If the Shoe Fits
Posted by: Darlene on: June 4, 2019
- In: short stories | Spain
- 87 Comments
This is my submission to Stevie Turner’s Short Story Competition for June. Why not submit one yourself. I’m sure you have some short stories kicking around that you could dust off, polish and try your luck. You can enter here
This one is non fiction. Let me know what you think.
If the Shoe Fits
by Darlene Foster
It is no secret that my love of shoes is almost equal to my love of travel. A few years ago, when my husband and I visited his parents in Spain for the first time, I was as fascinated by the enticing scenery as I was with the amazing selection of shoes. I purchased a pair of shoes within days of our arrival and, as we were traveling light and on a tight budget, had promised myself that one gorgeous pair of Spanish leather shoes would do.
Later on in the holiday, we rented a car and took a leisurely drive along the Costa Blanca north of Alicante. The cloudless blue sky held only the sun which glittered off the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean sea. Any worries we may have had, disappeared. We came upon the charming fishing village of Altea. White washed houses climbed up the hill. A bright blue domed cathedral sat in the centre overlooking the sea. Postcard perfect. We decided it would be a great place to stop for lunch. As we strolled along the esplanade trying to decide among the appealing restaurants, my husband suggested we stop in at one of the many shoe stores as he was looking for a new pair of sandals.
I had made up my mind not to buy any more shoes but thought it wouldn’t hurt to look. I should have known better. The moment I walked in the door, my eyes descended upon the most exquisite little pair of red, patent leather, needle-point shoes I had ever seen. Those ‘Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz’ shoes were calling my name.
Of course, I had to try them on and of course, they were a perfect fit. At least the left shoe fit. I had slipped on a cobblestone street a few days earlier and sprained my right foot. It was still quite swollen so I didn’t even attempt to try on the right shoe. To make matters worse (or better depending on how you looked at it) the shoes were reasonably priced. I forgot my resolve and convinced myself I couldn’t live without them. The sales clerk quickly put them in a bag and took my Euros. It was two o’clock and she was eager to close the store for siesta time.
We found a great restaurant overlooking the sea and had an enjoyable meal. I was so happy you would have thought I had won the lottery. My husband laughed as I kept looking in the bag to make sure my new babies were OK. I held the package on my lap for safekeeping as we wound our way along the coast back to my in-laws place, two hours away. As soon as we arrived, I ran into the house to show off my newly acquired treasures.
When I pulled them from the bag, my father-in-law noticed the stickers on the bottom and casually said, “Did you realize that one shoe is size 36 and the other is size 37?”
“What! You must be joking!” I looked at the stickers. He was not kidding.
I was horrified. My legs became weak and I felt sick. There was no way I could wear a pair of shoes two different sizes. And we were going back to Canada in a couple of days.
I broke the sad news to my husband who shrugged and simply said, “Don’t worry, we’ll go back tomorrow and exchange it. After all, they now have another pair just like it that they won’t be able to sell.”
What a sweetheart. I remembered then why I married him. He was a man who understood the importance of a fabulous pair of shoes to a girl.
We got up early the next morning, took the much faster, toll highway back to Altea where the store clerk gladly exchanged the size 37 shoe for the correct one. There was no time for sight seeing, as our rental car had to be back by noon. No matter, I had my adorable red shoes, both the same size. I wear them often, and invariably get a compliment.
Then I have to tell my story.
87 Responses to "If the Shoe Fits"

2 | joylennickJoy Lennick
June 4, 2019 at 1:51 am
What a cute tale,and shoes, Darlene!.
My husband’s a darling, but I don’t think he’d have been so complying in returning to a shop at least two hours journey away! (We both love Altea by the way, so maybe I could have persuaded him after all!)

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 2:33 am
You could have bribed him with a coffee by the sea or even lunch!! I can tell you I thought I would be going back to Canada with a pair of shoes I couldn’t wear. It was so sweet of him to take me back. The shoe store is no longer in existence I noticed the last time we were there.



3 | Stevie Turner
June 4, 2019 at 1:53 am
Thanks for submitting your delightful story, Darlene!


4 | fatimasaysell
June 4, 2019 at 1:58 am
What a fantastic story and I am so glad you finally got the right size for both feet! Did your click your heels to make your dream come true?

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 2:35 am
Many times!! They sure do make you think of clicking your heels, don’t they? I’m so glad it all worked out in the end, but I was quite upset at first.



5 | robbiesinspiration
June 4, 2019 at 2:30 am
What a great tale, Darlene. My hubby is also good like that. He would have taken me back too.

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 2:36 am
They know what is important to us, don’t they? Glad you enjoyed the tale.



7 | Jacqui Murray
June 4, 2019 at 2:59 am
Those are gorgeous, Darlene. You would be so disappointed in me. I care little for shoes. I used to, in my 30’s, but now it’s clogs and sandals. I am imagining your joy at those gorgeous perfect-red shoes.

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 3:01 am
Not everyone is as into shoes as I am and that’s a good thing! Now that I am retired I’m more into sandals and runners.



9 | Carol J. Garvin
June 4, 2019 at 3:29 am
A fun story! Good luck with it. And what a thoughtful hubby! I suspect mine would have done the same, but I’ve never had to test my theory. LOL. I *did* have a pair of sandals of which only one was ever worn, so the size of the other wouldn’t have mattered. I badly sprained my left ankle and was on crutches all summer. By summer’s end the right sandal was so badly scuffed and worn that I had to discard the pair. As guilty as I felt about throwing out a brand new shoe, it’s mate was too disreputable to keep.

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 4:38 am
I can see that happening. Now if only you could have found someone who wore the same size, with a sprained or broken right ankle/foot!! Glad you enjoyed the story and yes, hubby is a keeper.



10 | Jacquie Biggar
June 4, 2019 at 3:37 am
Hubby is a keeper 🙂
LOve your pretty red shoes; did hubby get his sandals?

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 4:39 am
I agree he is a keeper. And he didn’t find a pair of sandals he liked.



11 | cath
June 4, 2019 at 6:07 am
Lovely story, Darlene, and I see why the shoes were irresistible. Good luck in the competition.


12 | Mary Smith
June 4, 2019 at 6:28 am
Great story. For a horrible moment I htought you were goign to arrive back at the shop and find the saleswoman had sold the other ‘pair’. Lovely shoes – I can see why you had to have them.

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 6:33 am
Glad you enjoyed it. Now that would have been terrible. As Cinderella said, “One shoe can change your life.”



14 | Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.
June 4, 2019 at 9:28 am
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Darlene Foster is renowned for her travel stories but combine it with a pair of Spanish red shoes and you have a definite winner… bravo, muy guapa…


15 | Ashlynn Waterstone
June 4, 2019 at 9:52 am
I’m sure you were grateful that this had been pointed out to you while you still had the chance to get things corrected. Lovely story. Thanks for sharing.

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 5:31 pm
I would have been devastated if I had got back to Canada and then found they were two different sizes, Glad you liked the story!



17 | Claudia
June 4, 2019 at 11:05 am
All the comments made me smile. Those shoes are waaay too pointy for my fat feet, but I DO love shoes and I love this story! I was afraid it was going to end that “to this day I still have two great shoes in two different sizes.” Fun fun!


18 | fourfigs
June 4, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Could feel it all the way Darlene. I once had a similar experience buying a gorgeous pair of shoes on a trip to Ottawa. I hadn’t noticed because, as I discovered, one foot is slightly smaller than the other,,,,and I wasn’t about to try to return them! I love your red shoes.

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 5:25 pm
They are old now but I still love them. And they have crossed the Atlantic a few times!



19 | Anne Mehrling
June 4, 2019 at 2:19 pm
Your story was delightful, and I enjoyed it. One of our daughters has a love affair with shoes. She is blessed to be able to afford them. Your husband is definitely a keeper.


21 | Patty
June 4, 2019 at 7:58 pm
Reblogged this on Campbells World.

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 8:16 pm
Thanks for reblogging.

Patty
June 5, 2019 at 12:47 am
You are very welcome. I loved it very much. Please enjoy your visit to campbellsworld. If you find something you enjoy, please feel free to share it with your friends. Have a great rest of your day. 🙂 Happy to share. I enjoy your posts.




22 | OIKOS™-Publishing
June 4, 2019 at 10:01 pm
Pretty shoes, a women’s pleasure, indeed! Michael

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 10:03 pm
Thanks, Michael.

OIKOS™-Publishing
June 4, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Thank you for the wonderful story, Darlene! Have a beautiful day! Michael




23 | marianbeaman
June 4, 2019 at 10:32 pm
This is adorable – the story and the shoes!
I am on the prowl for a pair of red shoes to go with my Mennonite Daughter memoir presentation. They have to be flat, not spiky – foot problems, you know! And the right SIZE!

Darlene
June 4, 2019 at 10:39 pm
To find the right shoes is always difficult and I find they usually show up when I’m not looking. This pair has cute little one-inch kitten heels so are very comfy. I’m currently looking for a pair of red sandals. Good luck with your search, You’ll look smashing whatever you wear.



24 | watchingthedaisies
June 4, 2019 at 11:23 pm
I love your shoes. I collect them too!

Darlene
June 5, 2019 at 1:41 am
I had a fabulous collection but when I moved to Spain, I had to get rid of 75% of them, tearfully. I still have some great shoes and brought these little darlings back to Spain with me. So they are now home.



25 | Annika Perry
June 5, 2019 at 12:01 am
A delightful true story which had me hooked all the way – I love the description of the ‘postcard perfect’ village; I felt I was there! Phew … glad you got your shoes exchanged! They look so pretty. I always stress about buying shoes apart from when I’m on holiday and seem to stumble upon just the right sandals which I’ll wear for years after! Good luck with the competition, Darlene! This read like a winner to me!

Darlene
June 5, 2019 at 1:42 am
Thanks so much for the positive comments on my story, Annika. Many folks can relate to this tale.



26 | Ashlynn Waterstone
June 5, 2019 at 2:38 am
Reblogged this on Waterstone Way and commented:
Traveling has its perils as you’ll notice in this submission for Stevie Turner’s Short Story and Poetry contest for June 2019.


27 | Sue Slaght
June 5, 2019 at 3:07 am
A very understanding husband I would say. Glad to hear you needed up with two matching shoes.

Darlene
June 5, 2019 at 4:12 am
Thank heaven it all worked out and I have had many years of wearing these shoes.



28 | Nancy Klein
June 5, 2019 at 3:38 am
Cute story. Snazzy shoes. I love the title too.

Darlene
June 5, 2019 at 4:14 am
Thanks, Nancy. I have told this story many times so I thought I should write it down. Glad you liked it!



29 | dgkaye
June 5, 2019 at 8:35 am
Sounds like we have more in common, lol. I’m a shoe freak too, and love to travel, lol. Ya, that would have drove me nuts until I could exchange. Although, as a shoe lover over the years, I’ve had my share of shoe stories and since made it a habit to always look inside each shoe at the size before paying. 🙂

Darlene
June 5, 2019 at 5:01 pm
We have a lot in common, that’s for sure!! I am much more vigilant about checking the sizes now. xo



30 | TanGental
June 6, 2019 at 2:34 am
I’ll be the first to say I’m delighted for you but, really, the fuss? Nope, can’t get my feeble male head round it!!

Darlene
June 6, 2019 at 2:49 am
I’m afraid there are some women who don’t understand either. It must be an extra chromosome some of us have. You know, the shoe one.



31 | *Reblog* If the Shoe Fits #84 | Its good to be crazy Sometimes
June 8, 2019 at 7:53 pm
[…] Anyone who loves shoes understands this via If the Shoe Fits […]


32 | Carol Anne
June 8, 2019 at 8:59 pm
Lovely! I love shoes too! 😛


33 | Carol Anne
June 8, 2019 at 9:00 pm
Reblogged this on Therapy Bits and commented:
Read Darlene’s true story about shoes! Anyone who loves shoes will relate!
❤


34 | lisakunk
June 9, 2019 at 5:05 pm
I’m on a red kick so those shoes are right up my color alley.

Darlene
June 9, 2019 at 5:48 pm
Every girl needs a pair of red shoes. You just feel great wearing them. Thanks for stopping by my blog.



35 | Jennie
June 9, 2019 at 8:12 pm
They are gorgeous! I love the story, Darlene. 🙂


36 | Mabel Kwong
June 9, 2019 at 11:40 pm
This was a very good story to tell, Darlene. Imagine that, the pair of shoes size mismatched, and so patient of your husband to drive all the way back to get it right. They look a very shiny red, very eye catching and I am guessing you wear them on special occasions 🙂

Darlene
June 10, 2019 at 12:01 am
Thanks, Mabel. So pleased you enjoyed the story. The shoes are getting old now but I did wear them on special occasions like Christmas parties etc. Patent leather always stays shiny which is great!



37 | Laurie
June 17, 2019 at 10:07 pm
Great story about a beautiful pair of shoes! And your hubby sounds like a keeper! 🙂


38 | Jodie
June 18, 2019 at 12:26 am
You gotta love a man that is so practical!! It’s funny because our DSW always checks both shoes for this now. So it must be an issue everywhere.
Love those shoes Darlene. I have that same addiction.
XOXO
Jodie
#senisal

Darlene
June 18, 2019 at 12:33 am
Shoe lovers can relate! I am very careful now when I buy shoes and often relate the story to the salesperson. xoxo



39 | John Kraft
June 19, 2019 at 6:40 am
Absolutely delightful!


40 | #SeniSal Roundup: June 17-21, 2019 ~ Esme Salon
June 22, 2019 at 3:00 pm
[…] If the Shoe Fits :|: Darlene […]


41 | Share Your Short Story – Winners | Stevie Turner
July 2, 2019 at 10:51 am
[…] Darlene Foster: If the Shoe Fits https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/2019/06/04/if-the-shoe-fits/ […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
June 4, 2019 at 1:44 am
Beautiful shoes and a lovely story to go with them. Good luck in the competition.
June 4, 2019 at 2:30 am
Thanks, Anne!