The word « later » hung between us, fragile and dangerous.
« You raised me, you know, » I said quietly. « Mom and Dad worked so much. It was always you. »
She rose slowly, gripping the edge of the table, and stepped back to look at me.
Her eyes filled with a kind of light I had never seen before.
« Oh, my girl. Look at you. »
The dress was a deep, soft blue, with delicate stitching along the bodice and a skirt that fell just right.
It looked nothing like the sleek designer gowns the other girls were buying at the mall.
« All my friends are wearing dresses from that boutique downtown, » I admitted. « Chloe ordered hers from some designer in the city. »
« And what do you want to wear? »
I met her eyes in the reflection.