Being an event coordinator for the Adjutant General's Ball (AG Ball) was a huge responsibility for myself considering that I was such junior in rank. The event takes months of planning and coordinating and is to be an evening of elegance and enjoyment. The AG Ball is the biggest event of the year for the Adjutant General's Corps. It is a night where soldiers will wear their finest uniforms. Women will wear gowns and will have their hair done professionally. It is a night to look your best.
The day of the ball was a beautiful spring day in the month of June. I went to the ballroom that morning to take care of any final touches that needed to be made. After fixing center pieces, double-checking seating arrangements, and rehearsing speeches, everything was perfect. All I needed was for the guests to arrive and for them to enjoy themselves. I felt great about what I had put together and felt as if nothing could go wrong that day. .
One o"clock that afternoon, I was at the hair salon getting my hair styled. Two and a half hours later another success! I not only felt good about the day but I also looked great. On the way home I kept thinking how lucky I was to have everything going in my favor. I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. I finally got through traffic and pulled into my driveway. Excited to get my gown on, I ran into the house.
Living in a ravishing house in a remotely quiet neighborhood, it always seemed as if it were safe to leave my front door open while I was home. The neighborhood kids were always out playing, but they never caused any problems. After running in the house, I threw my keys on the stand next to the door, hurried up the stairs, and turned my stereo on. I turned it up real loud so I could sing with the music while applying my make-up and putting my gown on. Only being home and upstairs for fifteen minutes, I heard what sounded to be the screen door opening.