Size five shoes are increasingly elusive prey. I'm told more shoe manufacturers are starting their lines at size 6 and have dropped size 5 completely. For people like me, it's a dark night of the sole.

It's challenging to keep my jealousy in check at the other huntresses who easily choose among a slew of size 7 sandals. Or those who can take their pick of dress pumps in size 8. Me? I'm reduced to scanning boxes, any boxes, for the magical number - 5, 5, 5 - ooh! Here's one! But it's a patent leather dominatrix number with a five-inch heel. Keep looking - 5, 5, 5 - ooh, something in a boot! An Eskimo mukluk in cheap black vinyl is not my style. What exactly is the profile of a size 5 shoe wearer? According to what I find, it's either sky-high stilettos or ballerina slippers.

*****

Why does the shoe industry believe any feet smaller than size 6 are not deserving of shoes? Employees of three different stores all gave me basically the same answers. "Size five isn't that common and shoe companies lose money, so they focus on more popular sizes, starting with six. Some are even beginning their lines at size 6-1/2 now." "Women's feet are getting larger. Size 8 is the average. Manufacturers have moved away from size 5 and are making more in sizes 11 and 12." Ouch. Just throw me barefoot into the La Brea tar pits.

The sympathetic clerk suggests I shop in the children's section. I'm 54 years old and my arched eyebrow tells her I've already tried that. But for good measure, I add, "I don't like shoes with little butterflies on the side. I don't want to wear sneakers that light up."