Monday, August 15, 2011

Dermot and Sally, Part Two


Sally worked every day except Wednesday from ten to four at the biggest department store in town and she was never late. Her favorite foods were macaroni and cheese in a box, red vines, and diet coke. She loved the movies, a man with cowboy boots, and freshly ground pepper. Her hair was golden and wavy, her eyes were green and usually sparkled, and her shoes were never the same from one day to the next. You see, other than the ornery cowlick in her hair, Sally really only had one obsession in life. Shoes.

“Why d’ya work in handbags, Sally? I ain't never seen you with a new handbag on your arm in years. You always carry that funny looking one that might as well a been Grannies.”
“For the discounts, Sam. I get forty percent off all accessories and my manager says that includes shoes.”
“No kidding? Shoes?”
“No kidding. Shoes.”

It was a true obsession. She’d had it for years.


Every day after work Sally would stop on her front porch, take off her city shoes and put on her house shoes, never once letting her bare feet touch the ground. When she got into bed at night she would take off her house shoes and slip on her socks, never once letting her bare feet touch the ground. And when she went to take a shower in the morning she would take off her socks and put on her shower shoes, never once letting her bare feet touch the ground. As long as she could remember, not once had Sally ever let her bare feet touch the ground. Nope. Not once.

It was Friday and snowing. Sally shivered as she made her way up the steps to her front porch. She was dreaming of taking her feet out of her high-heeled shoes and putting them into her soft, wool house shoes when she slipped and landed flat on her back, her high heels flying off her feet and landing on a bush covered in snow. Sally stared at her shoes. She stared at her bare feet. She stared back at her shoes. They were too far away. She had no choice. After more years than she could possibly remember, Sally had to let her bare feet touch the ground.

She kept her eyes closed as she let her big toe inch closer to the ground, her body stiff with fear. What if it hurts? What if I get a disease? What if I step on something nasty? But as in life, so in all the best stories—when you least expect it, the unexpected hands you joy. It didn’t hurt. She didn’t get a disease. And she didn’t step on something nasty. In fact, when Sally felt the first touch of snow upon her feet, she lost her breath. Not in fear. But in joy! Sally Ann Franklin could feel!

“Why didn’t anyone tell me what I was missing? Why didn’t anyone stop my stupid fears?” 

Because you never listened, 
Because you never heard,
Because you never let yourself
feel outside your world....

...to be continued

7 comments:

Sara said...

Im really enjoying this. A lot. It's a perfect message told in an unusual yet engaging way. With all the elements of a good fairy tale.

Brynne said...

You are so kind, Sara, and very open-hearted. Do you know that? I hope you do. I value your presence here more than you know. But then, maybe you feel it in that lovely heart of yours.:)

Chronicles of Illusions said...

Sara is right - it's a fairytale - it has all the ingrediants. And it is enthralling. can't wait for more.

Brynne said...

You two...Sara and Jo...two of my nearest and dearest:) Thank you for being such loyal readers. You two are also two of the most magical friends I have. If the other readers here need some more magic in their lives I sure hope they visit your blogs!!

Thanks, Jo. Your support means soOO much to me. Hug muffins, my friend.

Chronicles of Illusions said...

ohhhhhhh - hug muffins - yummy :)

Bella said...

Brynne, the plot thickens....now we discover Sally's never felt her tootsies outside of shoes. The poor girl! I can't imagine what it must be like to never have felt the grass under your bare feet or the feel of smooth, hardwood floors or even cold bathroom tiles! I'm so glad Sally's made this discovery! Now I'm ready for the third installment! :)

Brynne said...

Bella...love it that you sense things in a big way, too!!! No wonder why your writing convey so much...you, too, are in the midst of a sensory stew! YAY Bella!! And thanks for making the time to read:)