She covered her mouth as fresh tears fell.
Tony picked up the garment bag.
He stared at it for a moment before looking at her.
“If I wear this, I’ll wear it for you.”
Viki shook her head.
“You’ll wear it for yourself.”
“But every time I look at it, I’ll remember how brave you are.”
She laughed softly through her tears.
“I’d rather you remember to have fun.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget this.”
“Good,” she replied. “Because I expect pictures.”
That made us laugh, even while we cried.
Over the next hour, Viki told us about her doctors, her treatment plan, and the appointments she had attended alone.
She admitted she was terrified.
So were we.
But the fear felt smaller once it was shared.
Before she left, Evan stopped her at the door.
“We’re coming with you next week.”
“You don’t have to.”
“We’re coming.”
I nodded.
“Every appointment you want us at.”
Tony gave her a weak smile.
“And if you need someone to bring terrible hospital coffee, I’m your guy.”
Viki laughed.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Prom arrived a few weeks later.
Tony stood in front of the mirror wearing the midnight blue suit he had dreamed about for months.
It fit perfectly.
Viki had already begun treatment, and she looked tired, but when she saw him, her face brightened.
For one brief second, she reached up as though she were going to tuck her hair behind her ear.
Then, she remembered.
Tony noticed.
Without saying a word, he crossed the room and hugged her.
“You look handsome,” she whispered.
“Because of you.”
“No,” she replied. “Because you worked for this.”
He stepped back.
“I’ll be home before midnight.”
“You’d better not be,” she said. “You waited too long for this night.”
He laughed, then kissed her cheek.
When Tony walked out the front door, his shoulders were held high.
He did not look like the boy who had stared silently from our porch, wondering whether he belonged.
He looked proud.
That midnight-blue suit had become more than something he wore to prom.
