My wrists behind my back.
I hadn't worn the gown since that night.
It remained in its garment bag at the back of my closet.
Sometimes I opened the closet and saw the orange fabric.
Then closed the door.
I told myself the dress was just clothing.
That it didn't matter.
But I knew the truth.
The gown reminded me of the most frightening moment of my adult life.
And I didn't want to give that memory more space than it already occupied.
One evening, Zora found me standing beside the open closet.
She looked toward the garment bag.
“Mom?”
I turned.
“Yeah?”
She pointed.
“Is that the orange dress?”
I nodded.
She became quiet.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she asked, “Why haven't you worn it again?”
I looked down.
“I haven't felt like it.”
Zora studied my face.
Then nodded.
She didn't push.
Instead, she sat on the edge of the bed.
For a while, we talked about her school.
College applications.
A new friend.
And the fact that she was seriously considering studying computer engineering.
Then she looked toward the closet again.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“You know I loved that dress before anything happened.”
I smiled sadly.
“I know.”
She continued.
“Grandma loved it too.”
I nodded.
Then Zora looked at me.
“I don't want that officer to be the reason you never wear something beautiful again.”
The words hit me harder than I expected.
I sat beside her.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then whispered.
“Neither do I.”
She smiled.
“Then wear it.”
I looked toward the closet.
For several seconds, I hesitated.
Then stood.
Opened the garment bag.
And lifted the orange gown from its hanger.
The fabric shimmered in the bedroom light.
The bodice was beautiful.
The draping elegant.
The color as rich and magnificent as I remembered.
There was no visible damage left from the roadside encounter.
The dress had been professionally cleaned and repaired.
But for a moment, I could still feel the pressure of the hood beneath my hands.
Zora stood beside me.
She touched the fabric gently.
Then looked toward my face.
“Mom?”
I took a slow breath.
“I'm okay.”
She raised one eyebrow.
I laughed.
“Fine. I'm nervous.”
She smiled.
“That's allowed.”
For a moment, we looked at each other.
Then I nodded.