Heart of Sparrow

Chapter Thirty-Seven

MY ROOM is flat out ridiculous. It's three times the size of the bedroom I had in Lora's cottage, complete with a king bed, its own luxury bath, and a Juliet balcony.

"What do you think?" Caleb asks.

I make a slow circle around the room. The white walls smell like fresh paint and carry thoughtful, delicate embellishments of varying golds, teals, and pops of purple. Peacocks are a definite theme since there is a spread of feathers above my bed. The beautiful creature is also on a throw pillow, a blanket draping over the standalone chaise, and a few knick-knacks on the corner bookshelf.

In the bathroom, a vanity spans from wall to wall with so much clean space it's ready for hair products and makeup setup. Rivers ebb and flow in small painted works around the clawfoot tub, along with a myriad of scented candles.

I turn to him. "Just how long has my room been 'under construction'?"

"Since last week. Your dad knew that one day you'd come home."

I run a finger over a portrait of a dark-skinned woman wearing a beaded veil. "Did Lora help decorate? There are a lot of Oshun touches."

"Actually, I'm pretty sure this was your mother's room."

My jaw drops and I study the room with new eyes. "This was Addie's room?"

He motions to the closet and I practically rush over to it, yanking the door wide open. Breath fizzing out, I gape at my mother's wardrobe. Each blouse and dress is carefully preserved in clear garment bags.

"I can't believe he kept her clothes after all this time."

"It's my understanding that Addie meant a lot to him."

Chewing my lip, I slowly remove the first bag. I'm surprised that it doesn't smell like mildew or dust. The first dress is a black gown with sparkle and bead appliques. I hold it up to analyze the details. Sheer lace is woven at the bodice and below the left hip, showing just enough peek-a-boo to tease the mind.

"Damn. This is hella hot." I hold the dress up to Caleb. "There's no way my mom wore this around Pop."

Shrugging indifferently, Caleb takes the dress and carefully arranges it on the bed. "Next?"

The next dress is just as racy. It's dark purple with an entire sheer top, which means my mom boldly wore her bra underneath. Or not.

After that is a pencil skirt and a turtleneck with intentional cutouts to showcase curves and skin. And then it's all designer outfits from there—the big names, too. There's Dolce and Gabbana, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Prada. Everything is overtly sexy and feminine but with an edge of sophistication.

"I wonder if your dad remembers how mature some of these outfits are...." Caleb trails off, putting another low-cut top into the no-pile.

I'm overwhelmed at Addie's fashion choices, but I can't stop oohing and ahhing. It's like a new discovery about my mom. She liked golds and in-your-face pinks and lace—so much lace.