My stepmother came to my graduation using an exact copy of the last dress my mother sewed to me before she died… but I didn’t know what would appear on the kara screen

Gary extended his hand.

Do you want to leave?

I looked at the exit.

Then I looked at the clue.

Then I lowered my eyes to Mom’s dress.

I denied.

“No.

“No?

I smiled in tears.

“My mom spent too much time making this dress for me to leave before I dance with him.

Gary smiled.

“Then let’s dance.

We walked to the track.

And while the music was beginning, for the first time I stopped looking at Shirley.

I stopped looking at my father.

I stopped looking at the people who murmured.

I looked at the dress.

I ran my fingers through one of the little seams that Mom had done by hand.

And I thought:

“Yes, Mom. I’m here.”

That night I learned something I still remember.

There are people who believe they can take the place of someone by removing their photographs.

Keeping your things.

Copying her dresses.