But when I looked all the way up to see if Mom was looking, she was staring right at me. I had no chance to quickly slide away on my chair or even look away. Mom's eyes were directly on mine. So I looked at her. She didn't smile, but she didn't look angry either. She just looked at me. And I just remained completely motionless. I couldn't move and I didn't want to look away.

And then, without taking her eyes off me, Mom grabbed the dress and took it off over her shoulders with one fluid motion. I couldn't believe it. My heart was racing so fast. Mom...