Page 90 of Spark

“Right.” Mia nodded; her mind was unable to wrap around what she had just been told. “You said this weekend?”

“Yup,” he groaned, going back to scraping. “Cancer.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Mia turned, running down the hall. Tears were hot on her face as she exited the building, phone in hand. She dialed Aurelio before she even knew what she was doing, and his voicemail beeped.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed into the phone. “I’m fine. I really am; I just, ugh.” She groaned. “A teacher I really like died, and I’m upset. But I’m okay. Sorry.” She clicked the phone off, hanging up.

“BUG!”

She turned around to see her brothers running out of the little cafe with concern on their faces.

“What’s wrong?” Matty asked, wrapping her in a hug. Melvin and Mikey did the same as Mia sobbed quietly.

“A teacher I really like died. And I didn’t even know she was sick.”

“How could you know if they didn’t want you to?” Melvin reasoned, his hand on her head.

“I was her T.A. She left midsemester, and I knew something was wrong. But I was so distracted.” Mia was blaming herself for, well, she wasn’t sure what.

“Bug.” Mikey lifted her chin so she’d look at him. “She didn’t want pity. She wanted people to pay attention, to learn from her one more time.”

They were right, of course. Mia let them hold her for a few moments, her eyes finally drying. When Melvin asked if she was ready to walk around, she remembered she had to get her gown from the front office first.

“I’ll go get it. It’s under your name, right?” Matty asked, pulling away as Mia nodded. She let the warmth surround her, letting herself fall into him. She breathed in his warm scent, the smell of home overwhelming her. She felt her tears dry as his arms held her there, the comfort of not being alone. This is what she had been missing, the only missing piece now Aurelio. With her brothers around her, she could see the light at the end, she could picture the future clearer and clearer. All she needed was Aurelio and the puzzle would be complete.

She couldn’t have been more grateful for her brothers, and once Matty was back with a gown wrapped in plastic, they walked around the campus together. She showed them all the buildings she had classes in and the lawns where she had watched summer night concerts. They listened intently, nodding along as she spoke and soaking in her memories. When she was ready, they headed to the car and drove off.

“I don’t even have a dress yet,” she admitted quietly, thinking of the suit Aurelio would be wearing.

“What?” Matty gasped. “That’s a problem.”

Melvin nodded in agreement. “Where is the nearest dress shop?”

Mia shrugged. “I don’t know. I have never needed to buy a nice dress before.” She pulled out her phone and searched until a local boutique popped up. Melvin immediately redirected, heading towards the shop.

“You guys don’t have to do this with me,” Mia insisted right before all three brothers pushed past her into the store. She sighed and followed.

A woman in her late forties came out to greet them. “Most graduates have a dress picked out months in advance,” she said after Mia explained the situation. “You are pretty curvy; that’s a good thing.” The woman winked, sizing Mia up and making her blush.

Her brothers collectively groaned; Matty slapped a hand over his eyes.

“Unfortunately, something off the rack is really your only option now.” The lady pulled a few dresses in shades of red and blue.

Mia sighed, “Do you have anything in a dark grey?”

“Hhhmmm, maybe.” She disappeared among the racks, and just as Mia was beginning to lose hope, the woman reappeared with a dark grey dress. “I have this. It’s going to be a bit long on you, but I may have enough time to hem it.” She pulled off the dust bag.

It was a grey gown, simple but beautiful. The hem was long, but slim. Not puffy or over the top. It looked sophisticated with long sleeves. The V-neck would show off more cleavage than Mia thought she would be okay with, and the back dipped low, creating a deep v shape.

“Wow,” Melvin breathed. “For her?” He pointed at Mia; his face was uncertain. He still pictured her in the overalls and t-shirts she had worn growing up.

“That is…” Mikey chimed in, his jaw opening and closing a few times before he could finish. “…wow”

“Let’s see it on,” Matty encouraged, excitement on his face.

With help from the woman, she was able to slip into the dress in the cramped dressing room.

“No bra, dear.”

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