Oct. 12, 2008 Prompt contest

Word count 618



         I saw the package as soon as I pulled into the carport.  The box was leaning against the gate—just where my UPS guy always left things if I was out.  And as soon as I saw it, I knew what it contained…my new shoes.

         Never in my life had I paid so very much for a pair of shoes—let alone shoes that I didn’t need, would probably never even wear.  But they were so beautiful!  I just couldn't resist them.  I had lusted after those shoes so much, as frugal as I always was, I had to own them, and I even paid the shipping charges without a second thought. 

         And they were here!  I scooped up the box and rushed to unlock the door.  I dropped my purse, my briefcase and my water bottle and rooted through a drawer for a pair of scissors.  Slicing the tape, I ripped into the package with glee.

         There, nestled in crumpled brown paper was another box.  The shoe box.  My shoe box.  I lifted the it with reverence, and placed it on the table.  And then, with a great sigh of anticipation, I opened the box. 

         They were even more beautiful than they’d been in the catalog.  Tri-colored suede pumps…heels just the right height…a timeless design…and navy, teal and burgundy—my three favorite colors—colors that matched all the clothes in my closest.

         I kicked off my old shoes, with contempt.  And lifted out the pumps, one at a time, petting them lovingly, before placing them on the table.  Then I just admired them for several minutes.

         But finally I couldn’t stand it any more…and took them over to the sofa.  I sat down and slip on the pumps, first one and the other.  And they fit perfectly.  They fit as if they had been made for me. 

They felt lighter than air.  They felt wonderful.  And they made me feel like dancing.  But when I went to stand, instead of dancing, or even walking, I floated…up…up…up.  Higher and higher, until my head bumped against the ceiling. 

Ouch!  I rubbed the swiftly rising knot on my head, and assessed the situation.  The good news was that I was inside, so as long as I kept my hand up on the ceiling, I wouldn’t bump my head again, or drift upwards and out an open window.  On the down side, I had no idea how to get down.  Or, for that matter, what was going on. 

         I tried to kick off at least one of the shoes.  Maybe, if I could manage to get rid of one, I would sink down a bit…low enough for me to grab hold of something.  If I could catch onto the top of the cabinets, perhaps I could open a cabinet and climb down the door.  Then if I could work myself over to the refrigerator, I could use the open door to get all the way to the floor.

         I was sure that once on the floor again, I would be able to force the shoes from my feet.

         And then my husband came through the slider to the patio…leaving the door open.  Of course, I’d spent my entire married life closing doors behind him…and now…

         He didn’t even see me as he rooted through the pantry for something to snack on, and plopped down on the couch.  I started to call out to him…to say something, but it was too late.  He’d turned on the ceiling fan on his way to the sofa, and it pushed me down a bit, and out…out of the open patio door, and up…up…up…

         Oh well.  But as I floated over the pool, I caught another look at my shoes.  And after all, they really were beautiful.