Wet Feet

Drowning in sheets of never ending rain, walls of water coming at them from every direction like a spin cycle on high. Umbrellas pop, hats are ripped from their heads, sneakers are soaked through, feet waterlogged and wrinkled, like wizened old apple dolls. Their mission is to find and purchase affordable yet stylish rubber boots in an attempt to staunch the soaking, at any cost. Well, any cost up to $30, since neither Nancy or Loretta have new boots in their budget. Nancy is kicking herself, having left her fancy assed pink rubber boots at home 600 kilometres away. This day trip into downtown is turning into a bit of a bloodletting financially. Day passes have given way to cab rides and alongeés in coffee shops with sugar fueled desserts while desperately praying for socks to dry out. Short of kicking off their shoes and wringing out the fabric, they're doing everything they can think of to dry out. Up and down the Main, searching for the right pair in the right size that are $19.99 or under. Loretta spies a travel shop with three pairs of patterned plastic and pvc made-in-China rubber boots on display outside with bins of caps and fedoras for $5. Grey and pink plaid,  black with satin decorative ribbon, and a puce coloured kalediscope design, like something out of Woolworths circa 1976. Perfect. They shake off their umbrellas, climb the stairs and maneuver their way through the hodge podge of  designer knock off sunglasses and a congested quadrant of luggage in various shapes and sizes. Nancy points to the display. C'est combien, les bottes? Dix neuf quartre-vingt dix neuf. The clerk speaks French with an accent, Iranian, maybe. The women confer. Definitely plaid. Loretta asks, what's your best price on these? He replies, in barely accented English, I'll give them to you for twenty dollars. The differentiation between languages cost them a penny. Peeling off her sopping wet socks, Nancy slides her feet into the new boots, wrapping her electric blue soaking wet runners in a plastic bag, refreshed and renewed, ready to take on the rest of the trip. Leave a penny, take a penny. Dry feet? Priceless.

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