Page 83 of Glad You Exist

“Your mom was really disappointed you didn’t go last year. Even when you were asked.”

I feel my fist tighten into a ball just thinking about any other guy with her. I can tell mom’s baiting me, but I know better than to take it.

I try not to roll my eyes. I just want her to get to the point.

“Where is this going Mom?”

With a snide smile, Mom opens the box to reveal a dress. She pulls it out, enough so we can see it, the skirt draped over the table. Then she describes it to Liz in detail.

I don’t know much about fashion, so I tune out most of it.

The dress is an off the shoulder pale pink ball gown with a tulle skirt covered in handstitched flowers running the front.

Liz gasps beside me as she runs her fingers through the fluffy fabric of the skirt and over the embroidered flowers. Her mouth forms an O-shape as she openly gushes at the dress.

“I’ve seen this dress before…” Liz’s brows draw together as she tries to figure it out.

“It was…” Mom’s answering smile is nostalgic and sad.

Recognition dawns on Liz.

“My mom’s.” Liz finishes as she lifts the dress to look at it for a beat before putting it back in the box. She looks at mom in question.

“Your mom?” I lean my back on the wall next to the glass door leading into the kitchen.

“It was her prom dress. Why do you have this Auntie?”

“She gave it to me to pass it on to you. Do you remember when I asked you to come run some errands with me a while ago and I took you to get your measurements done?”

“For your vow renewal that you never…wait—this is what it was for?”

“Yes honey, I had alterations done to it. Shortened it since your mom was taller and adjusted the top since”—Mom smirks, giving me a side-eye glance—“you’re a little more well-endowed than your mom.”

Do not look at it. Do not look at her chest.I look down at my feet and cross them to avoid anyone seeing that my face is beet red.

I hear Liz laugh and I look up just in time to see her lift the dress again.

“I can’t believe she gave this to you, like she knew she wouldn’t be around to…”

“It was more like she was hoping I could convince you to go. There’s a reason her prom dress looks like a debutante’s gown. YourLolahad it made in the Philippines for your mother’s eighteenth birthday. So maybe instead of adebutyou can go to prom. In this.”

Liz’s gaze roams the dress before she places it back in the box and gingerly closes the top.

“I guess I’m going to prom?” She glances at me hesitantly before turning to my mom and giving her a hug. “Thanks Auntie. I love it.”

“Don’t thank me, honey. It was important to your mom that you experience every part of your senior year since you missed so much. I intend to make sure you do. You can try on the dress at home and if it needs to be further altered, we can get it fixed.”

Mom gives Liz a quick hug before patting me on the cheek

“I’m headed upstairs to finish some work. Don’t stay up too late, okay? It’s a school night.”

I wait until Mom’s out of the dining room before pulling Liz between my legs.

“So, you’re going to prom?” I grin down at her, placing my hands on her hips.

Liz laughs incredulously, “I guess I am.”

“Need a date?”

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