Shoe Shopping

Today after school, I made a brave foray into the wild world of shoe shopping, for the boys.

We hit up JCPenny for some summer flip-flops & some new sneakers. Lord bless the sales guy who put up with us trying on half the shoes on the shelves!

Eventually we picked out a pair of slip-on Vans for Little Bro (yay no laces!) & some cool lace up Vans with blue accents for Big Bro.

Since we were buying them on a limited DHS voucher (provided specifically for purchasing clothes & shoes), I needed to max it out, so we went upstairs to the boys department.

The boys of course bee-lined for the display of "Avengers" shirts (with toy!).
I plopped them on the floor, with my iPhone to watch PBS Kids videos, while I looked around some more.

As I browsed, the sales gal asked her usual, "Do you need any help?" then, hesitantly, "Are you their worker?", glancing at the boys, happily engrossed in their movie.

"Their foster mom", I replied, shyly.

Then, unexpectedly, "I-- I'm actually the one who called Protective Services on their [situation]."

Dumbstruck, I could only nod, as she spilled the details of the worst day of my boys' life.

Although she had called DHS because she was concerned about the welfare of two small boys, it sent them spiraling into upheaval & trauma, hurtling straight into our lives, into our arms.

It was a surreal moment, & all I could do was manage to thank her & to assure her that they were doing well.

In a daze, I let the boys get the silly the Avengers' shirt/toy combo and herded
them both downstairs to pay for the lot of it; grateful for the chance to get them
what they need, and some of what can make them happy again.