25

“How did you pull this off?” I ask, hurrying forward to run a finger tentatively along the edge of the clutch. It’s a simple design, a drawstring bag, but it somehow still looks elegant.

“Waste not, want not. I used fabric from those flowing pieces we lopped off of the back of the dress,” she says. “From there, it was a simple matter of finding the perfect ribbon for the string, which I had in abundance in one of my sewing kits. And, well, your shoes were a little more difficult. I had to ask around. I checked your size when you slept here on Thursday night. Only one of my friends is your exact size, and we weren’t sure she would have a pair that could work, but we really got lucky.”

“You did all of this…for me,” I whisper. “Thank you.”

“Oh, you do so much for me, dear, I just wanted to do something in return. Now, it’s time to get ready. Fuss later, fuss later. You don’t want to be late to the gala!”

She helps me with my hair and make-up, but we keep it simple because neither of us h