Chapter Three: The Un Happy Birthday
The next morning the sky hung heavy and over cast. There was a heavy feeling of pain and sorrow in the air. Every thing was dark and dreadful. The Conlon's tried to go on about everything as usual, but there thoughts turned to the Evins twins.
That morning Julia and Eric woke
in a strange place. Julia clung to her teddy bear as she looked around the
room. She didn't know where she was and this frightened her. She looked over
and saw her brother, "Eric wake up." She said meekly as she shook him. Eric
woke up and gave a little stretch.
"Morning Julia." He said
rubbing his eyes. He blinked a few times and looked over at her.
"Where are we?" She asked
peering out from behind her teddy bear.
"We're at Hayden's house."
Eric said as he rolled out of the king size bed. Miss white walked in to wake
them, but saw they were already up.
"Breakfast is ready." Miss white said as cheerfully as she could, "The cook made your favorites." She smiled kindly at the two as they followed her down to the dinning room. The Conlon's were already at the table. Julia took a seat across from Hayden and Eric sat next to him.
"Happy Birthday Eric." Mrs. Conlon said smiling as she handed him a beautifully wrapped gift. She then turned to Julia and did the same, "Happy Birthday Julia."
They both accepted the gifts appreciatively. Eric opened his first. It was a bran new book on dragons and knights, "Thank-you Mr. and Mrs. Conlon." He smiled and flipped the book open. He marveled at the elaborate pictures to him they seemed so life like. Hayden leaned over Eric's shoulder to look.
Julia opened her gift next. It was a fairly good size box. Wrapped in pink paper with tiny little ballet dancers on it. She took off the paper and open the box. Inside there was a bran new paper of ballet slippers. Julia's eyes widened, "Thank-you SO much." She said with a huge smile on her face. Mr. and Mrs. Conlon were glad to see them happy.
The servants walked in carrying all different varieties of food. There were pancakes and strawberries with cream. There were eggs benedict, sausage and bacon. Julia picked at her food. Mr. Conlon noticed Julia wasn't very happy.
"Is something wrong Julia?" Mr. Conlon asked.
"Are my Mother and Father okay?" Julia asked as she stared down at her breakfast. Mr. Conlon looked to his wife.
"Julia, honey…." Mrs. Conlon started, but before she could finish the tears rolled down Julia's cheeks.
After breakfast was over and done with. Hayden and Eric ran off to go play. Julia went in to the parlor to practice her ballet. Mrs. Conlon walked in and saw her, "Julia I was thinking how would you like to continue with your ballet lessons? I'm sure I can find some one to teach you." She said softly. Mrs. Conlon knew that Julia's mother had taught her to dance and it wouldn't be the same, but she would like to see her continue.
"Sure." Julia shrugged and continued to dance around.
"Everything's going to be alright.'' Mrs. Conlon assured her.
Mr. Conlon had sent a few of his servants over to the Evins house to collect Eric and Julia's things. He thought it would be best for them not to return to the house. Mr. Oolds returned with their things.
Miss White had made up the extra bedrooms for the twins. Each was geared to their personalities to make them feel more at home since they would now be living with them.
The day seemed to drag on forever for Julia. Eric was busy playing with Hayden and that seemed to take his mind off of things. Mr. and Mrs. Conlon noticed Julia's depressing mood.
"Richard what if we called up the Hartley's to see if they could bring Catherine over. Her and Julia are about the same age. It may help her take her mind of off things." Mrs. Conlon suggested.
"That's a great idea." He said
walking over to the phone and ringing up the Hartley's, "Hello, Patrick. This
is Richard Conlon…. Good, good…. yes it was most unfortunate." Mr. Conlon said
on one end of the phone, "I was wondering if you would be willing to bring
Catherine over for a play date with Julia?" There was a few second pause,
"Great, you and I can talk business…alright see you then, buh-bye." Mr. Conlon
hung up the phone, "They will be over in a little bit." He informed Mrs.
Conlon.
"I will go tell Julia." Mrs.
Conlon walked off to find Julia still in the parlor dancing her heart out,
"Dear, Catherine will be over in a while maybe you two can play dolls?" She
suggested.
"Okay." Julia said as she
stopped dancing and sat down. Mrs. Conlon sat next to her, "Did they find the
guy?" She asked quietly.
"No, I'm sorry they haven't,
but don't worry about it. They are out their looking for him now and there are
guards posted all around the house. You don't have to worry about him." Mrs.
Conlon soothingly rubbed her back, "Come lets go wait for Catherine." Julia
stood up and took Mrs. Conlon's hand and they walked out of the parlor.
