Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: RELATIVES (02/15/18)
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TITLE: Two Peas in a Pod | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
02/21/18 -
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Alexander was just as surprised to see a slightly better-dressed image of himself coasting down his elementary school hallway to his classroom. The two boys met at the doorway and stood eyeing each other up and down as a dozen or two others students also stopped to stare.
Their grade three teacher, Mrs. Singh-Peters hustled the boys into the room and sat them in their alphabetically designated desks. “Strange,” she said, “I could have sworn you two were brothers.” The first hour of teaching was a waste as Jessie and Alexander couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other.
At recess, Alexander made the first move as soon as the students reached the playground. He stood toe to toe, Sketchers to Dockers. “What you doing, lookin’ like dat?”
Jessie looked around as more and more students formed a ring around the pair. “Are we supposed to fight?” he asked.
“You know how?”
“Only Karate, Judo and Tae Kwon Do.”
“What belt you got?”
“Orange, Brown, White with Yellow Stripe.”
“Fightin’s stupid if ya got nuthin’ to fight about.”
“Agreed.” The boys shook and raced to the soccer field where a lifelong friendship would begin.
Their first dates, at thirteen, were a double-date with two sisters to the school dance. They spent more time break dancing and clowning around then paying attention to the girls. The girls were not impressed.
At the age of sixteen Jessie took the relationship a step further. He had his hair cut exactly like Alexander’s. He asked to borrow Alexander’s clothes. He suggested they change seats in English class. Only his tendency to fall into slang gave him away. He began to work on his speech patterns.
By the last months of their senior year it was almost impossible to tell them apart. They switched homes for a day to see if their parents could tell them apart. Alexander’s knew immediately. Jessie’s took longer.
The two friends took different tracks in college, Jessie focusing on athletics and liberal arts – Alexander focusing on academics and journalism. They kept in touch and often double-dated.
Two years after graduating they hit a winning combination on a double-date and set about for a double-wedding. Jessie made it to semi-pro in football while Alexander settled in as a lab technician in a prestigious hospital. Jessie had four sons and Alexander had two sons and two daughters.
Jessie became a widower at fifty-six when his wife died of ovarian cancer. Alexander became a widower at sixty-one when his wife was killed in a vehicle accident. The two helped each other through their grief.
Alexander had a cabin and one December evening, as they huddled by the fire playing checkers, Jessie said. “I never told you this before, but I found out that I was adopted. Funny how you can go your whole life and never realize that the people who raised you aren’t your real parents.”
Alexander chuckled. “Funny thing about that. When my mom passed away a few years back she left me a letter telling me the same thing. I’m not your birth mom but you’re my son in every way possible and I’m proud of you.”
Jessie sat up and looked at Alexander. “Ever thought of getting one of them paternity tests? So you can find out who you belong to?”
“Nah. So they didn’t tell me. They’re still my mom and dad. I know where I belong. God knows. That’s good enough for me.”
“C’mon. Just for the heck of it. I’m scheduling one for next week. At least come with me. Maybe you’ll try it just for fun.”
March 25th was the day they gave their blood samples. April 1st was the day they got the news.
They sat in the office and carefully opened up their envelopes. They both nodded at the blood type, details and other notations. “What does your's say?” Alexander probed. “Let me see.”
The men laid their results side by side. “It’s a duplicate. Is this a joke?”
“Nope,” said the doctor. “Appears you are twins.”
The whooping was genuine.
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I didn't guess until toward the end that they were twins.