Part 1

Michelle Burton and Angie Drake were on their way to the Student Union at Midwestern State University. The two eighteen-year old freshmen were roommates at the dorm, and though they had met just two weeks before, at the start of the fall semester, they had already become pretty good friends.

"This calculus class is killing me!" Michelle groaned.

"Two weeks in, and I'm already lost."

"At least you're not in advanced honors English," Angie replied.

"I've already got a 20 page paper due."

"Yeah, but at least you're into creative writing. I'm an art major who has to take calculus!" Michelle shot back.

"Well, I guess it sucks to be you!" Angie said, and mockingly stuck out her tongue. Michelle shoved her playfully, and the two laughed. They noticed a girl walking past them, wearing a sorority t-shirt with the letters "beta" and "gamma"on it. The girl looked like any other college student, except that she was barefoot, without a shoe or sock in sight.

The girl was walking down the sidewalk without a care. She smiled and nodded at Michelle and Angie as she passed them. After the girl had gone some distance, Angie spoke quietly to Michelle.

"You know, that's like the tenth girl I've seen walking around barefoot since we got here."

"I've seen several, too," Michelle replied. "What's up with that?"

"That girl had a sorority shirt. Maybe it's an initiation thing." Angie wondered.

"Could be. Actually, I think it's kind of cool," Michelle laughed. "Let your toes be free, right?" She wiggled her toes in her flip-flops.

"Whatever," Angie rolled her eyes. Her feet were just fine in her tennis shoes and socks.

The two girls came around the corner of a building and saw a big crowd milling around. About two dozen tables were set up, with banners emblazoned with Greek letters hanging from them. The various frats and sororities were all trying to draw interest in their group, whether through academic standards, social standing or good old fashioned partying. Angie and Michelle had little interest in "paying for friends" as they saw it, so they decided to give the affair a wide berth.

Then, Michelle noticed something at the edge of the crowd. A table with a "Beta Gamma" banner, and three girls wearing matching "Beta Gamma" shirts. The three girls were barefoot. The Beta Gammas weren't making any grand performance to draw attention, they just seemed to be letting those who were interested come to them.

"Hey, look at that!" Michelle nudged Angie. "Let's find out what the barefoot thing is about."

Angie shrugged, though she was a little curious. The two girls went over to the Beta Gamma table.

"Hi, I'm Tracy Hoffman, president of Beta Gamma," said a cute brunette. "Are you guys interested?"

"Well, a little bit," answered Michelle. "We were wondering what's up with the whole barefoot thing?"

"Really? You're the first ones to ever ask about it," Tracy deadpanned, then she and the other two Beta Gammas laughed.

"No, seriously, it's a statement that we make, for a lot of reasons, one of which is to show that we're not your stereotype sorority."

"So, it's just a gimmick?" Angie asked.

"Oh, no," Tracy replied. "We go barefoot all the time, everywhere."

"All the time? Everywhere?" Angie repeated. Tracy nodded.

Angie and Michelle looked at each other, a bit confused.

Tracy laughed again. "Here, why don't you take some of our literature and see for yourself. Our phone number and e-mail is on the back if you want to know more." She handed Angie and Michelle several pamphlets, and the two continued on their way to the Student Union.

"Barefoot all the time? That's crazy," Angie stated, after they had walked a bit.

"Yeah, I guess," Michelle replied, but she seemed lost in thought.

Part 2

That night, Angie sat at her computer, working on her English paper. Michelle lounged on her bed, reading through the Beta Gamma pamphlets. For some reason, she was fascinated.

According to the literature, the Beta Gamma sorority was founded in 1979, by a young woman named Jane Geiser. Jane wanted to create a sorority that provided a progressive and empowering atmosphere for college girls, something that was not about social climbing or drunken parties. The "barefoot thing" was a big part of the Beta Gamma philosophy.

Going barefoot at all times showed that a young woman was strong, yet vulnerable, tough but sensual. It was healthy to go barefoot, moreso than wearing shoes, really.

The pamphlet listed testimonials from several Beta Gammas who noted that they felt more alive and energized once they started going barefoot all the time.

"Shoes and socks are evil!" said a girl from Kansas.

A girl from Virginia raved that "It's amazing how much you can enjoy the world through the soles of your feet!"

"I never knew how much I was suffocating my feet until I let them breathe!" offered a girl from Idaho.

Michelle looked at her own feet and wiggled her toes. She always kicked off her shoes when she got home, but she had never thought much about it, until today. Now, the idea of not wearing shoes or socks ever again seemed very appealing.

She looked over at Angie, typing away on the computer. As always, Angie wore her tennis shoes and socks.

It occurred to Michelle that Angie was almost never barefoot. She wore slippers to and from the shower, and always put on socks after she had dried off. She always slept in socks, too.

Michelle had known other girls like that, but suddenly, it just seemed strange.

"Hey, Angie," Michelle called. "You should read this. It's pretty interesting."

Angie snorted derisively. "No thanks. I'm not interested in being a Greek hobbit," she replied, not looking away from the screen.

"Seriously. They're not just about going barefoot to be weird," Michelle said. "They're into civil rights, protecting the environment, promotion of the arts and a lot of grassroots stuff."

Angie turned around. That was interesting. One thing she liked about Michelle was the fact that they shared some pretty strong progressive left-wing beliefs.

"Well, okay. I'll take a look. Give me some of that stuff." Angie started to read about the Beta Gammas, as Michelle dialed the phone.

"Is this Tracy?" she asked, after someone answered. "Great! Hi. This is Michelle Burton. We met at your table today. My friend Angie and I were interested in learning more about Beta Gamma." She paused for the response. "That'll be fine. We'll be there! See you then!"

Michelle hung up. Angie looked up from the pamphlet. "They're having a meeting for new pledges tomorrow night." Michelle said. "You're in, right?"

"Yeah, yeah," Angie nodded. "I do like what they stand for, but this going barefoot thing is pretty wacky."

Michelle looked a bit crestfallen.

"Don't worry. I'm going with you," Angie assured her. Michelle brightened up instantly.

Part 3

Angie couldn't sleep.

The ideals of the Beta Gammas appealed to her, but she kept thinking about bare feet.

It wasn't that she was grossed out by feet, or thought they were ugly. It was just that the idea of going barefoot everywhere was so alien to her, and to the way she had grown up.

Her parents had always insisted that shoes and socks be worn at all times. Open toed shoes were not acceptable. Slippers were to be worn any time shoes and socks were not necessary. Socks were not explicitly required for sleep, but her parents wore socks to bed, so it was just assumed.

Even at the pool or beach, she was expected to wear those lame slip on aqua shoes unless she was actually swimming in a pool.

She had seen Michelle and plenty of other girls walk around the dorm or their houses barefoot, but it was just something she didn't or couldn't do. Or could she?

Angie finally drifted off to sleep, and she dreamed.

She was standing in a forest somewhere.

She liked the woods, and started walking, enjoying the sights and sounds.

For some reason, she felt clumsy, and kept tripping and stumbling.

She heard some soft laughter, and turned to see a young woman sitting in a tree. It was Tracy, the Beta Gamma president.

She was barefoot, of course.

Angie could see the soles of Tracy's feet. They were a little dirty, but it just seemed appropriate. Her toes were spread out, and they seemed to be the most beautiful feet in the world, natural and free.

"Take those stupid things off your feet. It's great!" Tracy gently urged.

Angie looked at her feet. She was wearing her normal shoes and socks, but they just seemed ugly and heavy for some reason. Suddenly, her shoes started untying themselves.

She kicked her left shoe off, then the right. They disappeared somewhere in the woods, and she didn't care.

Then, her socks seemed to just slide off her feet. They too vanished in the underbrush, not to be seen again.

Angie looked at her bare feet. Of course she recognized them, but they were still unfamiliar to her.

She wiggled her toes, and dug them into the soft earth. It felt great.

Tracy jumped down from the tree. "There you go! Isn't that better?" Angie nodded in agreement. "Well, come on," Tracy said, moving off into the woods.

Angie followed, savoring the dirt, leaves and twigs under her liberated soles. Her feet felt alive for the first time in her life.

Soon Tracy and Angie came out into a wide meadow. The grass was heavenly between Angie's toes.

A whole group of girls wearing Beta Gamma t-shirts was waiting for them. Michelle was with them.

Every foot was bare and wonderful.

Bursting with joy, Tracy and Angie rushed to join the group, eager to leave those awful shoes and socks behind forever.

Angie woke from her dream with a pleasant feeling. Except in her sock imprisoned feet.

They felt hot, almost like they were burning up.

She worked her right sock off with her left toe, and then did the same with the left sock. Just the feel of the warm air under the blanket was a sensation on her naked feet.

Wow, that's so great, she thought.

She fell back to sleep, smiling and wiggling her freed toes.

Part 4

Angie and Michelle got ready for the get together at the Beta Gamma house. They had decided to dress nice, but casual. Then it came down to the question of footwear.

Michelle was torn between a pair of flip flops or some dressier sandals. Of course, the third choice, which she was also weighing, was just to go barefoot.

"The sandals go better with your outfit, but flip flops are probably fine," Angie said. "I doubt these girls are too worried about coordinating shoes."

Michelle laughed. "That's true, but I'm not quite sure I'm ready to go all the way yet," she answered. "Of course, you're not even going part of the way." Michelle nodded at Angie's loafers and trouser sock clad feet.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Look, we're not members of this house yet. We're just checking it out," Angie grumbled.

"Okay, but don't you want to borrow a pair of my sandals, or something?" Michelle offered.

"No, I'm fine. Just decide what you're doing already. We're going to be late," Angie replied.

"Alright, I'll go with the flips. I don't want to be barefoot by myself."

Michelle slipped on her flip flops, wiggling her toes to make sure they were on al the way. A part of her was disappointed. She thought if Angie would have at least worn sandals, she would have had the courage to go barefoot.

Angie and Michelle arrived at the Beta Gamma house. It was a large three story house at the end of a cul-de-sac. There was a big, well-maintained yard, and a wooded area behind it.

The noise from inside told the girls that they were probably some of the last arrivals.

They stepped onto the porch and noticed a pile of shoes. There was also a mat with two rainbow colored bare foot prints stenciled on it.

Michelle rang the bell. Tracy answered the door.

"Hey, glad you could make it!" Tracy greeted. She looked down at their feet, and laughed. "I always wonder who's going to show up with shoes on. It's about fifty-fifty. Go ahead and kick those things off and come on in!"

Michelle had no problem with going barefoot inside, and added her shoes to the pile by the door. Angie hesitated.

"I'd really rather not right now," she said, almost embarrassed.

Tracy shrugged. "Suit yourself. But I imagine you'll change your mind pretty quickly." Angie and Michelle followed Tracy inside.

Michelle leaned close to Angie. "You're going to look sillier with shoes on than you will going barefoot," she whispered.

Angie shot a hard look at her friend, but didn't answer. She did feel a little foolish, but she wasn't ready to go barefoot, especially in front of a bunch of strangers.

Tracy led them into the main living room area. About thirty girls were gathered for the meeting. All of them appeared to be barefoot.

A few seemed a little timid about it, curling their feet under them, but most of the girls didn't mind at all. Angie did notice one girl, standing kind of shyly in the corner, who was wearing shoes and socks. Angie was a little relieved. At least she wasn't the only one.

Introductions were made, and the girls mingled. Angie made her way to the other shod girl. The girl looked up and gave her a nervous smile.

"Hi there. Glad to see I'm not the only shoe loving weirdo in this place," Angie offered. "I'm Angie, by the way."

"I'm Lena. Nice to meet you," The girl seemed to perk up.

"So what are you doing here? I came with a friend who was really interested," Angie asked.

"I wanted to join a sorority, because my mom had been in one, but all the other ones seemed kind of stuck-up and mean. The Beta Gammas were the only ones who were nice," Lena explained.

"And they're still nice," she quickly added. "I was just by myself because I felt kind of awkward."

"Yeah, this whole barefoot thing is weird," Angie added. "I mean what's wrong with a nice pair of shoes? Or socks?"

"Actually, I love to go barefoot!" Lena exclaimed. "I just don't like to do it in front of other people."

"Why not?" Angie asked, wondering how she herself would answer that question.

"Because my feet are ugly," Lena said sheepishly.

"Oh, I doubt that. And so what? They're just feet! Everybody has them," Angie reassured her. "Look, all these girls are barefoot. Do you really think your feet are so ugly they would stand out in the crowd?"

Lena mulled it over for a minute. Then she smiled. "You're right! I should just do it," she said.

She quickly yanked off her left shoe, then the right. Then her socks were pulled off in an instant, then wadded up and stuck in her shoes. Lena happily wriggled her freshly bared toes in the soft carpet. "That's it! Oh, this is good!"

Angie smiled. "Actually, you have really pretty feet. I guess going barefoot has been good for them, even in private," Angie said.

"Oh, thanks! I guess they are kind of cute," Lena laughed. "Hey, you should take your shoes and socks off, too! It feels great!"

"Uh, well, no, I'm not sure about that yet. Maybe later," Angie stammered. She could tell Lena was happier barefoot, and watching the girl's feet revel in their new freedom made her a little jealous.

Deep down, she thought that she did want to join in, but something still stopped her. She'd told Lena they were just feet. Angie had feet, too.

So what was wrong with her? Why couldn't she bring herself to just go barefoot?

Part 5

Tracy stepped into the center of the room. Everyone stopped talking and gave her their attention.

"First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for coming. For the pledges, and potential pledges, I hope you like what you've seen so far, and I hope you'll join us. For the Beta Gamma sisters, I'd like to thank you for making everyone so welcome."

Tracy addressed the group. "Now, I'd like to give you my version of what Beta Gamma sorority is all about. I know you've read the pamphlets, but I think a personal insight is good to have, too."

She looked around the room, taking care to make eye contact with all the newcomers. "Jane Geiser started Beta Gamma because she couldn't find what she was looking for in any other sorority. She wanted something that was about celebrating the power of being female. All she saw in other sororities was a breeding ground for trophy wives and snobs.

"To be fair, that's a generalization, but it was Jane's experience. So anyway, Jane founded her own sorority, for young women who had been excluded, or just felt like they didn't fit in to the traditional sorority girl role."

Tracy let her words sink in for a moment, then she continued. "Beta Gamma is for all the girls who are too brainy, too tomboyish, too shy, too sensitive, too non-conformist, too...whatever...to be accepted by other sororities. We believe in total acceptance of one's spiritual beliefs and sexual preferences. We don't turn our noses up at anyone who doesn't fit some preconceived mold.

"We believe in making the world a better place, not just in getting a big diamond on your finger or snaring the perfect man," she paused, then said, "Not that we have anything against men. I mean, I happen to like them a lot."

Some giggles rippled through the crowd. "Well, that's all I've got. Now I'd like to turn it over to a few of the sisters to share their thoughts. Phoebe?"

Phoebe took Tracy's place at the center of the room.

Phoebe looked like a classic "hippy chick." She wore a flowing gypsy skirt and a peasant blouse. She had bangle bracelets on both arms and both ankles. She had three toe rings on each foot.

Seeing Phoebe's beautiful feet made Michelle instantly decide she was going to get some toe rings.

To Angie, it looked like Phoebe had never worn shoes in her life, and it was amazing. Her feet were perfect. It almost made Angie want to rip off her shoes and socks, but she resisted the urge.

"Two years ago, I came to Midwestern State, and was a total fish out of water," Phoebe explained. "I grew up in a small commune, and had never seen anything like this. I mean, I had a good education at the commune, so I wasn't a total ignoramus, but it was almost like culture shock. It didn't seem like there was anyone like me. I was becoming so desperate just to fit in, I almost bought a pair of Nikes."

A few good-natured boos from the crowd. "I know. It was that bad. I mean, I'm a girl who's been barefoot since birth. My mom never saw a need to put shoes on me, and neither did I.

"Luckily, I happened to meet a Beta Gamma, Lupe, literally 100 feet from the shoe store. She noticed my bare feet, and of course I noticed hers. We struck up a conversation, and the rest is history."

"Really, I don't think I would have made it past the first semester if it hadn't been for Beta Gamma." Phoebe drew a round of applause as she finished.

"Thanks, Phoebe," Tracy said. "Good thing we saved your feet before they got ruined by those Nike prisons." Everyone laughed. "Colleen?"

Colleen took her place in the middle. She looked like a total preppy, homecoming queen type. She wore a Beta Gamma t-shirt and stylish jeans.

But, of course, instead of trendy footwear, she was barefoot.

Angie could tell Colleen had worn shoes in her life, but her feet were still natural and beautiful in a way she had really never seen before tonight.

"I was one of those stuck-up sorority snobs," Colleen confessed. "My freshman year, I was Zeta Rho Tau. One of the worst. I thought everything was great, and I was on top of the world.

"Then I found out one of my Zeta sisters was sleeping with my boyfriend. When I went to my other sisters for support, they laughed at me for being so stupid. They had all known about it for months and thought it was a big joke. They had bets on how long it would take me to figure it out," Colleen paused, obviously a bit shaken up, even now.

"I ended up just crying on a bench on campus. I wanted to die. Then a few girls from Beta Gamma were passing by, and they stopped to help me out. They didn't know who I was or anything, they just wanted to help out because they could see I was hurting. That's pretty rare in this world."

A tear dripped down her face, but she composed herself.

"After we talked for awhile, the girls invited me to go camping with them that night. I went, because I sure didn't have anything better to do at that moment."

Then she laughed. "The funny thing," Colleen continued, "is that I was so upset that I didn't even register that the girls were all barefoot until later on, around the campfire. Then I asked them about it, and they explained the whole barefoot philosophy of Beta Gamma. Right then, I ripped off my shoes and socks and threw them in the fire.

"I haven't worn any since. I think some of my old shoe stores must have gone bankrupt without my business."

Everyone cheered and applauded, and Colleen got some pats on the back as she sat back down.

Tracy came to the center of the room once again.

"Just for the record, burning shoes and socks is not a good idea. The smell is terrible," Tracy joked. "Well, thanks Colleen, we love you. Now, I'm sure some of you pledges have questions. Who'd like to start?"

A girl in the front raised her hand.

"I'm totally down with the bare feet. Man, I hate shoes!" the girl stated. "But my question is, don't you get a lot of grief from the administration? I went barefoot a few times in high school, and they acted like I brought dynamite to class!" That drew some knowing laughs.

"Well, first of all, Midwestern is a pretty liberal school, so they don't care too much about harmless self-expression. Second, we have the highest combined GPA of any Greek organization on campus. We make the rest of them look good. And most importantly, we do a lot of good work in the community. People see us and say 'hey, you're the barefoot girls!,' and it's a good thing.

"A few years ago, an elderly lady lost her house in a fire. The Beta Gammas were there the next day helping to rebuild it, barefoot of course. It was all over the news, and the town gave us a public service award."

Tracy pointed out a bronze plaque on the wall. "So, the short answer is: no, we don't get hassled by the administration."

"What about jobs? I mean, after graduation?" another girl piped up. "Going barefoot while we're here is cool, but how does it help us in the real world?"

"Good question," Tracy began. "It's true some of us end up in shod jobs, but you'd be surprised how many options you have to work barefoot. An awful lot of Beta Gammas become entrepreneurs, setting their own work rules, and being very successful at it.

"And, that's another plus to sisterhood. We can put you in touch with alumni who are very barefoot friendly and can give you great jobs. It's sort of our version of an old boy network."

Several of the girls looked at each other, liking the sound of that.

"I have a question," Angie said. "What's the point of going barefoot all the time? I know what the pamphlet said about strength and making a statement and all that. But why is it so important for all of you to be barefoot? I just don't get it."

"I'm not surprised that you were the one to ask that question," Tracy began. "And there's a very good answer to it."

Part 6

"The reason we always go barefoot is because it's good for us, on a physical, mental and spiritual level," Tracy said. "Really, it's as simple as that."

"But that's not really an answer. That's just an opinion," Angie protested.

"Okay, fair enough," Tracy admitted. "So let me explain it: human feet are meant to be bare. Whatever your concept of the origin of life, people have always been barefoot. No one has ever been born with shoes or socks on.

"Our feet are meant to feel the air. Our soles are meant to have contact with the earth. Our toes are meant to flex and grasp and be useful appendages."

Tracy reached into her pocket and dropped a coin on the floor. Angie was amazed as Tracy used her toes almost like fingers, effortlessly picking up the coin.

Tracy held it between her big and second toes, then flipped the coin into the air and caught it in her hand, slipping it back into her pocket.

"And I can write with my toes, work a TV remote, just about anything. I can do this because I've gone barefoot constantly for the last three years. My feet are living, breathing, fully functional parts of my body, not just stumps that I use to stand on. My feet are perfectly healthy, something most shoe wearers can't say."

"Alright, so your feet get exercise. It makes sense that they would be healthier," Angie agreed.

"Okay, but there's more. Mentally, my senses are more alert. I'm constantly in touch with my surroundings. Having my feet free keeps my stress level down. With less stress, I can focus on what I'm doing and stay sharp. Remember when I said we had the highest GPA in the Greek system? That's not a coincidence."

Angie seemed skeptical, but she appeared to be mulling it over.

"And then there's the spiritual component," Tracy continued. "It's not something that can be explained scientifically, but there is a real connection to the natural world that you can only get from walking barefoot over its surface. Shoes are a barrier that separates humanity from its roots. Keeping your feet bare grounds you, but lets your spirit soar at the same time.

"When we're barefoot, we feel closer to our fellow humans. For us specifically, it strengthens our bonds of sisterhood. So, that's why we go barefoot. Did I answer your question?"

"Yeah, I guess you did," Angie responded.

"So take those things off!" Tracy urged. Several others voiced their agreement. Angie suddenly felt very awkward.

"I just - I don't - I just can't. I feel like I'm being pressured," she stammered.

"Okay, that's cool. We're not about forcing anyone to do something they're not comfortable with. Let's have a hand for Angie," Tracy said.

The crowd applauded, offering her praise for being true to herself. Angie felt better.

"Alright, enough of the serious stuff! Let's have some fun!"

Somebody turned on some music, and the girls got back to socializing. Michelle gave Angie a hug.

"Hey, it's alright. If this isn't your thing, we can still be friends," Michelle laughed.

Angie smiled. The problem was, deep down, Angie thought this was her thing, if she could just let herself go.

Part 7

Later, Angie and Michelle left the party. Michelle slipped her feet back into her flip flops. Angie started to say something, but held her tongue.

They had gone about 100 feet when Michelle stopped. "Hey, what am I doing? I don't need these things anymore!" she exclaimed.

She swiped her flip flops off and carried them in her hand. She started walking again.

The sensation of the cool sidewalk under her now naked soles was exhilarating. She stepped onto the grass, and it was even more exhilarating. It wasn't like she had never walked barefoot on those surfaces before, but now she was just somehow more aware of it all.

"Yeah, I think I could get used to this real fast." She noticed a garbage can just ahead. She ran up to it, and dropped her flip flops in.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Angie was stunned.

"Yeah, I'm sure. More sure than I've ever been in my life," Michelle stated. "This is great!"

Michelle started turning cartwheels out of sheer joy. When she had finished, she said, "Hey, some of the girls were going out dancing. Let's go meet them!"

"No, you go ahead. I'm just going to go back to the dorm," Angie replied.

"Okay, well, I'll catch you later, then," Michelle raced off, relishing the ground under her feet and the air between her toes.

Angie walked a little further, then stopped. She turned around and headed back to the Beta Gamma house.

She rang the doorbell, and Tracy answered.

"Can we talk? In private?" Angie asked.

"Sure," Tracy said. "Hey, guys, I'm going to take five," she called to the other sisters who were helping to clean up after the party.

Tracy showed Angie to the sorority house's office. Angie took a seat, while Tracy sat behind the desk, propping her feet up. Angie's gaze was drawn to the other girl's perpetually bare feet.

The thin layer of dirt on the sole, contrasted with the whiteness of the arch. The perfectly formed toes that seemed to unconsciously flex, as if in response to the limitless freedom they enjoyed. The cute toe ring with a butterfly on it encircling Tracy's left second toe.

"So, what's up?" Tracy asked, snapping Angie back to her surroundings.

"Well, I guess, you see - the thing is, I really like what the Beta Gammas stand for, and I think I would like to be a member, but it's just...," Angie trailed off.

"Just that you can't bring yourself to go barefoot all the time, or even any of the time?" Tracy guessed.

Angie nodded sheepishly.

"I know it seems weird," Tracy continued. "You're probably wondering; how come they're so open and liberal about everything, but so strict about bare feet?"

Angie listened.

"All that stuff I said earlier about going barefoot being good for you, inside and out, is true, but there's more. Going barefoot is also a symbol of just how we're different from any other sorority out there, and everyone's unity makes that symbol even stronger. If any Beta Gamma wears shoes, even flip flops, it weakens our symbolism in the eyes of others, and dilutes our message.

"I mean, sure, we could all wear matching headbands, or pins or something like that to show our unity, but those are just objects, not a part of us. Going barefoot shows that you have a real commitment to your principles. It makes people take notice. They may think you're a little crazy, sometimes, but they will respect you for it. I've seen it over and over," Tracy concluded.

Angie mulled this over, letting the words sink in, though she still seemed torn.

"You know, it just occurred to me," Tracy said. "I think that deep down you really do want to go barefoot. That's why you came back to talk. Is there something that's holding you back? Something in your own head?"

Angie hesitated and Tracy could tell she was onto something. She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows slightly to signify her expectation.

Finally, Angie replied. "It's my parents, Growing up, you'd think that none of us had feet. It's like we just had different shoes that we screwed onto the stumps of our legs every day. Does that make sense?"

Tracy nodded, and smiled.

"Oh, it makes perfect sense," Tracy confirmed. "Believe it or not, I grew up the same way. If you didn't have shoes on, you'd better have slippers. And, oh the horror if a foot without a sock was ever seen."

Angie was stunned. "So, how did you deal with it? I mean, you're like the barefoot poster girl now," Angie asked.

"My freshman year, I went home at Thanksgiving, and I just did it barefoot. Being with the Beta Gammas gave me the confidence to stand up to my mom, to show her who I was and how I was forging my own path," Tracy said.

"She freaked, of course, but I stood my ground. By the end of the weekend, I had convinced her. I even got her to take a barefoot walk with me at the park. My mother, who I didn't even realize had toes, was walking barefoot through the park. In late November, no less!"

"She's really okay with it?" wondered Angie.

"Absolutely. She's not as hardcore as me, but she's definitely an avid barefooter now. We spread it to my sisters, too. My middle sister is a sophomore Beta Gamma at Apple Valley right now, and my youngest sister is a high school senior, but she's already planning to pledge Beta Gamma next year. She tries to go barefoot in school now, but of course, there are teacher and principal issues. She's gotten pretty sneaky, though," Tracy laughed.

"That's awesome. I don't know if my parents would go for it, though," Angie doubted.

"Trust me, if my mom could change, yours can, too," Tracy reassured her. Angie thought about it.

Tracy gave her a minute. She could tell Angie was on the cusp of breaking through her reservations. Tracy had a sudden inspiration.

"Angie, have you ever had a good foot rub, you know, from a boyfriend, or anyone?" Tracy asked.

Angie shook her head no.

"I'm not surprised. If you don't mind, I'd like to show you how wonderful the sensations in your feet can be, right here, where it's safe."

Angie seemed a little unsure. "Okay," she said, finally.

Tracy rolled her desk chair so that she was facing Angie, close enough to touch. She reached down and pulled Angie's loafer enclosed right foot into her lap. Angie trembled a bit.

"Don't be nervous," Tracy said gently. "I won't even take your sock off."

Tracy slipped the loafer off and dropped it on the floor. Angie stared at her own socked foot with dread, but there was another sense, anticipation, that was building, and overpowering the dread.

Tracy touched Angie's foot, and it was like she had been struck by lightning, but she didn't jump.

Tracy gently caressed her sole, kneading it with her fingers. It was like heaven.

How had she not realized her feet could provide such a wonderful sensation?

Then, Tracy stopped. "I can keep going, but I need to take your sock off to do it right," she said.

"Go ahead," Angie didn't hesitate.

Tracy hooked her finger into Angie's sock, and slowly slid it off her foot. Tracy was a bit surprised to see a fairly healthy, well-formed foot, with straight toes and nice arches.

Angie wiggled her toes in the cool air.

"You've got some nice tootsies. I guess this is one time nature beat nurture," Tracy laughed.

Angie blushed slightly. Tracy then began to rub Angie's bare foot.

If the massage through the sock had been great, the gentle touch on Angie's naked sole was beyond wonderful. Tracy lovingly worked over the ball, the heel, the arch, the crevice under the toes.

If there were any spot on Angie's foot that could feel good, Tracy found it. Tracy's grand finale was to corkscrew every toe, finishing with the little one. Angie was almost in a trance-like state.

"Mmm, that feeeels soooo gooood," she managed to mumble.

"So, should I stop, or do you want me to do the other one?" Tracy asked, already knowing the answer.

Without a word, Angie kicked off her left shoe, and reached down to quickly yank off her sock. Then she put her left foot in Tracy's lap.

"I guess that answers that question," Tracy laughed.

She repeated her performance, using her hands like a concert pianist. Once she had finished with the final toe corkscrew, Angie was in ecstasy. Tracy let her bask in it. Finally, Angie seemed to come back to earth.

"I'm going outside," she said, matter-of-factly. Angie stood up, savoring the soft carpet under her soles, the threads oozing between her toes. Then she headed out the door, leaving her shoes and socks discarded on the floor. Tracy quietly followed her out.

Tracy stepped onto the porch to see Angie soaking up the sensations of the lawn. Angie felt like she could feel each blade of grass gently brushing against her sensitized and energized feet.

Then she remembered the wooded area behind the house. She ran to it, not caring that it was the middle of the night.

She plunged into the tree line, feeling every distinct part of the underbrush, the roots, twigs, leaves, the bare earth. She could feel the energy welling up through her bared soles, as if the living planet itself was welcoming her back to its embrace.

She felt alive, primal. Why had she let herself be closed off for her entire life? She spent a long time soaking it all in.

When Angie came out of the woods, she found Tracy waiting for her. She opened her arms and embraced her warmly. "Thank you. It's just - it's amazing. I can't describe it," Angie told her.

"You don't have to," Tracy replied. "I know what you're talking about." She playfully rubbed her foot across Angie's. The two laughed, and hugged again.

"I'm going to get going, but I'll be back tomorrow to fill out the membership application," Angie said.

"Great. I'll have it ready for you," Tracy told her. Angie started walking away. "Hey, what about your shoes and socks?" Tracy called.

"Oh, you can throw them in the trash, where they belong," Angie shot back. She intended never to wear shoes, or especially socks, again. Wouldn't Michelle be surprised!

The End, and a New Beginning.