Not just the same color.
A copy almost PERFECT.
The same fabric in light blue.
The same model neckline.
The same silhouette.
The same details.
At this moment, everything became suddenly clear.
Sessions for ” cleaning “.
The hours she had spent alone in my room.
All the excuses that she invented to get away from the house.
She had necessarily have photographed the dress mom and paid someone to reproduce every detail.
And it had done so for one reason only.
Wear it to my prom.
Shirley walked right up to me, a satisfied smile on his lips.
She leaned close enough that I could clearly hear it.
You really thought to be the only one to be special tonight, isn’t it ?
I fixai without answering.
My father stood nearby.
I looked at him, waiting for him to take my defense.
Instead, he lowered his eyes.
— I’m sorry, my darling, ” he murmured.
It was everything.
Around us, students and parents we were watching.
Some chuchotaient between them.
A few of them laughed nervously, not understanding what was really going on.
Me, I was only thinking of mom.
His hands that had made this dress so that she knew that she was going to die.
The hours she had spent sewing something that she would live long enough to see me wear.
And now, Shirley had made a public humiliation.
I could not stay.
With tears in her eyes, I walked to the exit.
It was then that Gary grabbed me gently by the arm.
— Don’t move, ” he murmured.
I looked at him, taken aback.
— I’m taking care of everything.
Before I could ask him what he would do, Gary walked straight towards Shirley.
But instead of confronting him, he addressed to him a smile.
— Excuse me, ” he said politely. You are absolutely beautiful tonight.
Shirley stood up immediately, flattered.
Gary continued :
— We run a small recognition for the parent with the most elegantly dressed of the evening. Would you be willing to go on stage for a few moments ?
His face lit up.
She had no idea of what Gary was preparing for real.
She thought she was finally getting exactly what she wanted.
Attention.
Admiration.
A whole room turned to her.
Without hesitation, Shirley followed Gary to the stage.
She climbed the stairs and went forward under the projector as if she was going to receive a prize.
This was his biggest mistake.
Because by the time she reached the center of the stage…
Gary turned to me.
He gave me a small nod.
Then he did a single thing that plunged nearly 200 people in the gym in total silence.
The face of Shirley changed instantly.
And a few seconds later, she screamed :
— YOU HAVE COMPLETELY LOST YOUR HEAD ?!
