Page 103 of Ruby (Landry 1)

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parrot. There was a cute black and white puppy

tugging at the hem of her full skirt. On each side of

the bed were two nightstands, each with a bell shaped

lamp. But beside a matching dresser and armoire, the

room had a vanity table with an enormous oval mirror

in an ivory frame, the frame covered with hand

painted red and yellow roses. And in the corner beside

it, an old French birdcage hung.

"I have my own bathroom?" I asked, gazing

through the open doorway on my right. The plush

bathroom had a large tub, sink, and commode, all with

brass fixtures. There were even flowers and birds

hand painted on the tub and sink.

"Of course. Twin sister or not, Gisselle is not

the sort you share a bathroom with," my father said,

smiling. "This door," he added, nodding at the door on my left, "joins the two rooms. I hope the day will soon come when the two of you will move back and forth

through it eagerly."

"So do I," I said. I went to the windows and

gazed out at the grounds of the estate. I saw that I

faced the pool and the tennis court. Through the open

window, I could smell the green bamboo, gardenias,

and blooming camellias.

"Do you like it?" my father asked.

"Like it? I love it. It's the most wonderful room

I've ever seen," I declared. He laughed at my

exuberance.

"It will be something fresh to see someone

appreciate everything around here again. So often,

things are taken for granted," he explained.

"I'll never take anything for granted again," I

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