FHS Two

Copyright 2010

It was a cold December day and the wind howled between the buildings of the city making it so much colder.Laura Faust was resigned to life on the street. She walked against the wind wearing untied army boots, the same army boots she wore in Iran.She used to curse the heat of the dessert during the war when she was there but on this day she would welcome any heat.The wind was stinging her face and her fingers and toes were numb.The warmth she felt from the cheap brandy she finished was long gone.Laura was trying to make it to the warm grate by the hotel so she could spend the afternoon in some warmth.

Tea Alexander stood on the frigid corner in her new toasty warm Ugg boots waiting for her ride to work.She hugged her self tightly and bobbed up and down to keep warm but at least it seemed her feet would never be cold again.She watched the surprisingly young looking bag lady shuffle up the opposite street in unlaced army boots.Tea hoped that woman would find someplace warm to stay.Just then an old Taurus pulled t the curb. It was Teas ride.

Carly rolled down the passenger window and asked Whats the bag for? as Sue popped the trunk.

Its toasty in here cooed Tea as she nestled into the back seat.Sue pressed the gas pedal with her festively socked foot and pulled away from the curb. Even on the coldest day of the year Sue was still driving without her shoes.

See what my boyfriend bought me said Tea as she thrust her left leg between the two front seats.

Are those real Ugg boots? Carly excitedly asked as she pulled it off of Teas foot.

Hey, what are you doing, Tea asked with annoyance as she pulled back her leg?Her stocking foot was suddenly feeling much colder.

They match chocolate tights perfectly too said Carly as she began untying her ankle boot.

What are you doing Tea asked excitedly as she saw Carly pulling off her ankle boot?

Im going to try it on said Carly.

Give me my boot back demanded Tea.

Behave girls said Sue like a parent as her stocking foot began pushing on the brake.

Do you mind if I try your boot on Carly politely asked?

I guess so, Tea reluctantly replied as her shoeless stocking covered toes seemed to get colder.

You have really nice boyfriend said Sue as her red and green stocking foot switched back to the accelerator. Uggs are expensive

Thats not the half of it, said Tea, He arranged for a limo to pick me up after work to take me to the airport so I can fly and meet him in New York.He and I are going to spend Christmas at his parents.

Youre meeting his parents already asked Carly with a tinge of surprise while she examined Teas Ugg boot on her foot.It must be serious and you a lucky girl to have a guy like that.Carly crossed her right leg over her left knee and began untying her other boot.

Id love to go to New York and see a Broadway play Sue wistfully said to herself.

Im not giving you my other boot declared Tea.

Leo watched Sue walk across the parking lot in her stocking feet.He saw Carly walking with one boot on and the carrying her other boot and he saw Tea wearing a new pair of Ugg boots. Leo thought it was a mildly interesting sight but he focused intently on Teas new Ugg boots.

There was sun shining down on the grate when Laura arrived.A dumpster shielded the wind glorious heat rose from grate.Laura sat down in comfort.Eying the area and seeing she was alone she removed her old army boots and admired the new pristine white socks on her feet.She had picked the socks up at a church in the morning and for the moment the socks were her prized possession.Wiggling her toes her feet soon found the warmest part of the grate.This was a wonderful spot.

Tea put her new Ugg boots in her locker and picked the high heels she would be wearing at work.Her feet had felt so good in the boots and now they were going to spend the next few hours trapped in high heel shoes.She carried her shoes to the full length mirror and put them on the floor. Doing a quick twirl in front of the mirror she checked her pantyhose for runs.Looking perfect she stepped into her shoes and went to the pre shift meeting.

Sue was standing in her stocking feet talking to Leo.There was a sudden cold draft as Carly entered from outside after finishing her cigarette.

Im freezing said Carly, This jacket is worthless.

Maybe if you stopped spending your money on shoes you could by a coat said Sue.

Or you could stop smoking added Tea.

Carly shot both of them a dirty look.

OK, said Leo, Were just catering one Christmas party for a few hours this afternoon and then we can go home.We got a ****tail hour.Sue you can work the bar.Carly and Tea you got hors doeuvres trays for the first hour.They have a sit down meal everyone will serve and bus.There is no dancing they are just in for a meal so we should out of here pretty quick.

Cool said Sue realizing she could be in her stocking feet behind the bar.

Tea walked behind the bar next Sue kicked one high heel off and placed her stocking foot next to Sues stocking foot.Tea was now three inches shorter.

I need two White Russians and mix them slow so I can rest my toes Tea said.

Bit of a poet , replied Sue.

I just want to put my boots on again said Tea as she slipped her other foot half out of her shoe.

Why not just go in stocking feet asked Sue?

Tea looked down at Sues beautiful stocking feet, What kind of pantyhose do you wear mine?Id have runs in all over if I worked in my stocking feet.

Carly worked the room with her hors doeuvres tray making her way to the woman who seemed to be the boss.She suspected but needed a closer look to be sure that the boss lady was wearing genuine Christian Louboutins.She was.Excitedly but casually Carly moved her foot next to the foot of the boss lady and confirmed that her Louboutins were her size.Carly wanted to try on those shoes but there was the problem of another womans foot being in the shoe.

All during the ****tail hour Carly kept her eyes on the woman wearing the Louboutins.A couple of other women at the party were walking around in stocking feet their cheap shoes under their table.Numerous women were slipping their feet in and out of their shoes as they schmoozed but the Louboutin lady seemed to have those impossibly high heels glued to her feet.

It might have been all that she drank or it might have been the welcoming heat emanating from the grate but soon Laura fell asleep.

Once the party was seated for dinner Tea, Sue, and Carly went about the task of serving the guests.Carly placed a salad plant in front of the Louboutin lady when she heard a muffled thud under her chair.Stepping back a bit Carly glanced down and saw the red sole of a Louboutin pump on its side.The Louboutin lady had crossed her ankles beneath her chair and let her shoe slip off of her dark stocking clad foot.Her reinforced toes were gliding across the smooth leather of the shoe when suddenly she moved her stocking foot a few inches away.It would be so easy to grab the Louboutin Carly thought but she continued serving salad.

As the servers picked up the salad plates Carly saw the Louboutin lady shift in her seat and tuck her stocking foot under her opposite knee.She massaged her toes a bit and then slipped other foot half out of its shoe.The appetizers were coming out and Carly saw the most exciting thing.The Louboutin slipped her other shoe completely off and adjusted its position under her chair.Her lone stocking foot then fished around for her other shoe and deftly positioned that shoe next to the other one.Then she placed her stocking foot flat on the floor.To Carly it looked liked the Louboutin lady had taken her shoes off for the duration of the dinner.

This was not an opportunity to be passed up thought Carly. She dropped a napkin close to the Louboutin lady and took her shoes.Carly was very excited as she scurried to the dressing room.As she entered she kicked off one shoe and walked out of the other.Quickly she plopped down in a chair and examined the Louboutins.They were her size and they matched her stocking shade.She pulled one shoe and then the other.They felt so good!

Sue and Tea noticed Carly was not in the dining room.

Wheres Carly Sue asked Tea.

I dont know replied Tea, Maybe shes having a smoke break.

Better check Tea, commanded Sue We have to pick up and serve soon.

Tea went into the break room and saw Carly standing in front of the mirror wearing the Louboutins.

What are you doing asked Tea?

Im trying on the customers Christian Louboutons , Carly calmly replied.

The customer gave you her shoes? Tea inquired.

No.She took them off under the table and I took them to try them on. Carly told Tea.

Youre Crazy Carly. You got a sick shoe fetish replied Carly, First my boot and then a customers shoe.

In the dining room the Louboutin lady put her stocking foot that was tucked under her knee back on to the floor and started feeling for her shoes.She was puzzled that the only thing her hosed toes felt was carpet.Her feet flit around a little more and soon she glanced around under her chair.

Sue came into the break room.

What are you girls doing asked sue, Some woman out there lost her shoes under the table and is making some kind of issue out of it.

Tea looked at Carly and Carly looked scared.Sue looked at both of them and was puzzled.

Give me the shoes Carly demanded Tea.

Carly kicked the shoes off as if they were on fire. Tea grabbed the shoes and ran into the dining room. She brought them to the Louboutin lady and made up a story of how Carly noticed some spilt salad dressing on the shoes and took them to clean them before the shoes were ruined.The Louboutin was sheepishly embarrassed but very grateful.Carly was very grateful Tea.

Laura awoke from her nap her stocking feet now cold and her army boots gone.Someone had stolen her boots.They were the last remnants she had of a proud military service record before her decent into alcohol dependent homelessness.They were the only shoes she had.

The rest of the dinner party was uneventful and the girls were ready to leave when Carly handed Teas Ugg boots to her.

Thank you for getting me out of trouble with the Louboutin lady said Carly.

Ladies, Ladies said Leo. You girls have been with me during the last two lean years.Youve given up a lot in salary and benefits and you have worked really hard.You helped save my business.I can reinstate your benefits now. Raises might come a little later next year but I have gotten each of you a special gift but only two of the gifts are here.Tea, Im sorry but your gift will come after Christmas.

Tea gave Leo an understanding nod and began pulling on her boots.

Sue said Leo, You always talk about seeing a Broadway play.I got you tickets for a flight to New York and tickets to a play.

Sue was speechless and on the verge of tears.

Carly said Leo You can get rid of that ratty old jacket because I got you a leather coat.

Carly uttered an almost inaudible Thank you.

Again, Im sorry Tea said Leo.

Tea watched Carly and Sue leave and settle in with a cup of coffee while she waited for her limo.The peace of the moment was disturbed with the vibrating sound of Teas cell phone.Her boy friend was snowed in at an airport so Teas Christmas trip would be delayed a day or two. Tea thought about calling a cab to go home but decided to see if Leo could give her a ride.

Leo explained that he had prepared a meal for a homeless shelter and he wouldnt be going home for a while.Tea said she had nothing better to do than help.They both set off for the shelter.

It was a rewarding experience for Tea helping at the shelter and with the last of the homeless leaving Tea decided to have a plate of food for herself, as she was very hungry.Her feet were tired and hot so she took off her boots.As she was eating a vaguely familiar looking young homeless woman in dirty stocking feet walked in and asked if she was too late for food.Immediately Tea stood and scrounged together a plate for Laura.They chatted and talked as they ate.

The shelter had some donated clothes and Tea suggested that they both go down together to find some warm clothes, clean socks and shoes for Laura.Laura watched Tea pull on her boots and they both went down to the donation center. They found a pair of warm tights for Laura, jeans, and a very warm coat but no shoes.

Moved by Lauras story and the feeling she deserved more Tea removed her boots and gave them to Laura. Ill be OK she told Laura.

Tea sat in Leos truck sticking her stocking feet under the heater to warm them.Rubbing her toes together she closed her eyes and waited for Leo to get done in the back of his truck.

That was some wonderful thing you did. Leo said startling Tea.

Tea opened her eyes and Leo handed her an Ugg boot box. I did get you a gift said Leo, But when I saw you had a new pair of Ugg boots today I thought I would have to get you something else but now I guess I can give you these.

Laura and Tea both had warm comfortable feet that night.