Short Stories - With Unexpected Endings

The delivery truck beeped as it backed into the mom and pop shoe store. One box was dropped on the ground waiting for the owner’s attention. He ripped open the box, checked the invoice and then grabbed a pair of shoes. They were a lovely pair of children’s black patent leathers with a rhinestone crown at the buckle. He let out a puff and buffed them on his worn flannel work shirt. Holding the shoes away from of him as he walked, he made his way to the front of the store. The shoes appeared regal emphasized by the way the owner carried them and how they luster in the stores lights. One could almost hear last season’s shoes shout, “Make way, make way for Princess Patty”. The shop owner walked straight to the window and brushed away some webs. He removed the sun faded Oxfords which were front and center. He then carefully placed Patty smack dab in the middle of the window on top of a red velvet box. The work shoes and garden clogs all leaned in a bit to get a glimpse of the new bejewel flats. Patty did not bother to acknowledge any of the peons which seemed to grovel below her. She thought she was suppose to go to Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom and was a little disgusted to be displayed in this insignificant store. “I am designed for lace and galas not for the likes of those that shop here,” She mumbled to herself. She looked down at Ked and then smugly lifted her left heal to prop it on the back of the right thus giving Ked a cold sole.

It had not been five minutes when a limousine pulled up to the window and out stepped a little girl with bouncy curls in her hair. Patty seemed to shine a more radiant shine knowing this was just the type of girl for which she was created. She spoke down to Penny, a brown loafer resting below her, and said, “Here comes my ride. We knew I would never be here long.” Sure enough the girl walked right up to the window and pointed at Patty. Patty was center stage and made sure all those around her knew it. A man in a black suit came in and said, "I would like to buy the black shoes in the window in a size three for Madame Missy." The shop owner walked up to the window snatching up Patty while explaining he had just received these less than five minutes ago. He held the shoes out for the gentleman who looked at Madame Missy. She was already removing her pristine white satin sandals when she said, "Pay the man. I want them now!" The little girl grabbed the shoes out of the owners hand and crammed her foot into them without unfastening the buckle. Money was exchanged and Madame Missy abandoned her white shoes there on the floor. The man with the black suit opened the door for the young girl and she ran outside. She stood still for a moment admiring Patty which was now securely placed on each foot. Patty could only imagine the lush carpets at the mansion, the marble floors at the museums and the daily buffing the maid would surely provide. The little girl lifted her eyes scanned the sidewalk to the right and then turning her head left. Her eyes opened a bit more and she let out a squeal. She had noticed a puddle positioned just under the shoe store window. Ked, Penny and even the Oxfords nearly had their toes against the glass as they watch the girl with Patty on her feet. With bouncing curls and loud squealing Madame Missy ran up to the widow. She lifted both feet simultaneously off the ground and was throwing herself with Patty attached feet first into the two-by-two sidewalk lake. She landed square into the center of the puddle making muddy water splash on the window, on her dress and all over Patty’s lovely shine. All the shoes seemed to hold their breath and lean back to avoid the mess flung in their direction. The loops in the laces were big and round. Their tongue gaped open in ah. No one moved. Then Penny looked over at Ked giving a nudge she said, “Long live the Queen.”