I have a bad toe. It's my left foot, big toe. The bone that's immediately after the arch on a foot, the big one that juts out a bit, where the toe is attached. I complain about it frequently, and as of late it's gotten worse.

When I was in High School, I played for the senior girls volleyball team: the Outlaws. I wasn't that great of a player, (we weren't that great of a team) even though by grade twelve I liked to think I was okay. My confidence was at its peak; I knew this game. The ball came over the net in that sneaky spot, that spot where front-row either had to reel backward or back-row jump forward, where middle and power are equal distance away. We always managed to miss those ones. This was mine. I was committed. I pushed off of my ready-stance, jolting all my weight toward the ball, arms thrust forward, eyes focused.

Then I was on the ground. My entire body had been moving one way and suddenly went opposite. "Ouch, your foot" my nerves told my brain. The girl who was in the power position had come to rescue the ball with the same force I did. Tears surfaced, my Mom ran down into the court, and everyone stared wide-eyed. Cory's shin collided with my foot -- I don't know how. We both went to the hospital. X-rays were done. I was told I have irregular bone structure in my toes, both of them, and to avoid wearing those pointy-toed heels because it would only make it worse. I reassured them I had no interest in pointy shoes.

I couldn't walk on my foot for a day or two and my foot swelled up and purples. Cory's shin was the most colourful I'd ever seen, also swollen. The healing process was slow. Of course it was; my body is a slow healer for earrings, sprains, and cuts, so why not this.

So I'm going to be a teacher. I wear dress pants and sweaters, blouses and necklaces. I wear pointy flats.

Now in any shoes my toe hurts. It rubs against the side, sensitive and red and raw and pointy. Daniel accidentally kicked it with his heel, and I don't think it helped. I have a toe problem.

Don't underestimate the power of a toe bone.