“Mom Said It Was Okay”

Hannah stared at Chloe.

“Why are you wearing it?”

Chloe stepped down carefully.

“Mom said Dad said we could look at it.”

Hannah turned toward Rebecca.

“Dad said that?”

Rebecca crossed her arms.

“He said we could see whether it might work.”

“Where is he?”

“Work.”

Hannah laughed once.

“So you waited until he wasn’t here?”

Rebecca frowned.

“That’s not what happened.”

Hannah looked toward the seamstress.

Pins were already in the waist.

Fabric had been folded near the hem.

Her expression changed.

“You were ALTERING it?”

The seamstress immediately stood.

“I haven’t cut anything.”

Hannah looked relieved for half a second.

Then Rebecca said:

“We were only seeing what would need to be done.”

Hannah walked toward Chloe.

“Take it off.”

Rebecca stepped between them.

“Stop ordering people around.”

Hannah stared at her.

“That’s my mother’s dress.”

Rebecca answered:

“It has been sitting in a box for eleven years.”