“You go in there and dance. That’s an order.”
“Yes, sir,” I whispered.
Inside the gym, the lights and music felt overwhelming.
Mrs. Bennett spotted me immediately.
Her eyes widened.
“Emma… is that your father’s uniform?”
“I turned it into a dress.”
She gently touched my sleeve.
“You honored him beautifully. Never forget that.”
Whispers spread through the room.
“She made that from her dad’s uniform?”
I braced myself for laughter.
Instead, someone started clapping.
Then another.
Soon the entire gym erupted into applause.
My friend Lily grabbed my hand.
“Do you hear that? They love it. This is your night.”
At first I danced awkwardly.
Then freely.
Later that night, Sergeant Davis drove me home.
