A friend from Washington State whom I haven’t seen in about 8 years sent me a box a couple of weeks ago. The box included a handwritten card. Here’s a direct quote from the card: “We read your book for book club! We all agree–you should be the next big thing!”
It’s no secret that I need constant validation. That card brought enough validation to last at least a week.
My prom dress was also inside the box. You heard me right. My prom dress. Through a series of unremarkable events, I had left the dress with my friend over a decade ago. I was certain that it was gone forever. There was talk of it disappearing in a yard sale. I wondered who bought it. I invented a story for the life of my dress: a young drag queen named Lance/Luscious had purchased the dress for $10. It totally made his/her weekend, and therefore I was okay with the dress being gone forever. But it wasn’t gone forever. It found its way back to me.
I pulled the dress from the box, which was bright pink Juicy Couture (even the box had flair). The dress is black sequin with a sheer midriff. My daughter saw it and said, “I like your tutu.”
I had to try it on immediately, right there in the dining room. I asked my husband to zip me up. He grunted a few times, but he was able to zip it. It’s tighter than it was twenty years ago, but it fits! I’m still not certain the grunts were genuine. They were probably added for dramatic effect.
So, here’s my plan: I’m going to become the next big thing and wear my prom dress on TV. Preferably VH1. I’ve always wanted to be just famous enough to commentate on one of their I Love the ______ (80’s, 90’s, Hair Metal, Mismatched Socks, Celebrity Meltdowns, etc.) shows. The first thing I’ll do on TV is give a shout-out to Kim Hixon for sending my dress home. The second thing will be to unzip the dress a little so I can breathe.
Scapegoats and Sacred Cows 
Woot! Yay for the prom dress. I’m so envious that yours still fits. I had a hot pink one once, too. You should totally wear it when you’re rich and famous.
I’m hoping the sheer midriff won’t interfere with Spanx.
I think what is truly fabulous is that you were fashion forward enough to wear juicy couture to prom. Love you! You rock!
Only the box was Juicy Couture. But the dress was very fashion forward. I promise.
Viva La JUICY! You are my inspiration, I want to fit into my prom dress too…but mine is not as flashy as yours! I’m so glad that it found it’s way back to you. I can’t wait to read your next novel Penni!
Penni! DOn’t know if you remember me, but I am a friend of Kim’s and read your book…part of that book club that drinks waaaaaay too much wine! Anyway, way to go on the book girl, fascinating! Wishing you the best!!! Colleen (Heuiser) Schmidt
Of course I remember you! We had lots of beer and laughs at the Harmon, right? Thanks for reading my book, and for the encouragement.
that dress spent several years with me if i remember correctly… next visit we’ll go out for drinks in our prom dresses! although i run the risk of falling out of mine, which could add to the evenings entertainment.
Sound great, Ashlee! You’re right, it did spend several years with you. I forgot about that. The dress has led an exciting life.
this is a great story… I think you must include it in one of yours…Or…I’m stealing it and usin’ it.
xo j
If it gives you inspiration, feel free to use it!