Buffing Up

I kicked my heels against the lower rung of the shoe bench, noticing a faint haze of park dust clinging to the toes of my purple boots after walking home. Settling cross-legged on the cedar slat, I reached over and tugged a folded sunny-yellow microfiber cloth closer. Wrapping the textured fleece over my hands, I leaned forward and buffed the scuffed toe cap in firm, tight circles. Squeak-rub, squeak-rub! The synthetic leather responded with a cheerful, high-pitched friction, shedding every speck of gray until the deep purple gleamed like new under the warm hallway light. Resting my hands on my knees, I admired the spotless shine.