The Last Dress

“Mom, can you please hurry, everybody’s waiting on us. ” Macy screamed.
“I’m coming, I’m coming, just trying to find where your father put the camera!” I screamed.
I had the camera in my hand but instead was grabbing the gift I wanted to give Macy before she left for her senior prom. I could not believe this night was here. It seems like just yesterday I was dropping Macy off for her first day of Kindergarten.
I remember it like it was yesterday. My mother spent the majority of the summer before her first day making her a “first day of school,” dress. Macy picked out pink and blue paisley fabric for the dress but was not allowed to see it until it was completely finished. The anticipation killed her all summer and she would sneak around and try to get a peak of the dress. The finished product was incredible and fit Macy so perfectly; the colors of the dress made her electric blue eyes glow. Her curly red head bounced up and down as she walked herself to her class room. Macy insisted on walking herself to her classroom and did not want me to walk her because she said it makes her feel more grown up. It was so hard to just let her go since she had been glued to my hip for the past five years.
“Mom, what the heck are you doing? If we miss the limo, you’re going to have to buy us our own.” Macy screamed again. Wow, I didn’t realize that I had been standing there for a few minutes lost in the memories that I cherished so much. Since Macy started her senior year, I found myself reminiscing a lot more than normal. Sometimes when Macy was out with her friends, I would just sit in her room and think about all the fashion shows she made me sit through, and tea parties we had with all her stuffed animals. Where in the world has the time gone and why is my little girl growing up so fast?
As I walked around the corner, and saw her for the first time since she was ready, I was speechless. Her beauty captivated all my attention and brought a tear to my eye. Her soft long, honey almond colored hair was done in loose curls that were curled away from her face. Her makeup was done flawlessly and made her look a lot older than eighteen. She had dramatically smokey eyes and long luscious eyelashes that made her blue eyes radiate. Her lips were shimmering with a champagne pink lip-gloss and her cheeks were coated with a sheer, golden bronze dust. Her dress was white which contrasted so well against her olive brown skin. The dress was without a question made for her, it was an elegant full length satin gown that had a mermaid shape and corset bodice: fitting tightly around her waist which accentuated her curvy hips and flowed out around her knees. The neckline was an off the shoulder sweetheart shape which brought attention to her colorbones and nicely toned shoulders. It was streamed with a thin layer of Swarovski crystals that wrapped around to the back of her dress which formed a V and exposed a little of her back. The middle of the dress had a gathering towards her right side and was detailed with a large sparkling silver brooch that resembled a daisy. She had a thin silver necklace that lay delicately on her neck and long teardrop shaped diamond earrings that dangled right above her shoulders. She had the hardest time finding a bracelet to match and did not feel like her accessories were complete. Little did she know, I had the perfect piece that would complete her outfit. My mother had given me a diamond bracelet to wear on the day of my wedding. This bracelet was passed down from my great grandmother and was vintage style with silver diamonds that were imported from Germany. I debated for weeks on whether I should wait until her wedding day to give it to her but something inside me kept telling me that this is the right time. At the time, I did not realize that there was much more to that strong feeling that led me to the decision.

“Macy, you look absolutely stunning, you are definitely going to be the prettiest girl there!” I claimed. Ok, let me get a couple pictures of you and Caden by the staircase and another one outside the gazebo.” I said.

“Alright mom, just as long as we hurry, I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago,” Macy said.

I was so distracted my Macy that I did not even notice my husband standing to the side of her with a tear rolling down his cheek. Matt never cried so I knew this was a big moment for him and that he as well was remembering Macy as a free spirited little girl.

“Before we take the pictures, Macy I want to give you something, can we step in the other room for a second.”

As she walked behind me to the other room, I pulled myself together as I was about to share on the most memorable moments with my daughter. I could tell she was confused and had no idea what was about to happen. She was just expecting a “mom talk,” that reminded her to make good choices. When I pulled out the mahogany wooden box that had a W engraved on the front, she was appalled.

“Oh my gosh, MOM are you serious? You’re giving this to me now and not on my wedding day?” She claimed as she clasped her hands around her mouth. A little tear started rolling down her face.

“Yes, Macy, today is not as important as your wedding day but is most definitely a special day. It matches your earring and necklace perfectly and I knew you were bummed you couldn’t find a bracelet to match. I love you more than you’ll every know Macy Grace and I hope that you have the best night of your life. Please be careful and make good choices.” I said.

“Awwww, I love you too Mom and I’ve been waiting since I was five years old to call this bracelet my own. I will cherish it forever and pass it onto my daughter one day. Thanks Mom, you just made this the best day of my life.”

We joined Matt and Macy’s date, took pictures and got them on their way. As soon as they left, I was exhausted and full of emotions and wanted to relax. My husband and I started dinner and put in a movie. We tried our best to occupy our minds with other things so we did not worry. Teenagers always do stupid things on prom night. We trusted Macy to be smart, but we did not trust all the other punks she went to school with.
I had fallen asleep on the couch in my husband’s arms and woke up to the phone ringing. Matt and I were immediately made eye contact then looked at the clock. It was about 12:30 a.m., which was the time shortly after the dance was over and when Macy would be heading to her friend’s house to spend the night. My stomach was in knots and I felt dizzy at the thought of what the phone call could be. My husband raced to the phone.

“Hello,” he said with fear. “Yes this is him.” I knew immediately things weren’t good.

“Matt, what is it?”

“Tanya, Macy has been in an accident.”