The Line Tender by Kate Allen

Author:Kate Allen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2019-04-15T16:00:00+00:00

22. Chinese Shoes

Fiona was alone. She walked toward Bearskin Neck and I followed her, keeping a few paces behind. I wanted to talk to her, except I didn’t really feel like talking to anyone. She wore olive pants and a white T-shirt that were both probably from the men’s section of the Army-Navy Store. Her hair was wet, like she was just out of the shower. She carried a small black purse, the kind that was just big enough to hold a passport. I didn’t own a purse.

After rounding the bend, she ducked into the Chinese import shop. I waited outside for a few minutes on the treeless road, wondering whether I should go in. I knew there was no hiding from Fiona in that tiny store. I took a breath and turned the doorknob.

A bell rang over my head and I closed the door behind me. The shop was crowded with racks of T-shirts, but there were also tiny satin pouches and silk pajamas with high collars. The reds and blues were as bright as oil paints.

Fiona was at the counter speaking with Mrs. Wong, the woman who owned the store.

“The red ones,” said Fiona.

“Size eight?” asked Mrs. Wong.

“Yup.”

“I’ll help you next, Lucy,” said Mrs. Wong, disappearing into the back of the store.

Fiona turned around and looked down the center aisle to where I was standing just inside the shop.

“Hi,” she said, surprised to see me. Fiona was holding one of my favorite canvas shoes, the Chinese Mary Jane slippers. I’d probably owned a dozen pairs since I was a kid. My mom had bought them for me when I was little. At some point, I just starting asking Dad for money to buy new pairs.

“I love those shoes,” I said.

“Me too,” she said. Fiona looked a little tired.

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