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I watched Megyn and Andre playing outside, so carefreely and innocently. Don’t get me wrong, they had their moments like other four-year-olds, but they were mostly good. The reason I was so proud of them was because they showed how far I had come in this world.

I thought back to when I was their age and should have been carefree. I remember crying at night, hoping that Uncle Mike would go away. As I got older I seemed to be getting better at avoiding him, but I realized not long after my sixth birthday that I was merely falling further into his trap. That night when he touched me I screamed, giving all I had. Less than a second later I was gasping for air as he smothered my face. Then I heard his laughter which had always seemed so inviting, and then my world went black. From that night on, my blackouts happened fairly often and I remember very little until I was about eleven.

Uncle Mike died from lung cancer four weeks before my eleventh birthday. Although I was now free from his touch, he had left many unhealed scars, mentally and physically. I moved back in with my mother since she had returned from rehab. With her alcohol and drug use she was happiest when I was out of the house. As I entered my teenage years I began stealing her alcohol, cigarettes, anything I could find to forget. The more I drank, the worse my blackouts became. No one paid any attention to my addictions, they figured I was another hopelessly drunk teenager and eventually I’d grow out of it.

Around my fifteenth birthday my friend Cali helped me get a fake ID so that we would work together at Cleo’s. After a few weeks I was one of the favored dancers at Cleo’s and dropped out of school. After one dance I could walk away with as much as a fifty. I signed a contract with Cleo’s for five years, figuring that I had made it to the top of my career.

Toward the end of the five years, I learned the club was being sold. Not being fond of the new owners I decided to leave the club and find a more elite club. My last night at Cleo’s, I remember seeing a handsome man walk in, a new client. Since I was leaving I let someone else greet him, and sure enough Amber was headed his way. I was cleaning some tables when I saw him say a few words to Amber and she walked away scowling.

“He wants you,” she grunted and stormed away. I obliged and took him into one of our private rooms. As I began my dance routine he told me to stop. I was shocked. What could he possibly want instead? He asked me if I would please leave the club with him and join him for dinner. Although I was a bit fearful I figured I had nothing to lose anyway, so I agreed. He took my hand and led me out of the club after I grabbed my things.

As we got into his car he told me that he had purchased a few outfits for me to choose from to wear tonight. He bought a few different sizes and stepped outside the car to let me change in privacy. After I finished he began driving to a restaurant so fancy I still can’t pronounce the name. On the drive he explained that he lived behind the club and remembered me from school. I was shocked. I’m not sure I was at school often enough for my teachers to even remember me. He told me he had seen me come and go for years.

As much as I knew I should be creeped out by this, but he just seemed so genuine I wasn’t able to do anything but cry.

The tears were starting to roll down my face once more as I looked at the diamond on my left hand. How did I ever get this lucky to be literally swept off my feet by my handsome prince charming?

“Molly? Are you ok?” Ashton asked. I looked at our children still playing peacefully in the yard and smiled.

“Yes Ash, I’ve never felt better.”

My Life in Your Shoes

Wow! Today was really long. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to get back home and hear about Renée’s night. My owner is Miss Andrews, but the other shoes and I call her Jamie. I am an orange and white Asics Gel 1100. Jamie and I go to school together each weekday and teach fifth grade. My best friend is Renée, a strappy, black Sam and Libby heel. She’s the perfect evening shoe, delicate yet dynamic. Renée and I live our lives through each other because we are Jamie’s favorites and get used the most often. Finally, Jamie puts the car in park and it takes all of my strength to not run into the house and jump inside the closet.

I get to see the calm, hard working side of Jamie. She teaches the students and I sit with her and listen just as attentively as the children. Each night that Renée and I both have free, we share our experiences. I tell all of the silly things the children say during the lessons, as well as which children frustrate Jamie. I run with Jamie every morning at 5:30, so I also describe how the Jack Russell Terrier next door crawls under the fence and runs along with us each morning. Renée is also the only one who knows my great fear of dogs. When I was younger, before Jamie bought me, a dog came into the store and tried to eat me. Thankfully the sales associate came, rescued me, and cleaned my wounds.

Renée sees the wild, evening-outside of Jamie. She goes to cocktail parties, dates and dances until late in the morning. Renée lets me know if there is a serious relationship in Jamie’s life and if she thinks he’s going to be more than just a random date. She is completely fearless and lives life on the brink of danger. I think her cute straps and tiny bows attract many of Jamie’s beau’s; don’t tell anyone I said that, I wouldn’t want Jamie to hear. Lately Jamie has beenseeing a man named Andrew. Renée thinks he’s the one and we’re both very excited to know what the future will bring.

Occasionally Renée and I will become jealous of each other, but not too often. I feel that Renée is so much better than me because she is so cute and dainty. I hated her for a long time because it was all that I could see. Then I learned that she is jealous of me because I am so soft and comfortable. All I ever heard was Jamie saying how she wished I could be cute and cushioned. Then Renée told me that all she heard was Jamie complain about her being uncomfortable, hurting her feet after a few hours. When we learned how she talked about each of us, we learned what our purpose was and appreciated all that we each can do for Jamie.

“Hey Renée. Did you have fun going out last night? You were really late. Did anything important happen?”

“Hello Asic. I have so much to tell you from last nights. Andrew and Jamie went to the Melting Pot last night. They really enjoyed their dinner. Jamie had kicked me off so I just sat next to her and listened to their conversation. I wish I could have seen better, but he went down on one knee and proposed. They’re supposed to be getting married about this time next year. The bad news is that my exciting life will soon be over. Now that she is settling down and I won’t be able to dance every Friday and Saturday night away as I have for the past two years. But I’m willing to retire to a more subdued life as long as Jamie’s happy and you continue to let me live my life through you.”

“Renée, you are my best friend! Of course, I will always tell you about my days. I wouldn’t know who to talk to if I couldn’t tell you!”