R is for Red Shoes
Now I’m really falling terribly behind but I resolve to catch up this week. Here’s a story that I originally called ‘Dancing Shoes’. I’m ducking the ball a bit and retitling this so I can use it for today’s A to Z Challenge. I give you R is for Red Shoes. I wrote this in the month of February when red, dancing and unexpected affections seemed to be all about. Tell me what you think.
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R is for Red Shoes
Sheβs standing near the door. John doesnβt like girls who love red. Itβs an unusual colour for shoes. Then they fuss and wear other strange things that will match. Too much drama. John is smart. So many years teaching ballroom dancing, he knows how to read people.
The 6:00 batch gets over and the students move towards the door. Good thing she isnβt in the first batch. I want to be warmed up and ready when I dance with shoes like her.
The wearer is grinding one heel into the ground, while the other toe tap-taps, not at all in time with the music. I can see even at this distance, that sheβs flexing the right strap, weighing her wearerβs foot down. Dancers always say the shoes are important but most wearers donβt realize how much their shoes make them dance. This one is going to be tricky. Sheβs going to make me do Johnβs work as well.
We start off normally. Salsaβs beginning 1-2-3-45 can be followed by anyone. Anyone in a sensible pair of shoes, that is. But I hold my tongues. It looks like the wearer is inexperienced herself. She could have picked less fussy shoes. But never mind that. John shifts to quick-quick-slllow that some people find easier. I think weβll do this for the remainder of the song.
But she seems to have other ideas. I can see her tensing around the toes, straining at the straps every couple of steps. I maintain my form and refuse to respond. She continues making grotesque shapes at me. If only people could see how ugly their shoes can look, when theyβve decided to be difficult. But no, these women say, oooh theyβre such pretty shoes, theyβre worth the pain!
The strap buckle has a little tassel hanging over the ankle. I see it in mid-step, what sheβs trying to do. But itβs too late. The tassel sails over and is squelched under the other sole. The wearer stumbles and her knee knocks into Johnβs just as he raises his foot in the air. His years of practice, teaching clumsy beginners β itβs like theyβre gone. He slips and I squash her toe, leaving a little scuff mark. Iβm ashamed of my boy, he rarely does this. Maybe he likes her. I can feel his embarrassment too. Instructors are not supposed to step on their studentsβ toes.
But they continue dancing, to my surprise. The wearer follows the man. Maybe sheβs not so bad, even if she is a woman who loves red. I focus again on her shoes. I wouldnβt want to admit, even to John that I lost balance just like he did. Dancing shoes canβt do that, even if their wearers can. But she isβ¦she isβ¦she is so annoying!
I keep a wary eye on her for the rest of the song. John moves into the turns, tentatively. I know itβs risky, seeing how she messed even the basic quick-quick-slow. But he knows and I do, if we donβt diversify, itβll be trouble. John of course, will tell himself that itβs about giving the students confidence. But I know itβs about letting them know whoβs boss.
I snap out of my rumination as a tassel brushes me across the side. She did that on purpose, didnβt she? Does she like having scuff marks? Iβll show her, if she tries that again!
But sheβs passive for the rest of the song. And the next one. As we near the last number, Iβm beginning to believe that sheβs just badly made, not a bad pair otherwise. Sheβs frozen her form into one shape now and even the scuff mark seems to be gone. I can tell she doesnβt like me. Pity. She seemed like she might have been a nice girl underneath all that tassel-fussing.
The class comes to an end. The wearer says her byes and thank yous and sheβs panting a bit for breath. I know she wonβt come back. Johnβs careful maneuvering still havenβt given her the confidence that she can be a dancer. And those shoes of her will grind and pinch her and make her forget about dancing lessons.
I watch her walk away. Thereβs no clenching, no tightening. Itβs like she canβt get her wearer out of the class fast enough. Iβll never see her again. I sigh, my tongues coming free of Johnβs feet. For a change, he doesnβt tuck them back inside with the backs of his legs. He really liked the student too. I know, buddy, I know. Thatβs the way they are, these girls who love red.
I force myself to focus at the class the next day. Of course I knew she wouldnβt return. Sylvia comes to class so John gets to walk around a little around students. I get to dance with the advanced dancers too and not just the troublesome new ones. There are a couple of white shoes among the stable blacks and browns. But no reds. Thank God. We donβt need these red ladies messing with our minds and tongues. But I have to admit, nobody tosses a tassel the way she does.
Itβs three days later when Iβm surprised again. We turn, John and I and in mid-step, brush against another dancer. A familiar tassel grazes my side. And I swear, as she sails through the air, I see her clench one toe in my direction. The song is coming to an end. And I know, I just know, Iβll be facing her when the next one begins.
I will never understand womenβs shoes.
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*Image (without text) via Vlado on FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I loved it! And I’m happy you “retitled” – I was following the entire story, envisioning those red shoes. A nice comeback!
@Cathy C. Bennett: Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Do visit again for the other stories through the month.
I bought a pair of red shoes recently at Goodwill. Those shoes get so much attention (positive!) though they are not snazzy dancing heels, they are flat, cloth, Mary Jane shoes – wide to hold my poor bunioned out left foot. π
Your writing is crisp and clear.
While I love shoes, I can’t say I will ever completely understand them – or the fixation many people have with them. I mostly need to keep better track of my own! π
Julie Jordan Scott
The Bold Writer from A to Z
@Julie Jordan Scott: Red shoes are like that, aren’t they? π I have two pairs myself – a pair of flat leather Mary Janes and another of suede moccasins (men’s shoes, that too!).
Very intriguing writing- I don’t have a pair of red shoes though!
@serafinasamadhi: π Thank you. But they’re a pleasure to watch, aren’t they? Even if you’re not wearing them.
Absolutely!!
This is absolutely grand! For some time, I didn’t realize John’s shoes are talking and when I did, the story became even more interesting. Now, I will wonder what the shoes of other people are thinking about mine when I’m wearing something other than black, brown or white.
I have red shoes, beautiful red shoes. A woman doctor tried to convince me to stop wearing them. After a lifetime of dance, she felt I ought to wear more supportive (and ugly) shoes. Her supervisor, a man, had to explain that I would not give up my red shoes – they’re flats too and I don’t wear them everyday.
Thank you for a lovely post. Visiting from A to Z Challenge Drusilla
@helldoesntownme: Thank you for visiting! I love red and I imagine if shoes had personalities, red ones would be exactly like these.
Loved the style of narrative that you used here! Really intriguing and so well done! Dropping from A-Z and so glad I did! Cheers!
@Aditi: And welcome in! I hope you’ll read and like the other stories I’ve been doing through the month too.
It took me a minute to realize it was John’s shoes talking too. Made sense once I did! I like the illustration.
@kristin: That was the trick in the story. π Glad you liked it.
Lovely story! I read this late at night and really enjoyed the humor and wit of your pov character! Now, of course, you must watch that ancient movie, “The Red Shoes,” about a ballerina who danced with red shoes. the original story was written by Hans Christian Andersen. Maybe a little darker than the story you tell here.
@Beth Camp: Putting ‘The Red Shoes’ on my to-watch list. Thank you for visiting and for the suggestion!
I’ve always wanted to have at least one pair of red shoes or even a red sneakers. I’m also struggling to catch up with the challenge, but I try to come up with one in my busy work schedule.
This is such a vividly written piece! Love me those red shoes!
@Damyanti: Thank you! And I hope you’ll visit again!