Renée Owen
A Closetful
A loud argument, and Dad’s mad that Mom’s taking me to Thom McAn’s. Expensive, but the best store for narrow feet, she says. The shoe salesman makes me nervous, in his dark suit and tie. I take off my old Keds and holey socks. He puts my foot in a metal slider and makes a big show of pointing out my narrow heels. I want saddle shoes like the other girls wear, but Mom says “We’ll take the brown loafers.” He slips shiny pennies in each shoe before boxing them up. My mom still wears her old shoes from the 50’s, and knows a lot about making a penny last. Years later, after Mom and Dad divorce and she dies, we find bags and bags at her house. From the thrift store where she shopped daily—clothes never worn, sale tags dangling. Some in my and my sister’s size, along with unopened packages of costume jewelry and board games. All the things she wanted to give us.
late afternoon how to bottle the river's autumn light
About the Author
Renée Owen’s award-winning books include This One Life (Backbone Press), Alone On A Wild Coast (Snapshot Press), and Scent of the Past. . . Imperfect (Two Autumns Press).