By:

Jamie Smith

Once upon a time lived an orphaned girl named Maria. She lived with her Aunt Laverne and two cousins; Pruella and Luna, in a small house on Garretson Avenue in Bayonne, New Jersey. Her job was to do the chores around the house. She cleaned the house all day, cooked dinner, and went on errands to the A&P and Rag Shop. Maria was now in her senior year at Bayonne High School and was only pleasing her aunt by waiting on the family for one reason. Maria hoped that her aunt would allow her to go to the prom which was held at the end of the school year.

As she walked out of the fabric store, Maria saw Johnny Davis or as her cousins called him, “McDreamy”. Not only was Johnny Davis handsome, but he was also the most wealthy boy in town. Johnny’s family lived in a beautiful home on 3^rd Street. It looked like a castle with Prince Johnny living there. All of the girls in town were crazy about Johnny. Of course Maria thought he was cute, but she knew that he didn’t even notice her, so she kept on walking.

Once Maria got home she did the laundry for her cousins and then cooked dinner. After that, Laverne took Pruella and Luna shopping, while Maria stayed home to clean. Laverne felt that Maria would be jealous, but Maria loved staying home alone. Although at times she wished to go on a shopping spree, Maria enjoyed the silence throughout the house when she was alone. In fact, Maria’s favorite part about staying home alone was that she could pray in this silence. Maria’s father was very religious, and now Maria followed in his footsteps. Maria didn’t just say an ordinary prayer. She “wished” three times, every night for the same thing. She would pray, “I wish, I wish, I wish, that I will one day be happy and not have to wait hand and foot on my own “family”” This prayer, on this night, would be very different from all of the rest. This particular prayer provided her with a message like no other. While praying, the windows in her room had swung open and with that came the vision of an angel. This angel told Maria that she needn’t worry because this wish would come true very soon.

The doors slamming downstairs, Maria started to hear screams. Maria ran downstairs. “Ahhh! I am soo excited!” shouted Pruella.

“I know me too! I mean seriously can you picture how fabulous I am going to look at Prom in this dress? , yelled Luna as she swirled around, holding the purple dress up.

“Well, obviously. But….. I’ll look better. No doubt about that! Haha”, responded Pruella. At this point, Maria knew exactly what was going to happen next. She thought, the girls will fight about whose going to be “hotter” at prom and then I’ll get blamed for the entire fight.

In a matter of seconds Laverne yelled, “Maria, stop teasing my girls. You will both look beautiful. Maria is just jealous because she can’t go to prom!”

“Hehe, haha” laughed both girls.

The next day at school began the three day countdown to Bayonne High School’s prom. Maria, as usual, spent her lunch period in the art room. For the past three months, Maria would sew together her “so simple, yet perfect” prom dress. Maria learned to sew from the old servant that lived with her aunt. She now was practically a pro from sewing clothes for her cousins and aunt. Today, Maria was putting the final touches on her dress. Beautiful black satin was now sewn around the waistline of the dress, allowing enough extra to tie a bow in the back. Maria smiled to herself as she visited her happy place, oblivious to the world around her. All of a sudden, Luna waltzed into the art room. At first, not noticing Maria, or the dress she went right past her. Then, stopping and slowly turning around with mouth open she said, “Uhm... What is that hideous fabric?”

“Ohh nothing!” responded Maria, quickly shoving the dress into the bag.

“Tell me, and tell me now! Or, I’ll just call my mother and she’ll punish you!” yelled Luna.

“It really is nothing. I swear. I have to go to my next class. Goodbye”, responded Maria.

“Oh no you don’t,” said Luna, as she grabbed a nearby pair of scissors and then cut the fabric all the way through the dress. Maria, now in shock, grabbed all the remnants of the dress and ran out of the art room crying.

That night, Maria decided to go for a walk. Leaving the house, she walked downtown. While walking by Gorman Field, she noticed the gate was open and went onto the field. Walking past the dirt infield, she walked to the outfield. Maria lied down and just began to think. Five minutes later, she felt the presence of someone or thing around her. As Maria was about to get up and leave a voice began to talk. .“Hello” said Johnny.

“Oh hey.. I’m sorry I was just about to go” Maria said hesitantly.

“Oh no. It’s okay. I’m Johnny. What’s your name?” replied Johnny.

“I know who you are. I’m Maria.” responded Maria.

“I know this may seem strange, but do you want to go for a walk?” asked Johnny.

“Uhm….. Sure, but where to?” replied Maria.

“Well, that’s a good question. Ha-ha... Uhm I am kinda hungry. Want to go to Burger King?” asked Johnny.

“Why not!” responded Maria.

When the two arrived at the Burger King on 7^th Street, Maria was happy to see that nobody recognizable was eating there. She and Johnny sat and talked for a good five minutes before Maria suddenly heard a voice that she knew she didn’t like. Slightly turning to see who it was she noticed it was Pruella. Quickly, Maria got nervous and told Johnny that she had to leave. When Johnny didn’t understand, Maria told him it was late and she needed to get home. Maria wrote down her locker number on a receipt, told him to meet her there before school, and ran out the side door just in time so that Pruella hadn’t seen her. Unfortunately, when Johnny quickly turned to see where Maria ran, he hit his soda and it spilt on the receipt, causing the number to be smeared.

Later that evening while Maria was home alone was again, she took all of the fabric from the torn prom dress out of her bag. Slowly piecing it back together she was happy that the damage wasn’t too bad. Needle and thread in hand, Maria started to sew. Two hours later, she had fixed the dress and put it in a box under her bed. At the same time, her door swung open she saw her Aunt Laverne and Luna standing there. Laverne said “Soo… I hear that someone thinks they are going to prom? Hahaha. Nice try child, but you have to clean the fireplace that night.”

“You are not fair. I have been so good to you; waiting on you hand and foot. Can’t you just let me go?” pleaded Maria.

“Good? You have been a burden to this family your entire life! You will, under no circumstances, go to the prom!” yelled Laverne as she slammed the door. At first, all Maria wanted to do was cry, but she knew that she would go to the prom no matter what. So, she closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.

Two days had passed and it was the day of prom. Maria had not spoken to her “family” in days. Luna and Pruella were already preparing for prom, when Laverne once again reminded Maria she had work to be done that night. Maria rolled her eyes and went upstairs. Locking her door, Maria began to get dressed. When she heard silence in the house, she knew that it was time to leave. Slowly walking down the steps, Maria was very cautious of her actions. Looking into the mirror Maria had realized that she looked beautiful, but she was missing one thing. With this, Maria walked into Laverne’s room, opened her jewelry box, and looked at the diamond necklaces. After finding one that she had liked, she placed it on her neck, and shut the box. Out from underneath the box flew an envelope. Maria decided to be nosy and opened the envelope. This envelope was filled with court papers. These papers stated that when Maria turned eighteen, she would control her late father’s assets. Maria could not believe her eyes and so she quickly took the envelope, ran upstairs, and put it under her bed in the box. Finally, Maria went off to the prom.

Arriving at the Hi Hat for her prom, Maria decided to “stay low”, so that her cousins would not notice her. Suddenly hands covered her eyes and Maria tensed up. Then, the mystery person took their hands off of Maria’s eyes and sat down next to her. To her surprise, it was Johnny. Johnny Davis had come and sat next to Maria above all the girls at prom. Maria felt so happy. Talking for hours, Maria told Johnny her whole life story. Johnny seemed to be in shock. The two danced and then it was time to leave. Johnny walked Maria home that night. Maria was noticeably thrilled. She thought to herself, ‘This is the best night of my life. Knowing that I will be free next month from my aunt and spending the night with Johnny, my “prince charming”. What could be better?’, then she said goodnight and went inside. Thankfully, nobody was home yet. Maria quickly put the jewelry back and went to her room.

A month later, Maria was eighteen. Taking the papers out from under her bed, Maria decided to wait and see if her Aunt Laverne would tell her about these papers. Later that night, Maria confessed to her aunt that she had found the papers and that she would be in control of her life. Laverne seemed mortified because she knew that Maria could be in control of everything. Laverne knew that Maria’s father had left her the house and money in a “secret will”. Laverne pleaded with Maria to keep quiet and give her back the papers, but Maria knew better than that. First, Maria called up a lawyer to tell him about the papers. The lawyer told Maria to come to his office immediately. After reading over the papers, the lawyer told Maria about everything she owned. Then she kicked her aunt and cousins out of the house. Now, Maria was going to enjoy life. With a new found freedom, a new boyfriend, and a new lifestyle, she knew things would begin to be different. Maria put the money that her father had left her into her own bank account. She wasn’t the wealthiest girl in town, but as some would say she was “better off”. Maria lived at her home by herself over the next three months. After that, Maria sold the house and purchased a small apartment by her new school, Monmouth University. Maria decided to have one roommate; the only person that she knew she could trust, her boy friend Johnny. Maria never spoke nor saw her aunt or cousins ever again. Four years late, when Maria and Johnny finished school, they got married and lived happy ever after.