{"id":14144,"date":"2025-09-20T17:11:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T17:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=14144"},"modified":"2025-09-20T17:13:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T17:13:14","slug":"14144","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=14144","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

Linda didn\u2019t flinch.\u00a0\u201cWe needed it. We bought a dress for Hailey. And you\u2019re being emotional. You don\u2019t need a silly dress. Anyway, you\u2019re not going to prom because your dad is out of town that weekend, so nobody would be here for pictures with you anyway.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I clenched my jaw.<\/p>\n

Linda tilted her head.\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re a smart girl. You understand sacrifice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I glanced past her at Hailey, still spinning in the hallway, rhinestones scattering light. From Linda\u2019s purse poked a receipt: $489.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou used my money to buy Hailey\u2019s dress?\u201d<\/p>\n

Linda\u2019s smile stiffened.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s family money. We share things here. You\u2019ll thank me in 10 years when you\u2019re not drowning in loans.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Dad rubbed his temples, the weight of it all pressing on him.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ll make it right,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d I asked. \u201cProm is in nine days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll\u2026 talk,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he said. Dad-code for nothing happening.<\/p>\n

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I cried into my pillow that night. Not because of fabric, but because of the sparkle I thought I\u2019d lost.<\/p>\n

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Linda didn\u2019t flinch.\u00a0\u201cWe needed it. We bought a dress for Hailey. And you\u2019re being emotional. You don\u2019t need a silly dress. Anyway, you\u2019re not going to prom because your dad is out of town that weekend, so nobody would be here for pictures with you anyway.\u201d I clenched my jaw. Linda tilted her head.\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re a…<\/p>\n

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