The Shoe Incident

The Shoe Incident

“Someone left their shoes in the middle of the kitchen floor,” Mom said, looking straight at Tommy.

“Can you identify them?” Tommy asked, with a straight face.

Mom held in a chuckle. Tommy had just recently gotten hooked on old crime mysteries on TV. Though she was nervous that some crimes would be too scary for an eight-year-old, she watched his favorite with him for a while. It seemed OK. Likely because it was old, and also held an ongoing, always unsuccessful, romance between the two main characters.

Popping into her own character she said, “Brown tie up sneakers, catsup stain on the left one…”

“Ah,” said Tommy, “Has this ever happened here before?”

“It used to happen daily, but someone grew up quite a bit more, and it had actually stopped for quite some time. That’s why I was surprised, and a bit unhappy that it might be starting again,” she said.

“Well, looking into the situation, I think this time there may be a ‘legetarant’ reason.”

“Oh! Well, what might that ‘legitimate’ reason be?”

A quick smile crossed his face, then, “Do you see this shoe?” he pointed to the left sneaker, it seems to have a broken shoe lace. Maybe the “perp” thought that if he left it out, then he wouldn’t forget to ask for another one.”

“Well, that was quite smart for the perp. However, I think the perp knows that we keep shoe laces in the drawer over there,” she pointed.

“Yes, I believe you are right. However, the perp still has trouble getting them into those holes correctly…”

“I think I can fix that. Thank you, Officer Tom.”

“You’re welcome!” Tommy said, and then burst out laughing.

Mom laughed too, and gave Officer Tom a big hug.

Life is good again.