The Trap

Chapter 51

A few days later it was moving day. Everyone on Dolphin Way helped out. The team started out at about eight in the morning. For breakfast Mason had picked up donuts, Beth made coffee and had bought chocolate milk for the kids. It took about two hours to box up all of Paula and the girls' belongings and load up two trucks. 

Then the entire street left and drove a half hour to Simon's. He told the men where to put the items while the ladies put everything away. It was quicker to not have the kids help because they could break something. So they played in the backyard with Honey. In no time all the boxes were brought in or in the garage. Before emptying the boxes, the women cleaned the house before adding in more stuff. When the house was spotless and everything was up or put away, Simon and Paula looked at each other as a sign that it was time show the girls their new room.

"Kids time to come in!"

All the kids rushed in curious about what was happening.  

"What's going on?"

"Holly and Lily, your mother and I have a surprise for you. So close your eyes and follow the sound of my voice."

"What is it, Dad?" Lily asked hoping it was something her and her sister would both like.

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise anymore."

The girls followed without a follow-up question. Paula helped her daughters not run into anything and two of the neighborhood boys, Issac and Brandon Willis, carried the girls upstairs. The two brothers are the oldest on Dolphin Wave and treat Holly and Lily like their little sisters. Issac and Brandon put the girls down when they arrived into the girls' rooms. 

"You can open your eyes now!" Simon said with a huge grin.

Both girls were in complete shock. Paula snapped a picture of their reaction so that they could remember this moment forever.

"So do you like it?" Paula asked her daughters. They both were still standing in the middle of the room with their mouths open.

"I love it, Mom!" Holly said looking and smiling at her mother.

"Wow all purple and blue!" Lily said with a huge grin. 

"Thanks Mommy!" Holly replied with the same expression as before. 

"Thank you Mommy and Daddy!" Lily said turning her head to look at both parents, still smiling.

"You're welcome girls!" Simon said smiling at Holly and Lily. He was glad that they loved their new room.

Lily launched herself into Simon's arms while Holly gave her mom a huge hug. After the hug with Lily was over, Simon calls Holly over and opens up his arms for her to walk into. He was hoping that she would at least hug him. Holly starts walking in his direction, but then she ignores him again and walks right out of the room. Paula rushes out of the room and catches up with Holly in the hallway. She pulls her daughter into the playroom and closes the door for more privacy.

Holly Julie Abdul, are you kidding me right now?"

"What?"

"Dad and I spent about four hours making this room special for you and Lily. And you couldn't even say thank you to him for all his hard work? You know he was the one who came up with this idea to give you and Lily your own room."

"I'm not talking to him right now."

"All you had to do was smile and nod. Why don't you hug him anymore?"

"It's a sign of communication, like talking."

"Okay that may be, but you young lady, are going back in there and hugging Dad. The hug doesn't have to be long or anything, just long enough so it doesn't seem like I'm making you do this. Do you know how hurt he is that you don't even touch him anymore? You are breaking his heart when you do that," her mom said in a low but stern voice. She hoping to get through to her daughter and for Holly to know how selfish she was being.