A Night in Her Shoes

150-word story

Ellie was twelve when she started sleeping in her shoes. She never knew when her mom was going to kick her out.

After it happened, she’d beg for quarters and call her Auntie from a payphone.

When her mom wanted her back she’d report Ellie as a runaway. The cops would roll up to Auntie’s, handcuff Ellie and shove her in the back. Ellie’d ask if they notice…