Friday, February 05, 2010

The rest of the story . . .

It's only fair that I now share about my role in the infamous piano recital costume disaster. I was playing songs from The Entertainer, so my mom had sewn me a flapper costume. It was a red and black boxy dress with sequins and fringe (which my grandma had found for some outrageous price). I had helped mom pick out the pattern, but when I saw the dress, I refused to wear it. I thought it was too flashy (which, hello, was kind of the point). Despite my parents' reminders of how much time and money had been spent on the dress, I remained adamant. I ended up wearing some pink dress my mom had in her closet. It didn't look 20s-ish at all.

This was 12 years ago, and I have only just now been able to think about this story without gut-wrenching guilt. I feel so bad for treating my mom like that! I didn't consider her feelings at all. It didn't help that the dress was hanging in my closet for years after the fact, mocking me. Now, we all kind of laugh about it, but it was not funny at the time.

The funniest part of the story is that the main reason I was embarrassed to wear the dress was that I had a crush on one of my fellow piano students (who is now married to my friend Whitney's friend, Jenna—small world). But do you know what he wore? A full lion costume! I don't know that I've ever told my parents that that was the real reason, but they probably guessed.

Sadly, this was not my worst bratty moment. No, that prize would have to go to the time I pitched a fit because I didn't like the color of the new car my dad had bought for me (and eventually my sister) to drive. My poor parents.

4 comments:

Clint and Whitney said...

Haha! What's really funny too is that Darby and Jenna " went out" in junior high. I guess you guys have similar taste in men. Also, y'all both married your high school sweethearts. It is a small world. I love reading these stories about your childhood! Keep them coming!

Katina said...

Kayla,
Hannah, Grandma and I went out to dinner on Friday night, and almost the first thing I asked her was to tell me the "rest of the story". She told me that some little girl at church wore it recently. I can't believe Sallie kept it all these years! In the famous words of my cousin, Jo, "Let it go, Kayla...let it go"!!! I think you can stop feeling guilty now!! Love you!! Katina

Brenton and Jenna Lane said...

HAHAHAHHAHA!!! I am laughing soooo hard! I'm going to have to ask Brenton about the lion costume. THAT IS funny that you had a crush on my man and I had a crush on your man!!! Gotta love childhood sweethearts. I agree with Whitney... keep em coming!

MJH said...

Kayla - The only time I ever remember you misbehaving as a kid was in the hotel in Mcalester and Aunt Mary and Uncle Emmitt's 50th wedding anniversary. You refused to wear a dress becaause the sash was itchy. You had a thigk about clothes you didn't like, I guess. Mark and I were newlyweds at the time and we couldn't believe how much time you parents took talking to you about it! Of course, 4 years later we learned how much you have to negotiate with some kids - with Jackson!