I sewed a dress out of my father’s shirts for the prom in his honor – My classmates laughed until the principal took the microphone and the room fell silent.

Announcements
That was all. That was enough.
Once the music started again, my aunt, who had stayed near the entrance without my noticing, found me and let me in without a word.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered to me.
That evening, she led us to the cemetery. The grass was still damp from the day and the light was taking on golden hues when we arrived.
“I’m so proud of you.”

Announcements
I crouched down in front of Dad’s gravestone and placed both hands on the marble, just like I used to do when I wanted him to listen to me.
“I did it, Dad. I made sure you were with me all day.”
We stayed there until the light disappeared completely.
Dad never got to see me walk into the ballroom.
But I made sure he was dressed for the occasion, anyway.
Dad never got to see me walk into that ballroom.