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SUZANNE CAREY
DTLAL Associate Member
Sr. Columnist

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PHOTO: SUZANNE CAREY

SUZANNE CAREY


A Special Story

Written by Suzanne Carey and her Mother 

who recently passed away.


It had to be you…

Taking one last critical look at herself in the mirror, Emma was satisfied with what she saw. Tonight was a very big night, her Senior Prom, and the boy of her dreams would be there, and she had to look better than all the rest if she was going to win his heart.

Emma’s family didn’t have much money, but they were hard working people, her Mother was a seamstress for the local Taylor Shop and her father was a mechanic at the corner gas station. Emma learned how to sew early on and she was actually very good at it. The dress she made for herself for her prom looked as though she bought it In Macy’s formal dress department. Her mother was given the material by a very wealthy lady who was very happy with her work, and she in turn gave it to Emma.

The color was a rich, royal blue that shimmered when it moved, and Emma couldn’t believe her eyes or her luck when her mother presented it to her. Immediately going to work, Emma designed and created the most beautiful prom dress her School  class of 1954 would ever see. Made with a Sweet heart neckline, the material lovingly hugged her slender figure, down to the waist, at which point three layers of the satiny material and a slightly lighter shade of tule encircled her hips and legs, stopping at her shapely calves. Slightly off her shoulders, she placed the same color tule that almost made it look as though she was wearing a stole. On her feet she wore her best black flats, on account of her unusual height. Around her neck, Emma wore her best pearl necklace with the matching pearl earrings. Because her hair was so thick and long, she decided to leave the wavy, chestnut colored locks hanging down her back. Her only adornment were two Pearl hair clips, one on each side.

Grabbing her evening shawl, Emma heading downstairs to the living room just as her date was  knocking on the door. With a twinge of guilt she stood aside as her father went to the door to let him in. Her dates name was Todd, and he was a very nice young man. Tall and gangly, with light brown hair, he sported a dark grey suit that hung loosely on his narrow frame. Emma gave him her brightest smile as he told her how lovely she looked and she graciously accepted the lovely  corsage he slipped on her wrist. She did her best to hide the fact that she really didn’t want to go to the prom with him, but it was the only way she could see the one boy that never left her mind… Samuel.

Saying good night to her parents Emma and Todd headed out into the warm summer night. The school was in walking distance, so they took their time, strolling arm and arm and talking about nothing in particular. As they entered the gymnasium, the prom was in full swing, but all heads turned as Emma entered the room. She had no idea the picture she made, and she didn’t care, for at that moment, as the band played “And the Angels Sing” by Benny Goodman, the object of her desire turned to watch as she entered the room, and their eyes locked and held. The Angels must have been singing, because suddenly she felt as though she were in Heaven. The room faded from view and all she could see was Samuel. Wavy sun kissed blonde hair, bright blue eyes, standing over six feet tall, and looking so handsome in his dark black suit, he cut a fine figure, and Emma felt as though her feet were not touching the ground as she floated over to stand before her love. Not being able to tear his gaze from her, Sam just stood there, not able to move.

Someone in the crowd cleared their throat rather loudly and broke the spell. Samuels date, Sandy, a fiery little red head, elbowed him hard in the ribs and gave Emma a look that could kill. Grabbing his arm she gave him a hard tug and pulled him to the opposite side of the room. As Emma watched him go, Todd came up from behind and asked her if she’d like to dance. Needing a distraction, she nodded her head and headed onto the dance floor.

Stepping into Todds arms Emma did her best to focus on him, but she couldn’t help but discreetly look around for Samuel. Finally spotting him in the center of the dance floor, she slowly guided her dance partner until they were side by side with Samuel and Sandy.  As their eyes touched once again, that same other worldly feeling came over the both of them, and before they knew how or what was happening, they were in each others arms, floating across the dance floor.

Emma and Samuel danced and talked for the rest of the evening, never leaving each other’s sides. This was love, the kind that lasting forever, and it was theirs and they knew it. As the evening came to a close, it was time to find the two people they came to the prom with. Feeling a little guilty, apologies where made and accepted. Sandy and Todd knew it was meant to be for Emma and Samuel.. There was no fighting it. Standing on the sidewalk, Emma and Samuel said their goodnight with long hugs and gentle kisses. It wasn’t goodbye, because they knew is was just the beginning of the perfect love, and as they walked away, the strands of the song “It had to be you” drifted through the night.

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PHOTO CREDIT: SUZANNE CAREY

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