“Yes?”
“Her dress is amazing.
His face changed immediately.
“Thank you so much.
“We’re doing something special to recognize some parents tonight. Could you go with me on stage?
Shirley looked around.
All the attention I had come looking for was finally on her.
“Sure.
He followed him.
I didn't understand anything.
Gary took her to the center of the stage.
Shirley stood under the lights as if she were waiting to receive a prize.
Then Gary looked up at the booth.
He made a signal.
The lights went down.
The giant screen behind Shirley lit up.
And a photograph appeared.
I felt like I was stopping breathing.
It was my mom.
She was sitting in front of her sewing machine.
Much thinner by treatment.
With a handkerchief covering his head.
But he smiled.
And between his hands was the blue dress.
My dress.
The room was completely silent.
Shirley turned to the screen.
His face lost color.
Then another image appeared.
This time it wasn't mom.
It was Shirley.
Inside my room.
With the closet door open.
I was holding my dress.
And I was taking pictures with his phone.
The murmurs started immediately.
“What...?”
Shirley looked desperately at Gary.
“WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?
Gary remained calm.
Someone thought she deserved to know the truth.
My father was looking at the screen.
He seemed unable to move.
Shirley started talking quickly.
It is not what it seems!
No one answered.
“I just wanted to pay tribute.
I heard a woman say,
A tribute?
Another person murmured:
“Then why did you hide it?”
Shirley came down from the furious stage.
He came over to me.
“You did this.
I denied.
"No.
And for the first time that night I could look at her without fear.
You did this alone.
Gary came over.
But it didn't come empty-handed.
I was bringing a little box.
“There’s something else.
He handed it to me.
What is it?
My mom kept it for years.
I didn't understand.
Gary took a deep breath.
Your mom gave it to her before she died. He asked her to wait until the time has come.
I opened the box.
Inside was an envelope.
I immediately recognized the lyrics.
It was my mom's.
My hands started shaking.
I opened the letter.
I couldn't read it full aloud.
The tears didn't leave me.
But there was a part I never forgot.
