Tricky Twins

The day both brothers were born was not a regular one, it was a tricky day for their mother; in fact, she didn’t see it coming…

Their biological father met their mother at a party long ago; a party in which alcohol was the official drink and drugs were the official food. You know, the kind of party people who lack self-love or parents’ love attend; empty hearts willing to fill their souls’ hole with whatever is at hand. This kind of party is teens’ favorite. Nevertheless, these wild parties only have an obvious result: to maintain their status quo or, what is worse, to lower it. In such a way, society will always renew individuals who always feel pity for themselves, you know, the somebody-else’s-fault blamers. Somehow, society needs them.

That particular night their father was high (too much cocaine!), and their mother was far gone (too many whiskey shots!). He was an insecure person (drugs were his anchor to this planet) looking for a one-night romance. She was socially programmed to please this kind of “men”; so, she knew she had to get drunk to be easy prey for him (conscious drunkenness is the perfect excuse to have sex without being called a slut, blame alcohol!). The logical consequence? A bastard… in their case, 2.

9 months later, on April 1^st, their twins arrived. Maybe it was fate!

Their muscle father never existed, it was just a one-night romance, why would he have stayed? Their young mother couldn’t handle it either, she also disappeared; therefore, the babies’ grandmother raised them; as a matter of fact, she had also been a single mother of 6, different fathers of course!

The day the twins were born was not a regular one, the same way the Moon influences tides, Fools’ Day has influenced both brothers enormously, one twin was the low tide and the other one was the high tide.

Fate decided to make them a coin, well, at least, the two sides of the same coin; that is, even though they looked alike (2 drops of water), they were meant to be opposites without connection. Like the 2 sides of the same coin, they were made to look at and to face opposite views and realities.

Sometimes life is a bed of roses, sometimes it doesn´t give much; not because life itself is stingy but due to the social system it is caught in… different societies, different circumstances, and opportunities. On one hand, there are third-world communities in our major cities even though we are a first world country; on the other hand, the twins’ community is similar to any other community on this planet, there’s a chance to find what you need or what you’re looking for, good or bad, it’s your call. There’s always a chance…

Bobby and Art were normal kids, raised and loved by the same person, but when their birthday came, they used to do opposite things, like the 2 sides of the same coin! After eating the traditional birthday cake their grandmother prepared for them with breakfast (the only present she was able to give, thanks to God for coupons!), on one hand, Bobby used to walk throughout the hood looking for friends to somehow find a game to play or maybe a neighbor in need to help, on the other hand, Art was seduced by lazy hood homeboys who loved easy life and money a lot or who kept violent traditions without knowing these bloody traditions’ beginning or background. But whenever Bobby and Art came back home, Art always had a prank for his twin brother, after all, it was Fools’ Day.

Like the day they turned 6, Art ate “his” half of their birthday cake up and kept Bobby’s half to sell it among his kindergarten classmates, one dollar for a piece (even though Bobby wanted to share his part of the cake with them).

Or like the day they turned 9, Art stole an Alameda striped racer from the Science Lab and put it into his brother’s backpack and when Bobby opened it in Math class the snake took a tour around the classroom making everybody jump onto their desks. Bobby was put in detention; however, in the end, Art was the one punished.

Or like the day they turned 13, Art placed a bucket full of blood (that day their dog died accidentally!) on their bedroom door left just ajar for Bobby to open it and to dirty his new shirt (the one Bobby worked for 4 weekends, cleaning their neighbors’ gardens, to get the money for, he just wanted to go to his middle school with a designer shirt).

Or like the day they turned 15, Art, helped by 3 of his homeboys who restrained Bobby on the ground, decided to rape Bobby’s high school girlfriend because she chose his brother instead of him. Although Art, as a member of the local gang, was already selling drugs in the streets and schools, that was the first time Art was put in jail… no more school! Who needed it to have a bright future anyway?

Or like the day they turned 19, Art came back home (no other place to go to… or to be accepted in) from prison, he brought some presents for his brother and grandmother, stolen from the grocery store owned by a Chinese family. That day Art told the Chinese family: “This shop has the honor of being robbed by Robert Brown, at your service!”. The police officers came home to arrest Bobby but, instead, they took Art with them (give a dog a bad name and hang him). That day, after explaining Bobby’s innocence at the police station, their grandmother died, a heart attack. Bobby didn’t have a chance to face Art (Bobby never forgave Art for what he did to his girlfriend). After their grandmother’s funeral, Bobby just focused on college, becoming a doctor to save lives.

Or like today when they turned 21, Art came back home from prison, again!, but nobody was at home (Bobby was taking his last class for the day at the university). So, Art put his gun on the kitchen table, went to the bathroom, took a shower, put on some of his twin brother’s clothes, and took a nap. Art was very tired! Art was soundly asleep when Bobby got home. Today was their birthday, no grandmother’s cake this time, and Fools’ Day. Bobby thought it was a good idea to take the bullets out of Art’s gun. What a prank! Besides, Bobby always wanted Art to do no wrong. Bobby left home because he didn’t want to confront Art, something really bad might have happened.

Art woke up. There was only one thought in his mind: to make money, the way he decided to since he was a kid.

Art took his gun, his only friend. He was determined to do whatever it takes to get some money. He left home, the only home he has ever had, he made his way. Art started to walk… observing everything and everybody around, chasing his prey or selecting a good business with no security system, any easy target.

“Don’t move! The money… give me everything you have on you. MOVE! Quickly, I ain’t have no time”, Art threatened his victim.

The only problem was Art’s victim had a gun too, and she used it.

“Wrong move, pal, I’m packed”, she explained by showing her own gun. She saw it coming.

When Art pulled the trigger, he realized his gun didn’t fire any bullet. It was too late, his victim shot him in the chest. Art fell on his knees. She called 911, calmly.

“He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword”, a police officer said.

“Yeah, we know this cutie, ma’am. So, don’t worry. We know it was self-defense”, his partner added.

“I understand. But remember: ‘every time a person is killed, something dies within us”, Art’s victim sentenced.

Bobby’s neighbors helped him with Art’s funeral expenses. Art’s gang members didn’t show up this time, they were in the streets doing what they knew best: nothing! Bobby’s cheeks were dry, no tears rolling down… just a profound painful sadness.