Father and Son

July 1985

"Listen, mom, I need those shoes, the new converse star tech. Everyone has them. Just look at them they're so cool." 

"talk to your dad about them. You know it's hard to save an extra buck now, with modern-day prices. Your dad can barely run the house." 

I walked away after that understanding that it was better if I didn't buy those shoes. The family could save the extra buck. The next day I woke up and walked into the kitchen. 

"Oh my god!" I screamed, " mom you got them for me." 

She came down the stairs and said "what?" 

"The shoes you got them, for me," I remember running to her and giving her a tight hug, letting her how much I love her. 

"But I didn't get them for you, I think your dad did." 

My 15-year-old body ran up to his bedroom and gave him a hug and thanked him. Not as tight as the one I gave to my mom, nor as meaningful. But I thanked him, put them on, and left the house.