When I was a teen my older sister Molly and me, Dale, were always arguing about something. Anything I did was wrong and she ran to tell mom or dad the first chance she got about it. Molly was always spying on me and no matter what I said or did; I was the one in the wrong. I didn't hate my sister, but I sure didn't like her either.
In my senior year at school I was eighteen. I was helping a friend with his old Chevy. I had the hood opened and was bent over the fender when a radiator hose burst. My face and top of both hands were scalded. I was taken to the hospital where I was admitted to the burn unit. I stayed until my skin had peeled off, leaving a very red and very scarred face. They had ointments and bandages covering everything but my eyes and a small opening for my mouth and another for my nose. I was to get the bandages off just a month before graduation from high school.
My girl friend dropped me when she saw my scarred and swollen face. I was felt like I had lost everything. The doctors said in time I would heal and have a few visible scars, but nothing hideous. That didn't mean crap to me then. I was going to miss all the graduation parties and even prom night. Molly was pissed at my girlfriend for dumping me and had a plan to cheer me up.
"Dale, you're going to the prom! I will be your date that night."
I couldn't believe my ears. Molly doing something nice for me? I know going to a prom with your sister is dorky and only a loser would even consider it, but it was the nicest thing ever said to me. There I was, cracked lips, a red swollen nose, a face from a horror movie, and my sister was still willing to be my date.
Tears were dripping down my face as I asked Molly if she really meant it.
Molly said, "Yes, I want to be your date. I will dress up and be as pretty as I can be, and you will look fine too. I'll use some make up tips I know and you won't believe your eyes."
The day of the prom Molly sat me in a chair. She had all kinds of bottles and brushes on a table next to her. She worked on me for three hours, finally bringing out a mirror and letting me look at her work. I was amazed. All the redness was gone. She had blended in some coloring and my nose looked almost normal. Even my lips looked normal or even better, as they looked kind of in a pucker. "Molly, you did magic on my face!"
I went upstairs to put on my tux while Molly was dressing. I stood in front of the mirror not believing my eyes. Molly had me looking handsome, maybe even sexy. I wanted my ex to see me now.
Molly was waiting for me in the living room. She was a vision. I would have whistled at her if I could. "Molly, you're beautiful. I mean really beautiful."