But she was surprised when her granddaughter insisted she didn\u2019t want to go. Clara claimed the event wasn\u2019t important, but Mildred knew the truth.<\/p>\n
Her daughter, Agnes, worked a low-paying job, and Mildred lived on her pension alone.<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t have enough money to buy Clara a nice dress for prom. The 18-year-old felt embarrassed about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want to go? You know, I went to prom with your grandpa.<\/p>\n
He asked me out of nowhere, and we got married a few months later.<\/p>\n
We loved each other until the day he passed, and I still miss him every day. Prom can change your life,\u201d Mildred said, her voice cheerful as she tried to convince her.<\/p>\n
I know, Grandma. But still, I don\u2019t want to go. Also, I don\u2019t have a date, so it doesn\u2019t matter. Listen, I have to go study, I still have a few finals left.<\/p>\n
Talk to you later!\u201d Clara said and hung up the phone too quickly for Mildred\u2019s comfort.<\/p>\n
So, Mildred decided something. She was saving a bit of her pension every month for her funeral costs so Agnes wouldn\u2019t have to worry about anything expensive.<\/p>\n
But something felt more important now.<\/p>\n
She wanted to buy a dress for her granddaughter. Clara deserved it. She was a bright kid who worked hard at school.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t her fault they were poor most of the time, and Mildred would convince her to go to prom in a lovely dress.<\/p>\n
The next day, she went to the mall and found a beautiful shop full of amazing dresses.<\/p>\n
She walked in, and her eyes widened at the sparkle. \u201cWhat would Clara like?\u201d she asked herself, touching one dress closest to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello! My name is Beatrice. How may I help you\u2026 um\u2026 today?\u201d a saleslady approached Mildred, but her words stumbled for some reason.<\/p>\n
The woman looked Mildred up and down, and her mouth twisted oddly.<\/p>\n
Hi there! I\u2019m looking for a dress for my granddaughter. Her prom is coming up,\u201d Mildred explained, smiling at the woman despite her strange behavior.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. This is not a rental shop. You have to buy these dresses in full,\u201d Beatrice said, linking her hands together.<\/p>\n
But Mildred didn\u2019t understand what she meant. \u201cI know that. Can you show me some of the most popular dresses?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, the popular ones are pretty costly.<\/p>\n
In fact, this whole store might not be in your budget. Perhaps you could go to Target for it?\u201d Beatrice suggested, and Mildred finally understood the woman\u2019s attitude.<\/p>\n