The Cinderella's Who Stayed Home by Heidi Martella

The Cinderellas Who Stayed Home

by Heidi Martella

We are the Cinderellas who stayed home.

We set aside our tasks.

We stepped in as substitute mothers.

We helped choose dresses.

We saw colors of black, crimson, and azure blue.

We ironed out stubborn wrinkles

We persuaded immovable dress zippers.

We said, "Suck in your gut."

We helped to apply makeup.

We covered blemishes.

We reddened lips.

We darkened eyes.

We brightened cheeks.

We gave hair advice.

We twisted hair,

We sprayed it,

We curled it.

We pinned it,

We sprayed it again.

We secured bits of baby's breath.

We gave consolation for near hair disasters.

We answered cell phones.

We gave directions.

We told dates to wait.

We distinguished between a corsage and a boutonniere.

We said, "Look at the bow. Guys don't wear bows."

We explained to the dates why we weren't going.

We lied, "We don't like banquets."

We watched as the dates donned coats.

We found purses.

We pulled out umbrellas.

We shed a tear as they left.

We started cleaning up the mess.

We picked up bobby pins.

We put away clothes.

We threw away the corsage wrappers.

We packed up duffel bags.

We smelled the remnants of hair spray and perfume.

We're the women who helped Princesses look beautiful.

We wished we had Valentine's dates.

But then, we're the Cinderellas who stayed home.