could see that he was wearing shoes, maybe not the best pair of shoes, but shoes none the less and they did match with the rest of the outfit he was wearing, long scruffy, baggy black shorts and an oversized hoody. The same as the rest of the kids were wearing these days.3

"You asked what I wanted, and I want your shoes.”4

"If you didn’t have any shoes, maybe I would give them to you. Besides I doubt very much if mine shoes would fit you.” Shrugging it off as some joke that I didn’t understand, I decided to go back to my book. Robert could entertain himself till Taylor came back down by watching the news.5

"Hey tell Taylor that I will catch up with him later tonight.” Without another word Robert stood up and left.6

Fifteen minutes later Taylor came back downstairs, dressed in jeans and a t shirt, with his hair still damp from his shower. “Where’s Robert?”7

"He left. He said he would catch up with you later. Your friend is kind of strange isn’t he?”8

"What do you mean?”9

"Well I asked if he wanted anything while waiting for you and he said he wanted my shoes. What in the heck was that supposed to mean?”10

"Knowing Robert, it could mean anything. He always says things that are off the wall.”11

"How long have you guys been friends? He doesn’t seem the usual sort that hangs out with your crowd.”12

"Nah, he just moved to town a few weeks ago and having some problems fitting in so I sort of took him under my wings. He’s not a bad guy once you get to know him. He’s having problems at home and I feel sorry for him so we let him hang around with us.”13

Imagining drugs or even worse being part of his problems, I was concerned. “What kind of problems?”14

"The usual.” Taylor shrugged. “His dad left them and his mom is barely making ends meet I guess. He has five younger brothers and sisters. I guess not enough money to go around. He wears the same clothes everyday.”15

Picking up his car keys, Taylor headed for the door. “I guess I’ll see him later. He may show up at the party since I told him he was welcome to tag along. If not, then most likely he’ll be hanging down at the arcade and I’ll catch him there. See ya later Mom.”16

After Taylor left, I tried to settle back down into my book. Images of Robert and his life kept passing through my mind. Finally, giving up on the book, I got up and went out to the kitchen to make a snack. I wondered what Robert was doing, where he was at. Did he show up at the party? Feeling rather foolish and out of my league, I grabbed my keys and headed to my car.17

Ten minutes later I was pulling up in front of the only arcade in town. Several teenagers were hanging out and milling around the street and parking lot. A few doors down from the arcade, I saw Robert sitting on one of the door stoops, off by himself, just watching the action, not joining in with anyone, and no one joining him.18

Getting out of my car, I walked down the sidewalk to him. “Hey don’t you have a party to go to?”19

Barely looking up at me, he shrugged, “Nah, I think I’ll skip it.”20

"Why would you want to skip a party? Don’t you kids know how to have fun these days? Taylor said he would meet you there.”21

"Hey look, I said I was going to skip it. No big deal. What’s the fuss about, it’s just a party?”22

"Yeah well it is a big deal to me. Since you are one of Taylor’s friends, I guess that makes you one of my friends. Taylor said there’s a party and you were invited. I don’t have time to drive you back across town to change your clothes, so lets say for a late graduation present, we run to the mall, you can grab some jeans, shoes and another shirt, change there and I’ll drop you off at the party?”23

Turning, without looking to see if he was following me, I headed back towards my car. Putting the key in the ignition, I heard the other door opened and smiled to myself as Robert joined me.24