A student answered, “No. That’s her stepmom.”
Sarah’s mouth fell open. “She copied it.”
Shirley walked in wearing my dress.
Shirley glided toward me, Dad trailing behind her.
“Oh, Delilah,” she said loudly. “Look at us. We match.”
I forced myself to speak. “You copied Mom’s dress.”
She leaned close. “You don’t own grief, sweetheart.”
Special Occasions
“How could you do this?”
“You thought you’d be special tonight. I’m here to show you you’re ordinary.”
“You don’t own grief, sweetheart.”
I turned to Dad. “Tell her.”
He looked at Shirley, then at the floor. “Not here, Delilah.”
“She stole Mom’s last gift.”
“Please keep your voice down,” Dad hissed.
Parenting
I turned toward the exit.
Gary caught my elbow. “Don’t disappear.”
“She stole Mom’s last gift.”
I froze.
Mom’s voice came back.
I looked at Shirley, then at the stage.
“Everyone is staring,” I whispered.
Dresses
Gary nodded. “Good. Let them see the truth.”
“I can’t fight her in front of everyone.”
“Not alone.”
Gary looked toward Mrs. Chen, our senior adviser.
“Trust me for two minutes,” he said.
“Everyone is staring.”
He went to Mrs. Chen first. She looked at Shirley, then at me, and her face changed.
Women’s Clothing
Only later did I learn Gary had called her after our visit to Mrs. Howard. Mrs. Chen knew her through school theater and knew Mom had spent years saving school plays.
Mrs. Howard was already helping with the tribute table.
So when Shirley walked in wearing that copy, the truth was already in the building.
Gary came back to me. “Stay right here.”
She looked at Shirley, then at me.
Then he walked to Shirley calmly.
“Shirley,” he said, “you look incredible tonight.”
Family
