Tears well in my eyes, my throat burning as she strides over to her clothes on the floor. She dresses slowly before retrieving something from the pants pocket.
I can’t tell what it is, but as she turns and stretches her hand between us, my heart sinks, crashing to the floor and breaking into a million pieces.
It’s just cruel. Malicious. No one should be so heartless and cold.
“That’s what I got for it.Junk.”
Tired of my hesitation, she throws the twenty-dollar bill at me, and I watch as it falls to the ground, racing my broken heart to the hardwood floor.
You’d think I was a statue, if not for the stream of tears running down my face.
With the gown and mask in her hands, she leaves, slamming the door behind her on her way out. I jump from the force, my stare straight ahead but unfocused.
My tears continue to fall as anger boils up inside of me.
How can she do this to me? To my family? Has she not a shred of humanity left inside of her?
Suddenly, the door flies open, and I brace for the impact of facing her again, but thankfully, it’s Jules and Myra.
Jules rushes over to me, wrapping me in her arms and cradling my head with her hand. “She’s such a bitch.”
“I’m so sorry, Cirella.” Myra’s voice is a comforting warmth I didn’t expect to penetrate so deep in my heart.
It takes a second, but after a couple of shaky breaths, I melt into Jules’s embrace, the pain in my voice surprising me. “I h-hate her so much.”
Rubbing my back up and down, she whispers into my ear, “I know.”
My heart thumps hard between us as she physically and emotionally holds me together.
Eventually, we pull apart, and I finally notice Myra standing nervously, rocking back and forth on her heels.
Jules seems off, too, as she glances at her mom, like they know something I don’t.
“What’s—what’s going on?” I stammer, unsure if I can take another blow today and stay standing.
Myra’s arms are behind her, corners of a large box sticking out from the sides. “We have something for you.”
When she reveals the glittery blue gift box, I suck in a sharp breath. “Why? I don’t need any presents.”
Her face softens, a sparkle of pity in her eyes, the kind only a mother can have. “Precisely why you deserve one the most.”
The distance closes between us as she strides forward and hands me the gift, which I carefully set on my bed. I lift the lid, sucking in the sharpest breath.
Wow.
Fabric, constructed of tiny stars plucked out of the night sky, lies folded inside. Shades of blue weave together like liquid glass, shimmering in the light.
Atop the gown sits a matching blue mask. Lace trim and sparkly swirls decorate the metallic blue. A perfect pairing.
I couldn’t have imagined anything better myself.
“It’s beautiful, Myra.” I tear my gaze from the present and find hers upturned. “This looks far too expensive for me to accept.”
She shoos away my concerns. “Don’t be silly. It only cost me the fabric.”
No way. My voice is barely audible. “You made this?”
“You aren’t the only gifted seamstress in the house,” she boasts with humility.
