Ashley Goes To College - Part 2
Ashley Goes To College - Part 2
‘You’ll probably recognize these,’ I stated as I unwrapped a pristine pair of optical white Converse All-Stars. ‘They’re your classic sneak, sporty and chunky, with plenty of rubber.’
‘So it’s the rubber you like then?’ inquired Ashley.
‘Sort of, but I also like the whole image. They’re fun, casual, understated, unpretentious…’ I offered, looking for more words to better convey my adoration for classic canvas. I resisted calling them delicious.
As Ashley studied the canvas hi-top, she asked what else I had brought to show her. I opened the second box and pulled out a nice, new pair of white Converse Jack Purcells.
Ashley immediately chimed, ‘Oh, I like these.’ After studying the Jacks for a few moments she added that they felt heavy and sturdy. ‘Now these are chunky,’ she added, borrowing my term as if she were genuinely paying attention.
Ashley held the rubbery sneaker up to her face in order to smell it. ‘Man, that’s really pungent. Here, smell it,’ she prompted, as she held it up for me to smell. I tried to act nonchalant as I sniffed her offering in an almost patronizing way. After all, I didn’t want to look the part of an anxious pervert. Ashley may not have known it but I knew the smell intimately. I knew every detail about my sneakers.
‘And this is a pair of Keds Champions,’ I interjected as I produced the third and final pair of sneakers I had brought to show Ashley.
‘Those are just like mine,’ she said almost condescendingly.
‘Well, they are,’ I retorted plainly. ‘But they’re best example of your classic canvas sneaker. I mean, look at the delicately patterned sidewall, how it meets the canvas upper, almost seamlessly. Look how the beige rubber soles complement and somehow contrast beautifully with the virginal and innocent white canvas… look how the blue label stands out, proudly, a flag of quality, the culmination of a perfect simple design…’
I trailed off, sensing Ashley’s near disbelief and obvious amusement at my perverse adoration for my sneakers. ‘I didn’t think you’d get it,’ I volunteered, as almost to absolve her.
Much to my surprise, Ashley quipped, ‘No, I actually get it, believe it or not. It’s good to be passionate in your likes.’ She paused a second or two, before asking, ‘Do they fit?’
‘Which ones? The Keds?’ I wondered.
Ashley looked plainly at me. ‘Yeah, the Keds.’
‘Well, they fit just fine, but…’
‘Good,’ interrupted Ashley. ‘Why don’t you put them on?’
‘Why?’ I asked a tad embarrassed by all of this.
‘Because you obviously like them the best,’ Ashley continued, as she reached for the white Jack Purcells, grabbing the left shoe first. ‘I think I’ll wear these.’
