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Size 13
Ernie Seven
When I was in the sixth grade my father took me to a surplus store
“You need bigger-sized boots every year” he said
“This year I’m going to buy you a pair that’ll last”
I tried on size seven boots and they fit snugly on my feet
“No! You’re going to have a larger pair and grow into them.”
He plopped down a pair of size 13 brown
Sorel boots in front of me
The wool lining felt roomy
That winter I tried them but they were exhausting to walk in for more than a minute.
“Just put on a few pairs of socks on and strap bungee cords around the outside.”
I wore them with bungee cords to school for one day and was laughed at
I boxed up the boots and thought “I’ll know I’m grown up when these fit.”
I forgot about the box of boots and twenty years passed until I rediscovered them.
I tried the boots on again.
They were still a little too big.
My dad and I hadn’t talked to each other in over a decade
I thought about calling him
Telling him the boots were still too big but the urge to call soon passed
I know I have some growing to do yet.
