There Was a Small Technical Issue
Of course, the kid would show up with the wrong shoes. You caught them off guard by asking for help while they were likely at home, barefoot and preoccupied with nothing. They grabbed the first pair of shoes they could find, and well, it did the job, sort of.
Depending on the shoes and the driveway’s condition, it might be more comfortable to go outside barefoot. I’ve done it before, and it works out just fine. Avoid it if you have a gravel-covered driveway or sharp-edged sidewalks; that could be quite painful. Life without shoes has its charms.