Moral Dilemma

Sheena procured these last Christmas.

When worn in public, they average 2 comments per day ranging from the "OMG I love your shoes to OMFG I really love your shoes".

Clients, competitors, fashion mavens alike all have dripped saliva over said units. When I say, "And they're the most comfortable shoes I've had since the '99 Gucci loafers", I realize I risk physical harm and social shunning.

Today took the cake. Sitting in the front row of a presentation at George Washington U, five minutes before the presenter begins, she exclaims in my general direction (with the microphone ON) "I have to say, those are the most adorable shoes I've seen in ages.. I just had to tell y'all that".

Sheena blushed and said pssshhhaaawww, and all that, and thanked her for noticing.

But then the dilemma sets in. Everyone wants to know.. who are you wearing, where'd you get 'em, how much did you pay.

And as the clash of soul vs. sole wreaks havoc in my heart I realize that I cannot lie to another woman. I have nothing else to say but "Payless. Winnipeg. 30 bucks. Canadian".

And they all walk away. And my eyes well up. Wishing I had a better story to tell. But don't.