100 Word Story: Loss

“I’ve lost my shoes.”

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“I said I lost my shoes. They were on my feet but now they’re gone.”

Barbara pointed at her feet. Her socks were gray from wear and sagging around her ankles. She looked up at the man standing in front of her at the checkout to see if he cared.

“That kind of thing happens sometimes. At least you have socks.”

It’s good to see the bright side, Barbara thought, but wearing just socks causes problems, like stares from strangers, burns from hot pavement. She missed her shoes very much.