New Neighbors: Stepping into his Mother's Shoes

"Dunno...but...didn't mean to make you mad..." Mikey frowned. _Did she seem...shorter somehow?_ Or was it just how she was acting? She was usually acting like a grownup, like his mother. But right now...shuffling from foot to foot, eyes down...was that what he looked like when he was confronted about doing something wrong? "You aren't in trouble," he said. "I'm not?" Linda asked. "No, Stacy is...or she's going to be if she doesn't..." Mikey trailed off, realizing she didn't have any idea what he was talking about. Stacy had done something to her. He took a step forward, and nearly stumbled. He looked down. He was wearing a pair of beige leather shoes...the shoes his mother had kicked off.