Sounded easy.
But took forever.
Creating the pattern became almost hypnotic, as I knew my own measurements so well and had patterned so many dresses over the years. Before I knew it, I was clearing the table off and laying the fabric down, cutting out the pieces for the dress. Grabbing some interfacing, I cut that out too, the stiff under-fabric that would make the bodice perfectly shaped. With a quick glance at my notions shelf, I was relieved that I had enough boning to sew onto the bodice as well. Boning was made of thick woven nylon that, when sewn into the vertical seams of a corseted bodice, would give it the rigidity it needed.
Glancing at my phone, the clock said it was midnight.
I could go a couple more hours.
Everything all cut out, now for assembly.
It took almost the full two hours to sew all the basic pieces together, the sound of the machine almost hypnotic and relaxing as it punctured into the fabric.
A rush of relief pulsed through me as I had at least the semblance of a dress in front of me. The bodice had taken the longest, since sewing in boning and a lining always took time even when I was going fast, but the bottom half was simply a lot of long seams. I didn’t have time to make a petticoat for such a large gown, so I’d have to buy one. There was a store not far from my house that sold them.
Two a.m.
I should go to bed, but I was wide awake. Sudden inspiration hit me, and I fumbled through my notions shelf once more until I found what I was looking for: tiny, eighth of an inch in diameter crystal beads. Sparkling like diamonds, I began to sew them on the bottom half of the dress where the bigger stars were printed on the fabric. Was I adding extra work on myself? Yes. Would it be worth it to see the universe sparkle all around me as I walked down the runway? Absolutely.
Beading was difficult and time consuming, and I’d never have time to fully bead the entire skirt, but I’d at least place the crystals on the largest constellations.
As I sewed a diamond on the star my parents named after me, I glanced over at their picture by my bedside. Instead of them dancing on top of the Empire State Building, they were lying dead on the ground, blood pooling around their bodies.
Snapping out of my delusion, I continued to bead the dress, my eyes welling up with tears that fell onto the fabric.
Before I completely soaked the dress, I needed to stop.
Placing the unfinished dress on my cutting table, I sat on the edge of my bed and picked up the picture of Josh.
It was time.
I needed to return this.
Stealing a picture and displaying it at my bedside was at best weird and at worst stalkerish.
“I’ll return you. No more fantasies.” Stuffing it quickly into my backpack, I zipped it up before I could change my mind.
And though my eyes were wide open, I lay in bed hoping sleep would find me.
***
Grandma put the last of her things into Buster’s car, which basically equated to clothes and some knickknacks. She wasn’t kidding when she said she’d leave everything for me. I did my best to not appear sulky, but I was almost positive I failed miserably.
Grams was leaving.
Really leaving.
Buster came around from behind with another pile of clothes. “This is the last of it.”
“Put it on top of those boxes,” Grandma instructed, and he quickly did as he was told.
Turning to me, Grandma gave me a once-over, then hugged me tightly. “Don’t be scared. This will be an adventure.”
“I should be saying that to you.” And I should. But all my wires were crossed lately.
Walking to the passenger side of the car, Grandma said, “Well, I’m saying it to you.”
I rushed to her side once more and hugged her again.
She whispered in my ear, “You’re going to be okay.”
Pulling away, Grams gave me one last squeeze of encouragement and sat inside the car. “More than okay. You’re going to win that contest tomorrow, and your dreams of fashion school will finally happen. I just know it.”
Why did that make me more nervous than excited?
“Speaking of which . . .” I shut the car door. Her window was rolled down though, and I continued. “I should get to finishing the dress,” I said, hoping the terror wasn’t obvious in my eyes.
“Well, so far, it’s the most stunning piece you’ve ever created. You’re a shoo-in.” Grandma winked as she buckled her seatbelt.
As Buster slid into the driver’s seat, he waved to me. “We’ll see you tonight for dinner.”
Nodding, I waved good-bye.
And they were off, driving down the road and away from me.
With a loud sigh, I entered the building and went up the stairs. The runway show was tomorrow, and I needed to finish this dress.
Plopping down on my chair, I pulled layers and layers of fabric toward me until I reached the bottom of the skirt. Time to hem. Placing it under the sewing machine, I clamped down the presser foot and began to sew the endless hem. The further I’d sew, the more fabric appeared. Hours passed as the never-ending hem kept going and going, until finally the bottom of the dress was finished. Breathing a sigh of relief and satisfaction, I moved on to the detail work of the bodice and skirt.
One bead at a time, each one hand-sewn onto the surface, I felt as if I were a
