Chapter 2: The Replacement

Mark pulled the van into Jon’s driveway and cut the engine, exhaling a slow breath. He adjusted his uniform shirt, glancing at himself in the rearview mirror. Same as always—bald, burly, bearded, built like a wall. Just like Bob. It never failed to amaze him how identical they were, even after fifty-plus years.

Most people assumed they loved being twins, but the reality was more complicated. As kids, it had been a blessing—two powerhouse athletes, nearly unstoppable together on the football field and wrestling mat. They’d been stars, the pride of their conservative Midwestern town. But as they got older, it became a burden. People treated them differently, sometimes like a novelty act. Strangers asked stupid questions—Have you ever switched places? Can you read each other’s minds? Do you feel it when he gets hurt? And now, in their fifties, still living together, they got side-eyes and smirks, as if two grown men sharing a home was some kind of weird joke.

Mark had never planned on this. He’d had a wife, a life, a future. But when his twenty-five-year marriage imploded, he had nowhere else to go. His ex had left him bitter and broken, taking half of everything and spitting on what was left. He hadn’t just lost a marriage—he’d lost the dream of having a family. She had never wanted kids, and Mark had always told himself he was fine with that. But deep down, he hadn’t been. He’d wanted to be a father more than anything. And now, it was too late.