The attorney said calmly, “After tonight’s statements and previous concerns, these children will not remain here alone while the court reviews the guardianship and trust funds.”
Three weeks later Ethan and I moved in with our aunt.
Two months after that, control of the money was taken away from Melissa. She fought it in court.
She lost.
The dress now hangs in my closet.
An art teacher sent pictures of it to a local design program, and Ethan was invited to attend a summer course. He pretended not to care for an entire day before I caught him smiling at the acceptance email.
Sometimes I still touch the seams of that dress.
Melissa wanted everyone to laugh when they saw it.
Instead, it was the night people finally saw us.
