the spark we lost

17

Not long after your photograph was in the Times, It Takes a Galaxy was nominated for a Daytime Emmy, and I was invited to the ceremony with a date.

I dragged you to Bloomingdales with me with and I tried on gowns. Though I guess dragged isn't really the right word, because you enjoyed it. Do you remember? You sat on a couch near the dressing rooms, an audience of one for a private fashion show. I came out in a strapless lace sheath first, with a slit up the front of my right leg.

"Sexy," you said. "Really hot."

"Not quite what i'm going for , at least not for work."

Then I came out in a pink ball gown.

"Sweet," you told me. "Like Cinderella."

That wasn't right either.

I put on a navy blue dress, all angles and corners.

"Severe," you said. "Beautiful and sharp."

I could see the other women at the store noticing us. The older ones smiled indulgently. Some of the younger ones looked jealous. When I saw their stares , I tried to tone down my smile, tamp down the feeling inside me that said, All is right in the world. That day happiness felt like our destiny, yours and mine together.

I tried on a few more dresses until I got a red silk dress, halter, with a low back, tight on top and then looser on the bottom, so it swayed when I moved. Do you remember what you said? I do. I can see you saying it right now, your eyes smoldering as they traveled the length of my body.

"That," you said," is stunning. You are stunning."

You stood up from the couch and took my hand, twirling me in the middle of the Bloomingdales formal wear section. Then you dipped me, and kisses me." This one," you whispered as you righted us." and buy it as quickly as possible. Is there a bathroom we can sneak around here? Or should we just take a cab home?"

I laughed and whispered back," Cab," as you helped me undo the zipper.