It was just another baby-sitting gig. The kids were asleep and my time was my own until Marie and Brad arrived home. Knowing that I'd be sitting around bored and glued to the tellie I'd brought my sewing with me. I was trying to sew a decent gown for the prom. So far it was turning out quite well, not that I'd worry if it became a fiasco. My mother had promised to buy me a proper gown if I stuffed this up. She just wanted me to make a proper attempt at designing and creating my own gown and, as I said, so far -- so good.

After an...