Thursday, October 17, 2013

Shoes



He rubbed the leather gently, as if he held a small foot in his hands and not a shoe.

The toes were scuffed, though the soles were new and the heels unmarred.

With a stiff brush and an old rag, he worked in black polish until the leather gleamed softly, caressing the new-again footwear.

A young hand patted his shoulder, interrupting the reverie into which he had lapsed as he clutched the shoes.

"Grandpa?"

"These are yours now, sweetie. They're your size. They'll be perfect for your competition."

"They're lovely, thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, dear. Your grandmother would have wanted you to have them. They brought her luck when she danced competitively. Wear them for her. Wear them for me."

His granddaughter kissed his whiskery cheek and wrapped her arms around him.

"You still miss her after all this time?"

"Even after ten years, I still miss her. I haven't been able to dance without her."

“But you can dance with me now, Grandpa. I’m sure Grandma would want you to.”

He smiled as he stood and bowed to his partner.

“May I have this dance?”

_________
Copyright © 2013 Femme Malheureuse 
Words: 190
Originally submitted to fan fic flash fic - Week 38
Photo: dixie_law via Flickr | video prompt: This Dance by Garth Brooks via Veoh

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Dance


Sweaty and hot, your hands gripped me at the prescribed places, like hands on a clock at three p.m.

We stumped slowly in a tightly defined but unmarked circle on the gymnasium floor, our bodies stiff and held apart though drawn together.

Feet struggling to avoid each other, we were pained not only by the foreign position but the oddness of our shoes.

Friends giggled at the periphery, happy and nervous for us, reflecting our feelings like the mirrored ball above.

Eyes darting here and there, we did not dare look at each other lest we break down and cry, or laugh about this strange new world.

But now, so many years later, we have become easy and free, unconstrained by the expectations of others.

We spin and whirl like doves at dusk, comforted and comfortable in the dance that is us.
_________
Copyright © 2013 Femme Malheureuse 
Words: 143
Originally submitted to fan fic flash fic - Week 37
Photo prompt: origin unknown