The night that just didn’t go right.
It was prom night my junior year of high school. I was really excited to go because not that many juniors were going to be there. I thought the night was going to be ok, because she was passed out when I got back from the hair place. Usually when she’s out, she’d be out for a good chunk of time– just enough time for me to get ready and get out the door. I was just about ready to go when I heard the doorbell ring. I ran downstairs to get the door and everyone was on my porch waiting for me. I had them come in and I went to take one final peek in the mirror. Everything looked good, so I turned around, grabbed my purse and was ready to make a clean getaway for the night.
Just as I rounded the corner to tell everyone I was ready, I heard the floor creaking above me. My heart stopped. I wanted to rush everyone out, but not look too panicked. I remember saying “Ok let’s go,” and just as Tommy opened the door, she appeared at the top of the stairs and yelled “Hey wait, I want a picture.” Everyone looked up.
Her hair was a mess and her makeup was smeared on her face. She had a glass of wine in her right hand, and a camera in her left. I just wanted to get out of there. I tried to usher everyone out, but they seemed a little confused and not sure what to do. No one moved.
I tried to do what I normally do, take charge of the situation and get her back to her room. But I wasn’t quick enough. Just as she got to mid-stair, it happened, Talk about embarrassing! She stumbled down the stairs in front of all my friends…It would have been funny if it was someone else’s mom. I just stood there unsure of what to do. I could feel the tears welling behind my eyes. They started to stream down my face when I looked down and saw a bright red wine stain on the front of my dress. The girls started whispering and the guys were trying to help her up. She just kept laughing and going on about what a klutz she is and how they all look so handsome.
After we finally got my mom on her feet, I got her back upstairs and into bed. One of my friends gave me the shawl she was wearing and we tied it around my waist to cover the stain. It was a quick fix and actually looked pretty good. I eventually made it to the dance, but it just wasn’t the same. No one brought up what had happened, but it was something that stayed on my mind the whole night.
Female, 18, Garfield Heights, Ohio