When I was 14 years old, the only thing I wanted in the whole wide world was a pair of black 8-eye Dr. Marten boots.  With most other clothes and shoes at the time, I was perfectly satisfied with a knock-off brand.  But these Docs had to be the real deal.  That AirWair tag hanging off the back was a dead giveaway.  So I started dropping hints to my parents.  My 15th birthday was coming up, and what a perfect opportunity for them to prove how much they loved me!

The only problem was that these boots were around $80 at the time, if I remember right. And my usual budget for shoes was like $12. With 5 kids, living in a small house in Oxnard, and just barely making ends meet… well, it was going to be tough.  I knew this when I asked.  I knew that they’d be stretching to get me these.  But I reminded them that I never asked for much (lies) and that I’d do everything they asked without protest (lies) and I’d keep my grades up (lies) and be kind to my siblings (lies) if ONLY I could have these boots.  They didn’t say no.  So I was very subtle (lies) and continued casually mentioning the boots.

The day before my birthday, there was no more talk of Dr. Martens.  My parents acted as if they had forgotten all about them.  So I sat in my room ob-ses-sing.  Was I really not getting the boots?  They wouldn’t do this to me, would they?  No.  How could they?  Don’t they know my whole social life depends on this?  I couldn’t take it anymore!!!

I rushed out to greet my dad when he came home from work and immediately started asking about the boots. The badgering started out innocent enough, but they just weren’t sure because it was going to be such a big expense.  I was anxious.  I really, really, really needed these boots now.  When it seemed like I wouldn’t get them, I became desperate.  After a few more questions, I asked “Can’t we at least go and try them on?  I have to look at them!”

My dad cried out in exasperation “GEEZ!!  Can’t we even TRY to surprise you?!!  You are so annoying!!! Just go get them already.  I can’t stand to hear another thing about them!!!”

My cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.  Oh man.  I had pushed my parents so hard about these stupid shoes and they were going to get them for me all along.  I felt really selfish and childish.  I quietly went with my mom to the boot store (it was a place that sold construction boots) and tried them on.  I remember feeling really guilty that I loved them so much.  I bought them sheepishly, and my mom explained to the cute, older guy working the register that she just had to have these for her 15th birthday! and he said “Hey, at least she’s not 16 yet.  Next year she’ll be asking for a car!”

I didn’t dare.

And I wore those boots into the ground.

Sometimes like this? For some reason…