My heart gave a sudden, painful lurch. Julian had never mentioned a family. He had presented himself to the hospital staff as a man completely alone in the world, a forgotten soul with no living kin.
“Lily’s favorite thing in the world was that red dress,” Arthur continued. “Julian made it for her fifth birthday. But that winter, a tragedy struck their home. A house fire caused by a faulty heating unit swept through their residence. Julian managed to pull his wife and his son Caleb out of the flames, but by the time he went back for Lily…” Arthur paused, clearing his throat against a sudden swell of emotion. “…it was too late. All he could save from her room was that red dress.”
I touched the soft silk, tears welling in my eyes. The grief I had carried for my own mother seemed to reach out and touch the ancient, agonizing sorrow sewn into every thread of the garment.
