And the way Naomi stood before the mirror, looking proud and happy.
Her daughter didn't want the incident to steal that memory forever.
Naomi stepped forward.
Then embraced her.
"All right."
Imani grinned.
"Really?"
Naomi laughed.
"Really."
For the first time in a year, she looked at the gown and thought about the joy of wearing it rather than the pain that followed.
On the evening of the gala, Naomi stood before the same bedroom mirror where she'd admired the dress a year earlier.
The black corset fit perfectly.
The sheer gloves covered her arms.
And the metallic olive-gold skirt spread around her in enormous sculptural folds that caught the warm light from the chandelier.
Her hair was styled into the same sophisticated high bun, and the oversized round olive-green earrings rested against her neck.
She looked almost exactly as she had before the incident.
But she didn't feel exactly the same.
She was more aware of her vulnerability.
More aware of the limits of her own authority.
And more determined that the department she led should never confuse obedience with public trust.
Imani appeared in the doorway.
She wore an elegant blue evening dress and had been invited to accompany her mother to the fundraiser.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Then smiled.
"Mom."
Naomi turned.
"What?"
Imani's eyes filled.
"You look beautiful."
Naomi felt something tighten in her throat.
She looked toward the mirror.
For several seconds, she couldn't answer.
Then she reached for her daughter's hand.
"So do you."
Imani stepped beside her.
Their reflections stood together in the glass.
A mother and daughter.
Not a police chief and a witness to a public scandal.
Not a woman defined by the worst afternoon of her career.
Just two people preparing to attend an event supporting children who needed help.
Naomi smiled.
"Ready?"
Imani nodded.
"Ready."
They left the bedroom together.
The fundraiser was held in the same elegant hotel ballroom.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the tables.
Soft music filled the room.
And hospital volunteers welcomed guests near displays describing the rehabilitation programs supported by donations.
Several people recognized Naomi immediately.
Some approached to express admiration.
Others offered sympathy about the previous year's incident.
Naomi thanked them politely but didn't allow the evening to become entirely about her.
She wanted the attention directed toward the children, medical professionals, and families the foundation existed to support.
During dinner, she sat beside Imani and listened to a hospital therapist describe how rehabilitation services helped young patients return to school, play, and ordinary family life.
Naomi found the presentation deeply moving.
She'd spent the previous year thinking about how quickly an unexpected event could alter someone's sense of safety.