As I gazed at myself in that dark room, I did not perceive that the sequins were garish or that the dress was a bit snug around the hips. Blinded, perhaps, by my own wishful thinking, I only knew that the silver glitter set off the highlights in my hair and the plunging neckline created the illusion that I had the figure of a twenty-year-old.

    I decided that this dress had the power to cast a spell so magical that even my husband Gifford, who had lately grown hazy and remote, could not escape its enchantment.