Identical Twins

 

Identical Twins

We were identical twins in every way, except for the decisions we made over the years.  He married his high school sweetheart, stayed in town, and worked like a dog to make ends meet.  I dumped my high school girlfriend when I went off to college, then to graduate school, then off to the big city to make millions. 

My twin had a big family.  First came kids, then grandkids, with uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.  They all came to his house for the holidays. Everybody loved him.   I was single, but I threw fantastic Christmas parties for my employees, then flew my top achievers to the islands.  Everybody loved me too, in a way.  We were still somewhat like identical twins. 

My twin and I got together every year on our birthday.  He updated me on all our old friends.  Some had stayed in town, some left for the city, some married and had kids, some got sick and died.  I told him about all the celebrities I knew in the city.  We envied each other’s lives, lives that were less and less identical.      

My twin made sure there was always food on the table and drinks on the counter.  On weekends, his house was party central. In the bar, everyone knew and loved him, and they always bought him another round. I didn’t have friends like that, but I paid all my employees well, gave them regular promotions and bonuses, and partied with them when they’d let me.  So identical, in a way.      

When his liver gave out, my twin reached out to me.  He told me that a partial liver transplant from me could save his life.   But I had ruined my liver too, so I couldn’t help.  I found a donor and he didn’t.  Being identical cost him.   

When he passed away, I returned to the hometown and reconnected with old friends.  I helped my twin’s wife with the mortgage and put his kids through college. I wanted to be more like him, but nobody in town believed I was my brother’s identical twin because I didn’t have his big belly, bald head, open door, wife and kids. Other than that, we were identical.   I tried to be more like him so I could recover from living in the shadow of the perfect brother.