If you had told me last year, that a box of my grandma’s old belongings would change my life forever. I wouldn’t believe you. I would tell you that nothing extraordinary happens here in my hometown of West Linn, Oregon. Now everything has changed and this is my story of how it all happened.
Last year (2015) in mid-May my best friend Holden James Finch asked me to our junior prom. Neither of us had dates, nor were we ever the type for the perfect prom experience. I had just broken up with my boyfriend Connor about 5 weeks before and Holden broke up with his girlfriend Jenna around the same time. The only reason we wanted to go was because the theme was the 1950's. We both love anything 1950s.
“Hey Allie!” Holden said as he ran up to me in the hallway of our big high school.
“Hey HJ!” I said with a smile.
“You know prom is in a few weeks and since neither one of us has a date want to go as just friends?” Holden said as we walked up the stairs to English class.
“Prom is just four weeks away. I was just going to be boring that night and do homework. I’d love to, since everyone thinks we’re together anyway.” I said.
Holden chuckled and said “Right we’re not. Since it's Friday, do you want to go prom shopping after school?”
“Yes! Let’s go completely vintage and go to a real vintage shop.” I said as we entered class.
“Sounds fun! I will drive,” Holden said.
Class went by slowly that day. The only interesting thing that happened was this ditsy girl that likes Holden goes “Hey Holden you have the same name as the guy in the book we are reading in class.”
Holden and I looked at each other and laughed a little.
“Yes Kayla, I know I was named after Holden from Catcher and the Rye. Holden said.
Our teacher looked over at our group “Are you really?”
“Yes Mr. Jones, it’s one of my mom’s favorite books. So she named me after him.”
“Wow, I always thought it was just a family name. Atticus your brother is named after To Kill a Mockingbird right?” Mr. Jones said
“Yes” Holden said uncomfortably
“Alright let’s get back to class everyone. Are we ready to go over the questions?” Mr. Jones said after a moment of awkward silence
After that the day went by pretty fast. Holden had given me a ride to school as he usually does, so I just called my mom about prom and to say that we would be stopping by to get my purse. She was thrilled since she hoped that Holden and I would end up together.
Once we arrived we walked in to find both our moms sitting at the table drinking tea. Our moms have been friends since high school.
“You guys want a snack or something before you go?” My mom said.
“No we’re okay. I want to get there before all the traffic starts” I said
I ran upstairs and set my grandpa's old leather backpack down on my floor, taking out my wallet and putting it in my purse. I ran back to the kitchen to find Holden eating.
“Really?” I said.
“What I’m hungry!” He said with a mouth full.
I chuckled and took the snack from his hand and put it in my mouth. Holden thought nothing of it. I’m always doing that.
“Let’s go, cause Forever Vintage closes at six.” I said heading for the door.
“Right we should” He looked at his phone “It’s already 3:45.” My mom then handed my two $50 dollar bills and said “Please don't spend too much. You’re dad won't be too happy if you spend more than $100.”
I smiled and took the money “I won’t mom”
Holden’s mom then gave him the same and said something similar I couldn’t really hear I was already heading towards the door.
“Bye Moms!” I said as I left and Holden followed after only before grabbing the rest of his snack from his plate.
We got back into Holden’s old beat up blue 60’s Mustang that he proudly fixed himself.
“You know where we’re going?” I asked
“Yes just looked it up on my phone” He said
Holden pressed go and we headed off to Forever Vintage. Holden and I live in one of the most beautiful cities. We both have lived here most of our lives. Let me take this moment to tell you a little about us. Holden and I have been best friends since well, forever. Holden is about 6’ft tall and blond and blue eyed just like his mother. Me on the other hand, I’m short , curvy and have curly deep brown hair.
Now back to the story. We left off with prom shopping. We came across Forever Vintage wandering around downtown one day. During the drive to the store we found ourselves talking about our exes. We can talk about anything and everything.
Once we found a parking spot, which was rare, we entered Forever Vintage. Forever Vintage was a small hole in the wall shop with a big picture window. Manichens displayed the newest vintage fashion in the windows as you entered. It’s like stepping into a time capsule when you enter.
“Welcome to Forever Vintage” the middle age man at the counter said
“Thank you” we both said at the same time as we started to look around
“Are we looking for anything in particular today?” the man asked
“Yes our prom theme is 1950s and we wanted to find something to fit that” I said
“Well you have come to the right place. As you start to look around let me if you have any questions” He said
We both smiled and continued to look around. I had found a few dresses that could work. It was hard to find something just right. I’m a little curvy so it’s hard to find real vintage clothes for me. Holden tried on a few suits. Nothing was fitting us in quite the right way. I was feeling a little discouraged after about 20 minutes of looking. Then I noticed a pair of pink lace shoes. They were a soft rose pink and in a 1950s pump style. I picked them up. They looked to be about my size, and they were on sale.
“I’ve had those shoes for years. They’ve never sold. They must have been costume made. They have never fit anyone” The man said noticing me looking at the shoes
Something in me made me feel like I had to try them on. I did and they perfectly fit my small but wide feet. I looked at the shoes in the mirror. It was crazy how well they fit me.
“There’s a dress that matches those shoes. It just came in. I haven't even priced it yet.” He said
“I would love to see it.” I said
The man smiled and went to the back of the store to find it. Holden came out of the dressing room in a grey 50s style suit with a pink lace accented vest. The lace matched the shoes.
“You clean up nice” I said fake flirtatiously
Holden smiled and said “Thanks, the shoes are cool, they look kinda like the detail on the vest”
“I was just thinking that” I said
The man came back with the dress and said “I think this dress and your suit was meant to be a set.”
I looked at the dress. It was a soft rose pink color, had a structured bust with sheer sleeves and a full skirt, the whole dress was covered with the same flower pink lace as the shoes.
“It’s beautiful, I would love to try it on.” I said
The man gave me the dress and I went to go try it on. It fit me perfectly as if it was made for me. It was the perfect fit everywhere. I came out of the dressing room and took a little spin. The dress flowed perfectly as I moved.
“So do you like it?” I said to Holden
He smiled and said “It’s very hot, and is very you. It matches the suit perfectly, it's scary.”
“I know” was all I could say
“We’ll take both outfits” Holden said before going back to go change in his regular clothes
“Wonderful” was all the man said
I changed and soon after we bought our outfits. We then left the store. I felt a little uneasy living with outfits that fit so perfectly. Neither of us would need alterations on our outfits.
“Did you find it odd that our outfits fit us perfectly without alterations? Like everything needs ro be shortened on me” I said as we got back to the car
“I did, my suit actually fit me and your dress fit you. It’s almost spooky.” Holden said as we started to drive away.
We shared a confused look at one another. The ride home we were silent, occasionally singing to the music on the radio. After about a 38 minute drive we made it home right before the traffic. Holden’s mom was still there. She has been at the house a lot since Holden’s parents split up.
“Did you both find anything?” my mom asked
I smiled and showed her the box my dress was in. She and Holden’s mom loved that the outfits matched so well. They didn’t even seem to notice how perfectly they fit.
Soon after my dad came home and noticed my prom dress “How much was all this?”
I smiled and my mom said “Michael, I told Allie to only spend $100.”
He just looked at her unconvinced.
I showed him the receipt “Dad, I was actually $10 dollars under budget”
“Okay” he said shaking his head
A few days after we found our outfits I showed my outfit to my grandma. She was absolutely thrilled when I showed her my dress. She then went over to her record collection.
“Take a look at this record.” she held it out
I looked at it confused. I had seen all of her records many times but never this one. It was in its original cover and had a couple on it, they looked a little like Holden and I. They were dressed in our prom outfits.
“She has my dress and your necklace” I said puzzled
My grandma always wore a small gold butterfly necklace that had a pink diamond in the center. It was rare to ever see her without it.
“I know, do you know who that is?” She asked
“No should I?” I said confused
“You’ll know someday. Someday it will all make sense. Look at the names on the record.” She said pointing to the names on the record
“Holden and Alessa Finch” I read aloud
I let out a startled confused gasp. She just smiled at me dearly and took the record and began to play it. Somewhere over the rainbow started to play. The voice wasn’t Judy Garland, it sounded a little me.
I stood there in my grandma’s 1970s living room completely confused. I was speechless for what felt like an eternity as the song continued to play in the background.
Finally I said “Is this me”
“You’ll know in time honey” was all my grandma said
“Can I have this to show Holden?” I asked
“Sure, honey it’s yours” she said as she gave the record to me
Later that same day I was at my family’s club Dancino ( I work there after school and weekends) I told Holden about the record. This past year we have been trying to revamp the club. We are trying to restore it to its former glory in the 1950s. Let’s just say orange carpet and pink walls from the 70s don’t work anymore.
“The remodel will be done by December of next year,” I heard my dad say from his office
“Yes we just need to think of what the reopening entertainment will be.” I heard my Uncle Ryan reply
As usual Holden and I were listening. I burst into the office with the record. Holden knew to just go with my crazy ideas and followed me into the office.
“DAD! Holden and I can perform this!” I said waving the record excitedly
He took it out of my excited hand “Where did you get this?” he looked at it remembering it. “I haven’t seen this in years”
“Grandma Elise gave it to me. My prom dress matches the one in the picture” I said pointing to the dress on the cover
My dad nodded in acknowledgement. He then went over to the record player he kept in his office and started to play it. The same somewhere over the rainbow started to play.
“I haven’t heard this since I was a kid” Uncle Ryan said
They both just listened for a moment as they slowly remembered it.
“This perfect, what a wonderful idea Allie! It’s perfect to bring the family aspect back into the club.” My dad said
I agree with you Micheal, but Allie you really need to stop listening to our conversations.” Uncle Ryan said
“Sorry” Holden and I said at the same time
Uncle Ryan smiled “It’s alright”
Over the course of the next few weeks the club continued to be remodeled. Holden and I started to practice the songs on the record. My grandma’s health started to fail. Her last wishes were to see the club back to its former glory. Three weeks before she died she was able to see the club mostly complete. She even got to see Holden and I perform.
One of the last times I ever spoke to her she told me part of the story of the record.
“You know Allie, that record I gave you was made right here in this studio.” Grandma said right after seeing HJ and I perform
“It was?” I said puzzled
“Oh yes. Your father’s office used to be a little recording studio. There was even an apartment above, you’ll learn about that soon honey. Right now it's just old storage.” she said
“I never knew that.” I said as I noticed my grandma taking off her butterfly necklace.
“Oh in due time you will know so much more my dear.” she said and gave me the necklace
“Grandma you’re giving this to me?” I said with uncertainty
“You need it more than I do, honey” was all she said
A few days later she passed away in her sleep.