Free Rita Hayworth's Shoes by Francine LaSala

of my problems at that dinner, honestly.”
    â€œI know,” she said. “But I was serious about what I said, Amy. Not everyone makes it as far as you have, and it kills me sometimes that you don’t just go and finish it up already.”
    â€œI’ve been busy,” said Amy. “I mean, until about a couple of weeks ago or so.”
    Jane gave her a gentle hug. “I know, I know. How are you feeling about all that?”
    â€œDunno,” she replied. “I guess it takes time. Honestly, I still don’t believe this thing with Liz is real. And I know in my heart of hearts that he will see that and he will come back and—”
    â€œYour heart is lying to you, Amy. It’s only holding you back. And has been for some time.”
    â€œI don’t think you understand—”
    â€œDon’t I? Look, kiddo, sometimes men leave. And sometimes they make shocking choices when they do.”
    â€œWe really never saw that coming, with Elliot. Did we?”
    â€œI’m sure there were clues along the way. And hey, stranger things have happened. Right?”
    â€œEven Jabba the Hutt couldn’t beat—”
    â€œLet’s just say his working at home wasn’t the best idea for that marriage and leave it at that.”
    â€œThat and running a business that involved daily deliveries.”
    â€œDirty deliveries,” Jane mused. They looked at each other and laughed. “It’s tough, you know. Getting past having a life with someone. But once you start to see the difference between the person who you actually are and the one you were trying to be, it does get easier. Unless you’re Grant,” Jane added, watching Grant as he stared out the window onto the street, his mother repeatedly tapping his back and whispering “There, there.”
    Amy gave Jane a puzzled look. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she said. “I think I’ve always been the same person.”
    Jane smiled. “You’ll get there. It takes time, but you’ll get there.” She gave Amy a gentle squeeze. “So what are you going to do about the shoes?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œThe shoes. Clarabelle told me the story Zoë told you guys.”
    Amy shook her head in astonishment. “Tell me, how does that kid know so many things? I mean, how could she possibly have so much information in that little head?”
    â€œGod only knows. She comes from a long line of intellectuals is my only guess.”
    â€œExcept for Elliot.”
    â€œOh, definitely not Elliot,” Jane laughed. “Speaking of intellectuals,” joked Jane as Brendan walked by the girls and smiled. Then she got serious. “He likes you, you know,” she told Amy. “Brendan does. He told me. In the kitchen. In front of my parents even,” she smirked. “Sorry you missed it.”
    â€œSounds like it was a real moment,” Amy teased.
    â€œOh, you bet,” she chuckled. “Unforgettable. I guess you can have this one.”
    â€œOh, thanks. But I don’t think I’m ready…”
    â€œThen don’t think ,” said Jane “The Universe is offering you a gift. Just take it.”
    Now Brendan approached.
    â€œI’ll see you later,” said Jane, and she stood up and walked off.
    Brendan took Jane’s place on the couch next to Amy, and the charge of attraction she felt nearly caused her to faint. “So did you really kill your boss?” he asked, and she was sure starlight shone out of his eyes.
    She had to look away. “No, not really.”
    â€œDid you want to?” Brendan asked, flirtingly.
    â€œSometimes, I guess,” she said, and smiled nervously. “I mean, really. Who doesn’t want to kill their boss sometimes?”
    â€œCan I take you to dinner some time?” he asked.
    Amy looked over at Lauren, Jane, Clarabelle, and Enid, who were all standing together and nodding her