“Yes,” her mother said, firmer now. Tears were running down her face. “The man whose memory you just mocked is the reason you were able to walk into this gym tonight.”
Chloe stared at her mother.
People started lowering their phones.
Someone near me whispered, “Oh my God.”
Wren had stopped wiping at the dress. Her hand rested over the badge, stained red and trembling.
“I never imagined I’d need to tell you how you survived just so you could show some respect,” Susan continued. “You’ve embarrassed yourself and our family tonight.”
I watched the impact of those words hit Chloe in real time.
She looked at Wren, at the dress, the stain, and the badge pinned over her heart.
“You’ve embarrassed yourself and our family tonight.”
“I didn’t know,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
Wren took a deep breath. “You shouldn’t need someone to save your life before you decide they deserve respect.”
Chloe hung her head.
“My dad mattered before you knew what he did for you,” Wren continued. She looked around at everyone watching her. “And I made this dress because I wanted him with me tonight.”
