It had been a week since the ball and Sara’s clothes, cooking pans, shoes, pillows and makeup were all in moving boxes at the bottom of the twisting diamond staircase.
I look up into the mirror and twist my hair in a braid and tie it with a light pink ribbon. I stand up and walk towards the door. My flourish pink dress slips under my heels and rips in one big motion. Mother walks in and gasps at the horrible sight.
” Oh my goodness! Amelia, what happened?!” Mother runs over and helps me stand up from where i had tripped and fallen to the ground.
” I told you this dress was too big!” I say dusting myself off.
” Well, yes, i suppose it is a little too big. I just wanted you to look amazing at Sara’s parting.” Mother smiles and then rushes to the closet. “Well you obviously can’t wear that now, so what should we do…” Mother like hastily through the closet talking quietly to herself. Suddenly an idea comes to me and i run to my bed and pull out a white box with a green ribbon. I slowly open it and i single tear slips down my cheek.
” Here honey, you can wear this!” mother spins around with a black and blue striped dress. She notices what i’m looking at and she gently walks over kneeling beside me.
I pull out a gold dress with silver wounding itself in and out of the gold pattern. I lean into mother big, fat tears rolling down my face and dripping on to the dress. ” Can i wear this to the parting?” I ask through sobs.
” Oh honey, of course you can.” Mother holds my close, pressing my head into her shoulder. ” Your grandma would be so proud of you.” mother says through her own tears. She points into the box. ” Look.” I look down into the box and see a tiny black box with my name written on to the front in grandma’s handwriting. I pick it up and slowly open the lid and peek inside. A gold necklace with a swan is wrapped around a little note. I open the note and read.
Dear Amalia
I Want you to know how proud i am of you. I wanted to give you this dress that i sewed in Sweden when i was only your age. When i wore this dress i felt fearless, unstoppable and brave. I want you to feel all of those things as well. And for the necklace i want you to have it with you all the time so that you can remember that you are a swan. You are beautiful and elegant but you can be fierce too. Don’t forget that you have wings. Love you always, Grandma.
We stand up and mother kisses me on the top of the head leaving the room so i can change. I carefully slip the dress on and look in the mirror. It fits perfectly. The gold wraps around my body like a warm cup of coca on a snowy day. I let my golden brown hair fall to my shoulders. I grab the necklace and clasp it onto my neck, the swan sitting on my collarbone , it’s wings out like it’s flying. Now, it’s my time to fly.
Photos & Fantasy 