u/ivebeensad4ever

they don’t look white, I think repeatedly while this woman, probably in her sad 20s, holding a bag in her right hand, sorrow on the other, standing a few feet away from my shoes, tells me how her cat died. I’m sorry, I’m not rude, I just care about my shoes, they are a reflection of me. the cat died cause it swallowed 2 AAA batteries. it’s not the first time I am not listening, it’s not the last. I bought my 4th pair this year.
in my defence, people should talk less, atleast to me, talking does something to me, it makes my shoes dirty & I don’t like it.
I remember my dad didn’t like talking much, atleast not to me & I assume it was because he wanted to keep his shoes clean & I forgive him.
he would clean his’ with alcohol, alot of it,
I wipe mine with tears, I don’t like alcohol.
the average cat lives 15-17 years, her cat was 8 years old, died early & miserable. I don’t wish to get new shoes, I love these, there’s something about them that makes me happy. her cat’s name was whiskers, maybe.
as the metro gates open & I finally lift my head up, to say goodbye, I see a tear in her eye, confused if this was because of the 2 AAA batteries or me not paying attention.
I say sorry, she walks over my shoes, out of the metro, as I stare at the gates close a few feet away from my shoes, stained.
they don’t look white anymore.