Mom had some old pictures," she said shyly, fluffing her Helen-style hair as she spoke. "And I found this in a second-hand clothing store," she indicated the dress with a wave of her hand. "Do you like it?" she asked, tentatively.
"Oh God ... Ellie," I stammered and suddenly there were tears in my eyes and I was wiping them with my sleeve. She looked almost exactly like Helen did on the day we went to the lake.
"I'm sorry, Paw-paw," Ellie said, wrapping her arms around me. "I just thought..."
"No ... no ... it's wonderful!" I cried. "It's just that ... you know ... I never expected..." I held her at arms length. "You look beautiful." I breathed. "Just like her." Ellie smiled coyly and stepped back a little.
"So, where can a girl get her cherry popped around here?" she asked, mimicking
