The Red Shoes

The Red Shoes was included in the 2003 I Remember book, a collection of short stories by the Alvarado Writers Guild.

NOTE: The book is no longer in print, but I can share the stories Helene Hadsell contributed.

The Red Shoes

by Helene Hadsell

I was seven years old when I saw my first movie picture. I don’t recall the movie, the story, or the actors; all I remember was that the actress was wearing red shoes, and I had to have a pair.

Money was scarce during the early thirties, and my mother, who handled the purse strings, was practical and took pride in staying within the family budget. Her buying me red shoes was as remote as Santa Claus appearing with his bag full of red shoes just for me.

It was getting ready for school time and my dad was the designated adult to take me to town to get me my school shoes…the sturdy, comfortable, walking kind, my mother instructed before we left.

No amount of discouraging reasons or bribing could get me to change my mind. I wanted red shoes! Not one store we went to had red shoes or shoes that fit and felt comfortable.

As we approached the last store in town, my dad looked at me and sternly declared, “We are not leaving this store until you pick out a pair of shoes. Pretend that they are red,” he added with a twinkle in his eye.

He led me to the table of white shoes and the sign that read, Closing Out Our Summer Stock-70 percent off.  He found my size, and before I tried them on, he again instructed me to close my eyes and pretend they were red. I found a comfortable pair, and we left.

On our way home, we stopped by the shoe shop. My dad handed my pair of shoes to the man and said, “My daughter wants red shoes. Dye them the brightest red you have.”

No, I didn’t wear them to bed…but I did wear them until the soles were paper-thin and my toes pushed out the front.

Enjoy this audio of Helene regaling us with her rendition of this story.