When We Found Home(17)

Callie could only nod. Speaking seemed impossible, as did making sense of any of this.

“I only had a few days to get your room ready,” Carmen said. “If you want to make changes, go ahead. I have no idea if you like my taste or not.”

The bedroom was huge, maybe twenty by twenty, with big floor-to-ceiling windows. The walls were cream except for the dark gray wall behind the bed. The head and footboards were upholstered in cream, the bedspread was the same color with a woven gold pattern in the center. The cream-and-gold color theme continued with a fuzzy cream rug. Dark wood accents—the dresser, the legs of the ottoman and the chair in the corner—added contrast. The nightstands were mirrored with glass-based lamps.

Callie had never been in a five-star hotel in her life. Come to think of it, she’d only ever stayed at a Quality Inn, her first two nights in Houston, but if she had to guess, she would say this was what a five-star hotel room looked like.

Carmen showed her the big bathroom with a long vanity and a separate tub and walk-in shower. There was a closet nearly the size of her rented room and a second room attached to the first.

“Malcolm uses his spare room as an office,” Carmen told her. “I set up Keira’s as a living space.” She smiled. “I went brighter with her colors. Again, if you want to change any of this, please let me know.”

The color theme continued. There were two sofas and a chair, all upholstered in cream, another tufted ottoman, plenty of small tables, floor lamps and a fun faux-fur throw rug done in a gold-and-white zebra print.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Callie admitted. “Thank you so much for all of this.”

“You’re welcome.” Carmen pointed to her right. “Keira’s room is next to yours.” She waved toward the left. “Malcolm’s room is beyond the staircase. Your grandfather sleeps on the first floor. The stairs are more difficult for him these days. I have a suite of rooms on the third floor. Please make yourself comfortable, explore the house. You’re welcome in the kitchen anytime you’d like. I keep a running grocery list. Just tell me what you’d like and I’ll get it.”

“I’ll do that,” Callie promised as her head began to throb. She just wanted to be alone and try to figure out how to process all of it.

“Then I’ll leave you to get settled. Dinner is at six thirty. Just come downstairs and turn right.” She paused. “Your grandfather is very happy you’re here.”

Good to know, Callie thought, not sure how she felt about her new circumstances, but determined to be polite. She followed Carmen to the hallway and thanked her again before shutting the bedroom door. She felt her legs start to give way but forced herself to keep moving. She sat on the bed, then turned on the nightstand lamps before checking out the tray Carmen had brought only to be overwhelmed once again.

There was a large antipasto plate filled with slices of several kinds of cheese and meat. There were olives and almonds and walnuts, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Crusty rolls sat on a smaller plate next to a ramekin of butter. A third plate contained a half dozen different kinds of cookies. S-shaped and pinwheels, frosted lemon drop cookies and chocolate-dipped butter cookies.

Even as her stomach growled, she honestly wasn’t sure she could eat a bite. Not with her whole body fighting the need to bolt.

She ignored the food but sipped the tea as she checked out the big closet and saw there were more drawers there, along with built-in shelves and racks for her shoes. Back in the bedroom she found the remote for the television on the dresser, then walked into the huge bathroom.

The towels were the softest, fluffiest she’d ever felt and the shower was stocked with several kinds of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. There was a blow-dryer tucked in one drawer, along with a flat iron and a curling iron.

The sitting room had another television, a small refrigerator and more built-in storage. She saw several boxes stacked on the ottoman and walked over to inspect them. There was an iPhone, an iPad, chargers, headphones and a note about which carrier the family used, along with the house’s Wi-Fi code.

Callie left the boxes untouched as she moved around the room. One of the end tables had a stack of magazines along with a couple of hardcover books. She opened the front cover and was shocked when she realized these were new books, bought from a store. They hadn’t been checked out of the library.

She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. She had a sudden urge to scream or run or hide. Before she could decide, there was a knock, followed by the sound of her bedroom door opening.

“Callie?”

The voice was unfamiliar and very young. Callie went back into the bedroom and saw a slightly gawky girl smiling at her, a black-and-white kitten in her arms. The other sister, she thought.

“Hi. I’m Keira and this is Lizzy.” Keira sank onto the floor and released the kitten, who immediately began to explore. “She just used the litter box so you don’t have to worry about her peeing or anything. She’s really good. I’m really glad you’re here. Malcolm said I wasn’t supposed to bother you but I had to come see you. I mean dinner is hours away. Did you have a good flight? Have you flown before? I hadn’t and I was so scared, but Malcolm was with me and I didn’t want to say anything to him. He can be intimidating. Oh, wait!”

Keira jumped up and raced to the door. “I’ll be right back.”

Callie sat on the rug and offered her hand to the kitten. Lizzy sniffed her fingers before rubbing her head against her hand.

Keira returned and handed Callie two night-lights.

“It’s hard being in a strange place,” she said. “It can be dark at night. These might help. I have them in my room.”

The unexpected and kind gesture hit Callie with the force of a semitruck. She had to swallow before speaking so she wouldn’t burst into tears.

“Thank you. You’re very sweet.” She motioned to the room. “This is kind of a lot to take in.”

“It’s big, huh? When I lived with Angelina, my bedroom was an alcove off the dining room. When I saw my room, I freaked. In foster care, I had to share a room, which wasn’t too bad, only my foster sister was older and she talked about really scary stuff.” Keira reached for Lizzy and hugged her close.

“So here’s what you have to know. Grandfather Alberto is really old. Like ninety or something. He likes to give hugs and they’re nice, even though he smells strange. He’s funny and he really cares, which is nice.” She rolled her eyes. “He always wants to hear about how school is and stuff, but it’s good. Carmen is our housekeeper. She’ll get you anything you want.”

Keira kept looking at her. Finally she blurted, “We have the same freckles. Malcolm said but I didn’t know if I could believe him. Do you like yours? I can’t decide. Sometimes I like mine and sometimes I think they’re ugly.”

Without considering the consequences of the action, Callie reached for Keira and pulled her close. Keira was still for a second, then hung on with her free arm. The kitten squirmed between them before settling down and starting to purr.

Tears burned. Callie willed them away. To cry was to show weakness, she reminded herself.

“Your freckles are adorable,” Callie whispered. “Now that I’ve seen yours, I like mine better.”

They drew back and Keira grinned at her. “Me, too.” She handed over Lizzy. “I’ve only had her since Wednesday. Monday before school I was having hot chocolate with Delaney who never lets me get coffee, by the way, even though lots of kids drink coffee. Anyway, I saw this kitten in the street and ran out to save it and was hit by a car.” She shifted her long hair back so Callie could see the fading bruise on her face. “Delaney kept Lizzy for a couple of days and now she’s here. Do you like cats?”

“I’ve never had a pet, but yes, I like cats.” She’d always hoped to have a dog or a cat one day, although that dream had seemed a long way off.

“She lives in my room for now. I mean she’s small and the house is really big.” Keira looked around. “You have suitcases. That’s nice. I have a hatbox I used. When my mom died and social services came, Angelina said she didn’t want me to carry my clothes around in a trash bag like some foster kids, so she gave me her favorite hatbox.” Her mouth trembled at the corners. “I still miss her, but it’s been a long time since I lived with her. I tried texting her, but the number’s changed.”

Her expression brightened. “Did you see your new phone and tablet? Malcolm isn’t exactly friendly but he buys the best electronics. I had to get a computer for school and he got me a MacBook Air. I love it.” She wrinkled her nose. “I go to this very classy private school. We have to wear a uniform. The girls wear plaid. It’s ridiculous.”

Callie appreciated the chatter. It kept her from having to say too much. She still felt incredibly confused by everything that was happening, but Keira’s friendly conversation was safe and grounding.

“Do you have a lot of friends?” Callie asked.

“Some. It’s hard to make new friends.”

“It can be.” Callie petted Lizzy. “Try giving compliments. They have to be sincere, of course, but girls really like hearing you think their shoes are nice or their hair is pretty. Guys probably don’t care what you think of their shoes.”