Shoes Worn Enough to Talk God to Jesus

Jey lifted his mask and took long drag off his vape pen one foot pushed against the corner store wall behind him like a kick stand. His curly hair and beautiful skin complimented his short stature and slim frame; he wasn't like need-a-sandwich skinny but more of a cool thin like Whiz Khalifa or Travis Barker. Nevertheless, if you ever met him it felt like he was ten feet tall. He spent the last several days hanging out in front of a corner store at a strip mall in the city, people watching the patrons and passerby’s; but he only kept returning in hopes of bumping into a local man who went by the name of Shoes. They met about a week ago, but they engaged in deep conversations like they have known each other a lifetime. If he had not met Shoes he probably would have left as abruptly as he came feeling like there was nothing here for him. Jey leaned over and dug into his backpack sitting at his feet and pulled out his little black book he carried everywhere; he sometimes jotted notes when he and Shoes talked.

Jey could see Shoes making his way across the street coming towards him smiling wide his infectious smile showcasing his stained yellow teeth with his face mask under chin not close to being applied properly. Jey waved and smiled back happy to see Shoes. Shoes was a downtrodden man in his early forties. He had made this shopping center and nearby streets his home. He spent most of his time alone and thinking out loud. He was pleased to have found Jey a few days ago to have someone to talk to. Shoes was average height but still taller than Jey, also thin but more need-a-sandwich rather than cool thin. His clothes were soiled and mitch matched but still looked decent in comparison to his worn shoes. He was balding quickly with salt and pepper grey hair, his hands and face told a story of a man who clearly had seen, done and been through some things. Years of living outside had weathered and darken his beautiful brown skin. Although in a rough space and on hard times he still fought to be optimistic and empowered despite being alone, tired, poor and an aging drug addict. Shoes plopped down next to Jey sweating and panting a bit from rushing over to the shopping center on this warm summer day.

“What does that even mean? Shoes said excitedly in his generally boisterous Samuel L Jackson-esque voice about a conversation they ended with the day prior.

“Shoes trust me,” Jey cautioned knowing exactly what he was talking about, “I kind of know a little about the guys who wrote it,” he playfully pleaded. “Some things are literal, and some aren’t like seriously,” he went on because Shoes always tried to argue his God ordained dominance over women just to get a rise out of him. Jey was intrigued by how well Shoes understood the bible. “As I always tell you, what is written is the foundation,” Jey went on, “but it is expected you use your common sense, remain in constant communication and follow your moral compass. The rest you and God can work out together; the circumstances are not perfect, so it’s not expected you’d be,” Jey reminded, telling Shoes what he really already knew.

“I know, I know,” Shoes replied with a wide grin. Most of the time Jey just listened as Shoes went on and on for hours sometimes, only interjecting occasionally to shift the conversations. “I don’t even need money,” Shoes started again. “But if I had some there’s so many things I would do to change the world and help people,” Shoes stated while staring off into the sky briefly daydreaming. “All those little babies around the world hungry, all the single mothers, all the people without much, I’d take care of them all!” Shoes continued, voice raising with excitement. “I’d build schools, make farms for people to always have food and make better churches; not like all the ones that are just about money these days, you know,” He added. “I wouldn’t even keep nothing but five or ten dollars for myself just enough to get a bite to eat and maybe some new second-hand shoes,” Shoes concluded.

“Yeah, I hear you Shoes,” Jey said sticking his fist out to fist-bump Shoes in celebratory agreement. “How much money do you think it would cost to do all that Shoes?” Jey asked sounding already shocked to hear the number.

“Oh, Jey I don’t know,” Shoes answered momentarily mulling it over, “I mean if we start off small and grow maybe like two thousand?” he replied half stating half asking. It was a total arbitrary number. “How long do you think it would take me to save up that much?” Shoes asked looking up at Jey perplexed. “I mean I could try to collect more cans to recycle and maybe offer to wash folk’s car windows, what you think?” Shoes said sounding really pleased with his plan. “Plus, If I pray really hard too Jey, maybe God will see fit to bless me ten-fold on top of that and I could do much more, but I’d be happy with two dollars if God felt that’s what I needed,” he added lastly.

“I think that’s an excellent plan Shoes, and it probably wouldn’t take too long I suppose,” Jey answered in agreement.

“We’ll, I start first thing tomorrow,” Shoes said looking and sounding motivated and energized.

“Hey Shoes,” Jey said while writing in his little black book. “I never asked you your name, like your real name?” Jey continued.

Shoes paused a second looking a little bewildered. “Can you believe I almost forgot my name,” he said with a chuckle. “Nobody has asked or called me by my real name in quite some time. They normally just call me Shoes around here on the count of I always need some shoes,” he said pointing down at his worn duct taped shoes, “I do a lot of walking. It’s Ronald, Ronald Williams is my name.”

“Ronald Williams,” Jey repeated, has a nice ring to it. “I go by Jey but that’s short for Jesus,” Jey said.

“Jesus, like in the bible? Well, that fits because you like to talk about bible probably more than I do,” Shoes replied.

Jey let out a big laugh, “You got me on that point,” he responded. “Shoes, I’ve really enjoyed hanging out with you over the last week, but I’m afraid my friend this is my last day in town,” Jey explained, voice peppered with melancholy. “I’ve got to get back on the road.”

“Oh, ok,” Shoes muttered sounding and looking a little disappointed. “But hey Jey I’ve really enjoyed your company too. It beats talking to myself all day,” he added trying to lighten the mood. They both smiled wide, “hey but before you go,” Shoes said, hastily digging into the pocket of his heavily worn jacket and pulling out a dingy metal necklace with a Cross attached to it. “I found this the other day. It probably needs a good cleaning and I’m not sure exactly what metal it is, but it could be silver or even gold!” he stated excitedly while reaching his hand out eagerly for Jey to take it.

Jey gently retrieved the necklace from his hand, “I love it Shoes,” he said as he unlatched the clasp, put it around his neck and latched it back. Shoes grinned, happy that Jey liked his gift.

“Well, I got something for you too Shoes,” Jey announced grabbing his backpack off the ground. “I won’t need this backpack anymore, and here’s my little black book also, to chronicle your life journey,” he continued extending both hands with the little black book and backpack in either hand. “And there’s a cell phone inside the backpack too,” Jey explained.

A little taken aback, Shoes accepted the backpack and little black book while disclaiming, “I don’t really have nobody to call Jey, you probably should keep the cell phone, it’s probably expensive,” Shoes responded voice full of humility and gratitude.

“Oh no Shoes I insist. You will probably need it once you get the ball rolling and start saving the world; and If anybody calls, feel free to answer it,” Jey explained.

Shoes eyes lit up, “Oh yeah, see you’re already ahead of me, I didn’t think of that!” he agreed.

Jey stuck his hand out to help Shoes to his feet to properly bid him farewell. They both stood for a moment looking out into the busy area of people moving about.

Before Jey could ask Shoes replied, “Sure they will be alright, they’ve just lost their way a little and need someone to help them find it again.”

Jey smiled, “I had a feeling you would say that,” he said as he turned and gave Shoes a big hug.

Jey began to walk down the sidewalk towards the corner and just before he was out of sight Shoes called out, “Will you be back?”

“Probably not anytime soon Shoes, but I am always near, always with you even when you can’t see me. I’ve never really left you and I never will,” Jey answered. Shoes smiled and waved at Jey and Jey waved back before disappearing around the corner.

“Sounded like another deep conversation today Shoes,” Mary the corner store owner said as she walked out handing him a cool bottle of water for the heat.

“I was just talking to my buddy Jey before he left Mary,” Shoes replied taking the water bottle. Mary’s store was one of the few places around that allowed him to relax there and she was kind to him. She had listened to him many times having the most riveting conversations back and forth with himself. She never saw anyone talking to him and today was no different; she just figured he must be lonely and needed to hear someone’s voice sometimes even if it was just his own.

“Thanks for the water Mary,” Shoes said gathering his belongings. “I’m going to walk around a bit and stretch my legs,” he said with a wink.

“Ok Shoes see you later,” Mary said with a smile. She grabbed the strap of his backpack to assist him in putting it on. “Nice backpack,” she added.

“My friend Jey I was telling you about that just left gave it to me,” Shoes replied. “He gave me a nice book too Mary,” Shoes said handing her the little black book to see. She opened the first page and read the title, “The Book of Shoes,” and a single sentence, “After Shoes received his money…” of an otherwise empty book with beautiful golden edge pages.

“Do you have a cell phone now too?” Mary politely asked, “I can hear a phone ringing from you backpack.”

“Oh, that might be my friend Jey,” Shoes exclaimed quickly taking the backpack back off to retrieve the cell phone before it stopped ringing. He pressed answer and put it on speaker phone.

“Hello! Hello!” Shoes called out to the person the other end.

“Is this Ronald Williams?” the voice asked.

“This is him,” Shoes replied.

“We are calling to set up transfer of your twenty thousand dollars,” the voice stated.

“Twenty thousand dollars, I don’t have that kind of money, this must be a mistake!” Shoes shouted in shock.

“It’s no mistake Sir, the order came in moments ago,” the voice on the phone explained. “Is Mary there to assist you with the transfer Ronald? We will walk you through the entire process.” Shoes handed wide eye Mary the phone.

“Oh, and there was message left for you as well. Don’t forget to make sure you get some new shoes because you do a lot of walking,” the voice on the phone added.