Miles stared.
“Why?”
Renee sighed.
“Because Darius’s basketball shoes are splitting at the side.”
Darius looked embarrassed.
“They’re fine.”
“They are not fine.”
“They'll last until Friday.”
“You have varsity evaluation Monday.”
Miles slowly put the second sneaker back into the box.
Renee nodded toward Darius.
“Try it.”
Darius hesitated.
Then slipped off one of his basketball shoes.
Miles watched.
The new sneaker went onto Darius’s foot.
He stood.
Pressed down.
“It’s tight.”
Renee crouched slightly.
“Walk.”
“Mom.”
“Darius.”
He took two steps.
Miles's stomach tightened.
Darius looked toward him.
Something like apology appeared in his face.
Then Renee smiled.
“It works.”
“No, it doesn't.”
Miles spoke before he meant to.
His mother straightened.
“What?”
“It’s my size.”
“Darius is barely half a size bigger.”
“It’s my birthday.”
“I know.”
“Then why is he wearing my present?”
Renee's expression changed.
Not cruel.
Impatient.
That was almost worse.
“Miles, don't start.”
His face burned.
“I didn't start anything.”
Darius began removing the sneaker.
Renee stopped him.
“Leave it.”
Both boys stared.
Renee picked up the other shoe.
“Darius actually needs these right now.”
Miles stopped breathing.
“What?”
“You have three pairs of sneakers upstairs.”
“Not basketball shoes.”
“You don't play basketball.”
“I wanted those.”
“And you can want another pair.”
Miles stared.
His mother continued as though explaining something obvious.
“Darius has evaluations Monday.”
“If he makes varsity, college scouts start coming to games next year.”
“He needs proper shoes.”
Miles looked toward his brother.
Darius's face had gone uncomfortable.
“Mom, I can wear mine.”
“No.”
Renee held out the second shoe.
“I am not letting you risk your ankle because Miles wants expensive shoes for school.”
Miles's eyes filled.
“They were my present.”
Renee's mouth tightened.
“You are twelve.”
“And?”
“You will outgrow them in six months.”
“So will he!”
“Miles.”
Her voice sharpened.
“Enough.”
He looked at the empty box.
Then at the sneaker on Darius's foot.
The joy drained so quickly it almost embarrassed him.
He felt stupid for being excited.
Darius sat.
He began taking the shoe off again.
Renee said:
“Stop.”
“I don't want them.”