Home Sweet Home

“Order’s here!” Marie lugged the Amazon box into the dining room. One by one, Mom and Dad opened each tiny package and handed it to one of the twins. The whole family watched as the second-floor bedrooms came to life. One had lavender curtains and a pink and lavender quilt resting on a tiny rocking chair. The other had a dark teal and gold quilt, light teal pillows, and a mahogany writing desk. “Lovely!” everyone agreed.

The summer had flown by. Between long walks, bike rides, and furnishing the doll house, the family barely noticed the lock-down. The twins were each other’s best friends, so they didn’t miss being around others. Mom and Dad both worked at home, and delighted in each other’s company. It was like a second honeymoon, only better, because they had meaningful work and two beautiful children.

“The best of all worlds,” Dad declared as he placed the weekly order for miniature furniture, linens, wall hangings and kitchen utensils. Mom had always wanted a doll house when she was growing up, so Dad had made her one as a wedding present. Now, fourteen years later, the interior of the house was almost complete.

Life was good that summer. But now, fall was just around the corner. The big news was school re-openings, which set the girls to moaning. They loved learning, but hated school. None of the kids understood their secret twin-code. The clueless teachers called them “Marianna” and “Theodora”. They had to sit still hour upon hour. They preferred their lock-down life. The entire family reviewed the choices, then came up with a plan.

“I think it’s ready,” Dad announced, as he tested the running water and electricity and Internet connection in the doll house. “Who wants to be first?”

Teddy stepped over the threshold, ran upstairs to her teal and gold bedroom. Marie paused in the schoolroom to admire the shelves of all their favorite books, then bounced on her lavender and pink bed. Mom and Dad settled into the cozy comfy sofa with happy sighs. “Home sweet home!”