“These are new shoes,” he said. He sat down and put them on without assistance. Before he put his shoes on, he stuck both feet out toward me. “See?” he said. “New socks, too. No holes. Mother was so embarrassed at the doctor’s.” He laughed. He tied his shoelaces neatly and tightly. He stood up. As he went out the door he stopped, turned the little sign. “They can disturb,” he said. “We are gone.”
