Magic Shoes

by Hallie Cain

I have this pair of shoes. They’re magic. They grow and change with me, like my face. They’re really very special to me, as you can imagine, so I don’t lend them out to just anyone.

For most of my childhood, I never took them off. Until I met Mary. Mary is the first in a string of very important people in my life, lovingly referred to as “my girls”.

Mary and I were complete opposites from the start. She was quiet and I was loud. We played different sports, had different interests, and had everything in common. I lent her my shoes to go to the movies once, and she’s been borrowing them ever since. Mary’s a grounding presence in everyone’s lives. Mary’s a great person to call when you need a reminder about how much joy can be found in all of the little things. She will always pick up. For me, she’s been picking up for 14 years and counting. I’ll pack the shoes when I go to visit her this month, because she somehow remains an unwaveringly loyal friend while living on the other side of the world.

In my high school chem class, I got to know Ashley and thought maybe I’d lend her my shoes when she came over for our first project. Ashley is the smartest and funniest person I know, unfortunately for me who so loves to be the funny friend. I’ll never know another girl more committed to the bit. But under that “all laughs” exterior, Ashley is secretly sappy. She’s completely trusting in a way not many people are. My friends are her friends because she trusts I’m a good judge of character. I have to agree with her. Ashley’s very rarely borrowed my shoes since high school, because she has such an unreal sense of style on her own.

In college, I met many more of “my girls”. Almost all of them.

Tori and I are the same size shoe, which made sharing easy. She’s a do-nothing-with friend and a do-everything-with friend. It’s not been confirmed but I think Tori’s love language must be quality time because she is always along for the ride or an unbelievably mundane errand. Tori will keep you company when that’s all you need… that and comic relief. If Ashley is the bit girl, Tori has the best one-liners ever. Aside from being fabulous company, her patience astounds me. Despite always having had a lover, she has never neglected time with the girls. I’ll always admire that about her. She borrows my shoes on her way over for a five-hour hangout.

Abby at first was just Tori’s roommate, but I lent her my shoes pretty quickly after meeting her too. She’s the mushy one and the most vocally supportive person I know. I’ve heard more compliments and praise from Abby than I’ve heard from every other person in my life, collectively. And this is probably true for everyone lucky enough to know her. She’s been so there for me that I can’t imagine enough words of comfort or support could ever repay the love she pours out. She wears my shoes as house shoes and performs for all of us in her living room. She feels the most, so she makes a wonderful actress, but not the best singer.

Isabelle’s feet are TINY but like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, my shoes fit all of my girls. Isabelle is the most thoughtful of the girls. She knows the perfect gift for every person and every occasion. Isabelle asks all the right questions and cares about the answers because your excitement is her excitement. She might actually get a contact high from others’ joy because she is never happier than when witnessing someone’s happiness. She borrows my shoes when she attends my favorite artists’ shows with me.

Xena styles my shoes in ways no one else does. She has a million pairs of tights and socks that somehow all look cute with them. Xena has great style, and a warmth and welcoming energy like no other. Meeting Xena felt oddly like destiny, but I think maybe everyone feels like that with her. She gets along with all types of people, so when she really loves you, it feels like you’re truly special. Xena borrows my shoes to kick my ass, thank god. Because sometimes I need it.

Every time I get my shoes back from one of the girls, they’re different. Each time they’re a little more stretched out. They’ve been so changed and filled up with love that now they’re too big. And when I meet a man one day after lending them out to all of my girls, the shoes might be too big for him to fill.