Prom season crept up faster than I expected. People talked about limos and dresses and after-parties. I avoided the subject until Sasha finally stopped me after class.
I hesitated. “I’ve got someone in mind.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Someone I know?”
“She’s important to me.”
Sasha nodded slowly. “Right. Well… good for you.”
She didn’t bring it up again.
On prom night, Grandma stood in front of the mirror holding a floral dress she hadn’t worn in years. She kept smoothing it like it might suddenly change shape.
“I can stay home,” she said gently. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“You’re not embarrassing me,” I said. “I want you there.”
The gym looked different that night—string lights, music, laughter. Awards were handed out. Sasha won one. I heard Grandma’s warm chuckle from the back of the room.
When the slow songs started, Sasha asked, “So… where’s your date?”
“She’s here.”
I walked across the floor and stopped in front of Grandma Doris.
“Would you dance with me?”
Her hand flew to her chest. “Lucas, sweetheart…”
“Just one dance.”
“He brought the janitor?”
“That’s gross.”
“Doesn’t he know prom’s for couples?”
Grandma stiffened. Her hand slipped from mine.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I’ll go home.”
Something settled inside me then—not anger, but clarity.
“No,” I said. “Please don’t.”
I crossed the floor, walked straight to the DJ booth, and asked for the microphone. The music cut. The room fell silent.
“Before anyone laughs again,” I said, my voice steady despite my heart pounding, “let me tell you who this woman is.”
I pointed to Grandma.
“She raised me when no one else would. She cleaned your classrooms so you could sit in them. She stayed quiet when she could’ve made noise. She is the strongest person I know.”
The silence was heavy.
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