“Daniel, darling,” I said softly.
“Stop.”
He turned to me, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Mom, she threw out your clothes without asking. This isn’t okay. None of this is okay!”
“I know,” I said, placing a hand on his arm.
“But I think Clarissa has already realized her mistake. Right, Clarissa? And she donated the clothes to the needy.
She didn’t just throw them out! That has to count for something.”
Clarissa sniffled, wiping her tear-streaked face.
“I… I do realize my mistake. I wish I’d never touched your things, Evelyn.
It was wrong. And I’d take it back if I could!”
Her voice wavered as she spoke.
“If someone donated all my clothes without telling me, I’d be devastated. I’m sorry, Evelyn.
So, so sorry.”
Daniel crossed his arms.
“Fine, let’s have ourselves a deal,” he said. “Clarissa, since you claim that Mom’s wardrobe was unstylish, and you were so eager to fix it, you’ll be responsible for replacing it. Think of it as fair compensation.”
Clarissa’s eyes widened, but she nodded.
“Okay.
Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll buy her everything!”
Over the next week, Clarissa threw herself into creating my “new look.” At first, she pushed me toward trendy outfits that I really didn’t like, but when I gravitated toward classic and comfortable styles, she listened.
“Trust me,” she said softly.
“I’m going to… help you. I want you to feel lovely and comfortable in your own skin.”
By the end, I had a new set of beautiful clothes that made me feel confident and happy.
Something surprising happened during this time.
As Clarissa helped me shop, I saw a different side of her, one that was creative, determined, and even a little vulnerable. She admitted she’d never worked before because she didn’t know where to start, and feared failure.
But don’t we all?
“You’re doing a wonderful job as my stylist, darling,” I told her one day over tea and cake.
“Have you ever thought about making a career out of it?”
Her eyes lit up.
“You think I could? Really?”
“I know you could,” I said with a smile.
Now I have a brand-new look, Daniel has a more thoughtful and modest wife, and Clarissa has a budding career as a stylist. I recommended her as a stylist to my friends, and she’s already booked several clients, including her first bride!
Clarissa and I still have our differences, but something has shifted.
I see more humility in her now and even a growing respect. She takes pride in what she does and in herself.
Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons, doesn’t it?
Clarissa may have started as an entitled young woman with too many opinions, but now she’s learning the value of respect and hard work.
And as for me?
I’m happier than ever, with a wardrobe that fits the woman I’ve become.
Everyone’s happy, Daniel included.
One Saturday afternoon, Daniel visited me after my makeover was complete. He rang the doorbell to my apartment, and I opened the door wearing one of my new outfits.
It was a simple but elegant teal blouse with tailored trousers, just as Clarissa had planned for me.
“Mom!
Wow!” he gasped. “You look amazing! I mean, you’ve always looked amazing, but, my goodness!
You look so confident.”
I smiled, touched by his sincerity.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about all this at first. But… I feel good.
Clarissa might’ve had a heavy hand in pushing me toward this, but I think I needed the nudge. I’d been wearing the same clothes since your father passed away.”
Daniel pulled back and looked at me, his face serious.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. For all of it.
She had no right to touch your things. I mean, if I had been paying more attention, none of this would have happened.”
“It all happened for a reason, son,” I said. “And look, it worked out for the best.
Clarissa has a career now!”
“I know, I know. Now, come on, let’s go out to eat. You look too good to stay home.”
“As long as you’re buying,” I laughed.
Source: amomama
