Page 2 of The Twins

Tev:Just my dick.

Tov:Mine too.

Grimacing, I concede. Tovah practically invented Big Dick Energy, and she’s got a set of unrivaled fucking brass balls. I’m man enough to admit, I’m a scary fucking dude, but Tovah makes the monsters that go bump in the night run home terrified.

Tov:Now, put the phone down, fucker, and pay attention. Feel the support, sing Kumbaya, hold hands, and find a way to be better. For Arlo.

Tev:I should have eaten you in the womb.

Tov:Fuck, can you imagine if we shared the same body? The world would shudder at our feet. Dammit, now I wish you had…the power!

She sends a He-Man meme, and I pocket my phone with a chuckle. I glance up and find Vandy staring at me with an expression I don’t understand. Her eyes meet mine and she smiles quickly, dropping her head and subtly shaking it back and forth a couple times.

“Everyone, please take your seats. Let’s get started.” Her voice carries despite how small she is. Reminds me a little of Dorothy’s sister Sophia. Innocent. Sweet. Pure. I don’t know what to do with someone like that.

And since I’m not here to fuck, I guess it doesn’t matter.

“Welcome. Chronic illness can be devastating. Not just to the one diagnosed, but those that love and care for that person. Parents and caregivers suffer right alongside them, often in silence. This group allows you to voice your fears, concerns, anger, sadness, joy, and more. You may share or simply listen. The journey is yours to steer. I always begin with a little bit about myself for any newcomers. My name is Vandy Gibbs, and I am a Registered Nurse, specializing in pediatrics, and dabbling in home health care for children with chronic illnesses.” Bullshit, she looks like she’s barely in her twenties. “I’ve been working in this field for over 10 years. I’ve been told by professors and other nurses and doctors, never become attached to your patients. I say, ‘screw that’. How can we care for another human being and not feel? I am blessed to have met so many wonderful children over the years, and I’m grateful their caregivers invited me into their homes, giving me the opportunity to improve their quality of life. Chronic illness isn’t a prison sentence. It doesn’t mean that parents or family members have to give up their lives to tend to their loved ones that are sick. It’s about finding a balance.”

The door opens, interrupting Vandy’s speech. I glance over my shoulder and am shocked to find Seril ducking in with a wave. “Sorry, I’m late. Sorry.” She finds me in the circle and heads straight to me. “Tev, make room.” The woman next to me smiles at Seril and scoots down to offer Seril her seat.

I lean in close once Seril’s settled and thanked the woman, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for support.”

“Seril—”

“That is Sarai Ima to you,” she replies sternly. She giggles a second later as I roll my eyes. She never pulls rank, though she could. Being the wife of the Avraham Avinu, the head of the Jewish mafia, has its perks. Seril is not one to abuse such power. And that’s why she’s perfect for Moshe and the Kosher Nostra. “You remember my mother has a TBI?” I nod, feeling like an ass. “Now, shut up, you’re disrupting the meeting.”

I chuckle but sit up straight in my seat and cross my right leg over my left. Vandy’s dark eyes dart between Seril and I and if I’m not mistaken her shoulders stiffen ever so slightly. Interesting.

“Alright, enough about me. Who would like to begin tonight?” No one rushes to raise their hands. After a few silent seconds, Seril wiggles her fingers in the air. “Wonderful. When you’re ready.”

Seril takes a deep breath, then unloads quite a lot. While I’m familiar with her history, it’s still surprising to hear everything she’s gone through with her mother. By the time she’s done, I find myself uncharacteristically verklempt. She’s a strong fucking woman. Moshe and his mom have worked hard to give Seril the chance to just be a daughter, rather than a caregiver. Several people nod, and a few ask questions about the nursing options. Pretty soon, Seril has taken over the meeting.

I twist to the side to find Vandy. I expect her to be mad, jealous that someone has stolen her thunder. Instead, she’s grinning from ear to ear, engaged and encouraging, even asking some questions of her own. She’s using Seril’s story as inspiration.

Who the hell is this woman?

Vandy Gibbs 2.

“These are so good!” Someone gushes over the cookies I baked for tonight. I smile as I continue setting up chairs in a circle in the center of the large room we use for the chronic illness support group. My eyes dart back to the doors every few seconds. A strange hum buzzes through my body in anticipation. I’m hopinghe’llbe back tonight.

And I shouldn’t. It’s unethical, compounded by the fact that I can’t determine if he’s taken. He wasn’t wearing a ring, but that doesn’t mean much in this day and age. Lots of men don’t wear wedding bands, doesn’t mean they aren’t married.

Seril is a wonderful woman. Open and honest and captivating with a confidence I can only hope to achieve someday. They appeared close last week, but the nature of their relationship was ambiguous. He’s hot…like very, very hot. And I’ve had to remind myself that being attracted to someone isn’t a crime, but acting on it in any way is ill-advised.

Doesn’t stop my heart from beating wildly when he hunches slightly to enter the room, Seril at his side. How is he more handsome? He’s at least 6 ½ feet tall. Swept back dark blond hair, a chiseled face hidden behind a darker beard, piercing gray-blue eyes, broad shoulders, trim waist, all accentuated by the clean lines of his tailored blue suit. A white dress shirt unbuttoned enough to show off tanned skin with a hint of chest hair. I swallow hard as I run my eyes up and down…and up and down again, before meeting his hard stare. I can’t look away. I need to, but I don’twantto.

“Vandy!” Seril greets me enthusiastically, opening her arms and banding them around me in a hug. She rocks us back and forth a couple times, before stepping back with a chuckle. “Sorry, I’m a hugger.” She elbows the giant next to her, “Isn’t that right, Tev?” He grunts, his eyes drifting to Seril momentarily before coming back to mine.

“Welcome back,” I rasp, clear my throat, and try again. “Glad you could come back. I hope last week was helpful for you both.”

“Very!” Seril gushes. “It was therapeutic to get it all out about my mom. I apologize if I stepped on your toes, I didn’t mean to take over the meeting.”

I wave off her concern. “Not at all. I think it was good for the others to hear about someone else’s experience. I’m on one side of the situation, but still separate as a nurse, but you were able to give them invaluable real-life lessons. And I think the clear line between relative and caregiver resonated with several of them.”

She sighs in relief. “I’m so relieved. I wanted to talk to you more about that.” She looks over my shoulder at the clock on the wall and winces. “Since we’re about to begin, would I be able to steal you for a few minutes after?”

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