New Shoes

Bobby needs new shoes for school.
Any pair will do.

Mom wants him to fit in with the other kids at school.
No more off the rack or second hand.

She wants him to have the name brand shoes, the ones that have just come out.
Mom has been working extra hours so she can buy them.

Mom drives Bobby to the mall and gives him the money for the shoes.
She keeps the car running so that it will be warm when he returns.

As Bobby walks up to the entrance of the mall, he turns with a smile on his face.
Looking at his mom who has given him a special gift.

Mom is sitting in the car, rubbing her arms so she'll stay warm.
Her jacket is thread worn and kept together with patches of material from old clothing.

Bobby walks by several shops on the way to buy his shoes.
He walks by a thrift store.
t
Then he walks through the food court.
He sees a mother and her daughter sitting at a table.

The little girl is playing with a toy that came with her meal.
The two are playing together.

Bobby pauses and smiles.
There is a sign hanging just behind them.

On this sign are the shoes.
The ones his mom sent him to buy.

Bobby is handed a white bag, THANK YOU is written on it.

When Bobby and his mom get home, he is told to put on his new shoes while she hangs up their jackets and scarves in the closet.

She turns around and looks at Bobby, puzzled.
He's not wearing the shoes she sent him in for, but a pair of brown shoes that have faded in color.

She asks "Bobby, where are your new shoes?"

Bobby says "Look in the bag."

Mom looks into the bag and her eyes begin to tear.
She pulls out a winter coat.

It looks as if it had only been worn once.
It's almost like new.

She turns to Bobby, who is smiling.

Bobby says "These are my new shoes, mom. These are my new shoes."

They hug.