Chapter 27 - Kaylee Part 1

We spent the half-hour drive to Kaylee’s house going over her biography as well as mine. I learned about her family. Her parents Tiffany and Jared, aka Mom and Dad, her twin Alyssa, and her little brother Owen. We also talked about how her parents view her job and hobbies, as well as who was going to be at Thanksgiving.

“I don’t get it,” I said. “You love reading. Why didn’t you go to school for writing?”

“I love reading fantasy,” Sydney replied. “And romance. Not the boring stuff they make you read in high school. When school would assign us reading, I’d pick up a different book instead. Alyssa had better grades - which is why she got to go to community college.”

“You didn’t like Steinbeck, Dickens, or Shakespeare?”

“OK, a few of those were good. But for every classic, there were two equally grueling novels I couldn’t get through.”

“I suppose that’s fair. I couldn’t get through Catcher in the Rye.”

“Let’s be honest, most high school kids only like Catcher in the Rye because it has profanity in it.”

A phone vibrated and Sydney pulled hers out of her purse. “Um, who is KappaPres2024?”

“Remember how I told you I swapped people without their consent?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, he is one of them. What did he say?”

Sydney read the email. “I’m ready to talk. Can I meet you tonight?”

I laughed. “Fucker. He waited until Thanksgiving weekend?”

“Do you want me to reply?”

“Sure. Tell him I’m gone for the weekend so we won't be able to meet until next week.”

“Gotcha,” she replied, typing the response. “Sent. So what do I need to know about you? In case my family asks.”

“Honestly, you can likely make shit up at this point,” I confessed. “The real S has moved on and has a better life.”

“You told me Guild members keep a journal with a bio. What does hers say?”

“Let me think… um… 21 years old. Music major. Single child. I think she’s from the Midwest. I don’t know why her parents don’t contact her often. Neither R nor Robert gave me any reasons. They said they were relieved when Sydney stopped—” I quickly made air quotes with my hands before putting them back on the steering wheel, “her tomboy phase.”

“That’s awful.”

“In some ways Sydney’s parents remind me of my own.”

“This is my street,” she said. “Turn here. Second house on the left. Pull into the driveway.”

I pulled into the drive and put the car into park. I took a deep breath. It’s showtime.

“Are you ready?” Sydney asked.

“Yeah. This is the third time I’ve met someone else’s parents as their kid. Antonio’s mom was cool. Jasmine’s mom - now that wasn’t a pleasant experience.”

“I hope this is better.”

“We’ll see.” I got out of the car and went to grab my bag.

“Wait - that’s my bag now,” Sydney reminded me.

“Right,” I replied. “I just feel bad because I overpacked.”

“You’re too cute. Why did you overpack?”

“I wanted to make a good first impression.”

“I guess that’s up to me now,” Sydney chuckled.

I walked bagless up the path to the door as Sydney trailed behind me with her suitcase.

“You can just walk in and announce yourself,” she coached me.

I turned the knob, walked through the front door, and into the foyer. “Mom, Dad, I’m home,” I announced.

“Kay, we’re in here!” a woman’s voice was heard from around the corner.

“Hey,” I said, walking into the kitchen, trying to keep it casual for a family I hadn’t met yet.

Standing there were two women. One was clearly Kaylee’s identical twin sister, Alyssa. Identical, but I could tell she wasn’t Kaylee. A blond streak in her hair. Her eyes, slightly closer. Her nose, smaller. The other woman could've been a triplet if not for the fact she was twenty years older and gray roots were showing in her hair. 

“Dad’s at work until later,” Kaylee’s mom answered. “And who is your friend?” she asked, smiling at Sydney.

“This is Sydney,” I said, gesturing at her.

“Hi, Mrs.—” Sydney began.

“Call me Tiffany,” she interrupted.

“Thank you for having me… Tiffany,” Sydney said awkwardly, her throat suddenly dry.

“Took you long enough,” Alyssa complained to me. “You said you would be here by noon.”

I didn’t have a watch nor a phone on me. “What time is it?”

“It’s 1:05,” Alyssa snarked back at me. “We were about to order lunch without you.” 

I looked at Sydney who gave me a ‘see what I have to deal with’ look. K had coached me during our drive to make sure I volley her snark right back at her. But I couldn’t find the right words. It also occurred to me that it was K’s idea to curl my hair before we left. Maybe she purposely made us late? I turned back to my family. “Sorry, I lost track of time. Besides, traffic was a bitch.”

“Language, honey,” Mom immediately interjected.

“Sorry, Mom.”

“Here’s the menu,” she said, handing it to me. It was a sushi take-out menu. I took it over to Sydney.

“It would’ve been nice for them to text us during the drive to ask if we actually wanted sushi,” Sydney whispered. 

“I like sushi,” I whispered back. Maybe I was being too agreeable. It also occurred to me that it was Daniel who liked sushi. Does Kaylee? I’m not aware if Sydney has any seafood allergies. It wasn’t written in her journal. I’d feel really bad if K’s time in Sydney came to an end because of allergies. “Can I borrow your phone real quick?” 

Sydney handed me her phone.

I found the contact for Robert and texted him. “Do I have any seafood allergies?” Hopefully he gets back to me before we eat.

We quietly picked out what we wanted and relayed our order to Mom.

Robert quickly replied with “Nope. No allergies.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, thanked Robert, and handed the phone back to Sydney. “You don't have a seafood allergy,” I whispered to her.

She looked at me surprised. “Good call. I didn’t think to ask.”

Mom picked up the house phone to order. “Kay, why don’t you show your friend to your room while I order this?”

“Sure thing, Mom,” I said.

Sydney was reaching for her bag when Alyssa found another excuse to criticise me. “Geez, Kaylee,” Alyssa whined, “making your guest carry her own bag.”

I frowned at her before asking Sydney, “Can I carry that for you?”

“Nevermind, I’ll get it,” Alyssa said, cutting me off. She came over and attempted to lift Sydney’s bag, but instead nearly pulled her arm out of her socket. “What do you have in here, Sydney?” Alyssa cried, rubbing her shoulder.

“A few dead bodies,” Sydney calmly replied. “I needed to get them as far away from the scene of the crime as I could.”

Alyssa was rendered speechless for a moment. “Um, OK.”

“Let me show you my room,” I reiterated, taking the bag back from Alyssa. I hoped she wouldn't follow us. 

Sydney angled her head to indicate to go upstairs.

I took that hint and led her up the stairs, carrying her bag.

“On the left,” Sydney whispered, gesturing at the door with a drawing of Link from The Legend of Zelda on it and the name “Kaylee” stenciled in gothic calligraphy underneath.

We walked into her room, and I announced loud enough so everyone could hear, “And this is my bedroom.”

Sydney giggled at my performance, then shut the door to give us some privacy.

I looked around. There was a large window to the backyard that was letting ample sunlight into the room. The walls were painted lavender, and, much like her apartment, it was filled with books. It was also dotted with fantasy figurines and photo frames. “This is cute,” I whispered.

“Well, you didn’t have to live here for eighteen years,” she replied.

“I could imagine myself here,” I said, examining the books. Many I’ve read. Including some young adult novels I remember having in Daniel’s room - before my parents purged all of that.

Standing in the center of the room, in the midst of the afternoon sunlight, I scanned the warmth of my bedroom. I picked up a photo frame of two teenaged red-headed twins. I smiled at the picture of younger me and Alyssa.

“We were certainly something growing up,” Sydney reminisced, looking over my shoulder. “Before our falling-out.”

“What happened?”

“It was a lot of little things that led up to one big thing. I really don’t want to get into it.”

“OK,” I replied. Although a part of me thought that I really should know that information if I’m going to be Kaylee for the weekend.

“Hey - don’t let Alyssa walk all over you.”

“Sorry, I’m not used to that kind of banter.”

“I know. Your innocence is one of the things I love about you.”

“I like to find goodness in everyone.” I thought back to Aiden. “Well, at least I try.”

“It’s sweet.”

I looked around the room. “The way you described your childhood home, you made it sound like a medieval dungeon. Your mom seems very nice,” I said, looking back at the photo frame before setting it down, “and you and Alyssa are adorable.”

“Adorable is a reach. Sure, you say that now. That’s because you have a guest here. Let me get your opinion again at the end of the weekend.”

I looked around the room, stopping at the full-sized bed. Then raised an eyebrow at Sydney. “That’s right, you didn’t tell them we’re dating.”

“Yeah - doesn’t matter. It’s not like we’ll be doing anything kinky this weekend.”

Oof. Stabbed through the heart. “Hey, we never talked about it the last time we swapped. Are you afraid of kissing yourself?”

“Oh,” she said, looking down in embarrassment. “It’s not about kissing myself. It’s about kissing Alyssa. You see, when I look at you, I don’t see my reflection. I see my sister.”

“Oh. That makes sense,” I said, trying to hide my disappointment. I'm not sure why I didn’t realize that before.

“So, if it’s OK with you, I’d really like to avoid the whole kissing-my-sister thing.”

“Yeah. Sure,” I replied. “I get it. The only time I kissed Daniel, it was awkward.”

Sydney’s eyes got wide. “You kissed yourself?”

I turned red from embarrassment. I didn’t want her to know I’d had sex with him too. “Yeah. But all it did was reaffirm that I’m not into guys.”

I turned to look at some of the other artifacts in her bedroom when she came up from behind and wrapped me tightly in her arms. She whispered in my ear, “Remember, I offered you a weekend of endless sex and a naked Thanksgiving, but you decided you wanted to meet my family instead.”

“I just wanted to spend a weekend with you. Clothing optional.”

“You will spend the weekend with me. But we can’t get naked until we get back home.”

“I’m sure I’ll survive.” I turned my head and smiled at her.

“If you survive my family I promise I’ll give you an IOU on the naked weekend.”

“Only if it comes with a turkey leg.”

“I promise.” She squeezed me tightly.

* * *

When Mom returned with the sushi, we joined her and Alyssa in the kitchen. Both women wasted no time in getting to know their guest.

“So, Sydney,” Mom opened. “Where are you from?”

Sydney glanced at me, worried she didn’t have enough information for this interrogation. “The Midwest,” she vaguely recalled.

“Oh, which state?”

“Minnesota,” she quickly, but erroneously, clarified.

Mom looked confused. “Wow, you don’t sound like you have an accent.”

“Well, I’ve been around here for a while,” Sydney explained.

“Kaylee said you’re in school?”

“Yeah, I’m a music major. I’m graduating in the spring.”

“A music major?” she questioned. “What does a music major do?” 

“I’m… learning how to compose music,” Sydney explained. “It’s all about the notes and harmony.”

“That’s right,” I chimed in. “I got a chance to hear her final composition. It's gorgeous.” This reminds me that I should really show it to K. She might like that.

“That’s nice,” Mom replied, sounding a bit disinterested. 

I ripped the paper off my chopsticks and sat back down, then expertly grabbed a sushi piece with my chopsticks and flung it into my mouth.

“Kay, how’s your job going?” Mom asked.

I knew where this was headed, so I took a moment before responding, “It’s a job,” I said with a weak smile. “They don’t pay me enough.”

“Then maybe you need to be more serious about finding a better-paying job.”

“Well, when I turn 21, I’ll finally be able to serve alcohol, and then I expect the tips to start rolling in.”

“Do you really want to be a waitress for the rest of your life?” her voice dripping with derision.

“Of course not,” I replied with a smile. “You know I want to be a writer.”

If eye-rolls can kill, someone better call 9-1-1.

“Tough crowd,” I muttered, turning to my twin. “Hey sis - how are classes going?”

“They’re going well,” Alyssa replied. “Sydney, what’s your college like?”

“Oh, it’s gorgeous,” Sydney gushed. “Sydney took me - sorry - I mean I took Kaylee for a tour a couple weeks ago. I wish Kaylee could go to school there. I’ll bet there’s writing classes.”

“I know they have creative writing classes there,” I smiled. “Maybe I could sit in on one?”

“That would be awesome,” Sydney chimed in.

“I suppose,” Mom relented, “As long as it doesn’t cost us any money.”

Getting Kaylee into my university would be awesome. Even if just for one class. I wanted to suggest that I could apply for some financial aid, but I didn’t really know Kaylee’s family’s financial situation. Maybe they already looked into that. I decided to not continue this conversation without having more background information.

“So, tonight we’re going to Dockside," Alyssa announced, changing the subject. “The gang is looking forward to seeing you.”

“Oh, wow,” I said, faking enthusiasm. “Dockside. Gosh - I can’t even remember the last time I was there.” I noticed Sydney giggle. I took a deep breath and looked at my twin. 

She didn’t seem mean or anything. She looked like a more-assertive Kaylee. Now was that opportunity to stand up for myself.

“Hey, Aly,” I countered, using the familial nickname K directed me to use. “Can we go somewhere else tonight?”

She looked at me with a surprised expression. So did Sydney.

“You don’t like Dockside?” Alyssa asked.

“I do,” I replied. “It’s just that it’s loud. And I want to catch up with the gang. I want to be able to hear them.”

“Oh,” Alyssa said, nodding in agreement. “Of course, makes sense. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Yeah,” I replied. I turned to Sydney and asked, with a sly wink, “Wanna go to that place I was telling you about?”

Sydney smiled. “Yeah, I’d love to go to Howie’s.”

“Howie’s Hideaway?” Aylssa asked, taken aback. “That’s a dive bar.”

“Dive bars are the best,” I replied. “It’s quieter there.”

“Do they serve underage kids there?” Mom asked.

“Mom, please!” Alyssa whined.

Mom raised her hands. “Fine, I’ll stay out of it. As long as you girls make good decisions.”

“OK,” Alyssa conceded. “I can text the gang. Howie’s at 8 pm.”

“I’m so excited!” I exclaimed with a big smile.

Alyssa looked at me weird and Sydney mouthed, “Too much.”

I made a mental note to tone down my enthusiasm. I dunked a large wad of wasabi into my soy sauce and mixed it around with my chopsticks. After dunking my sushi in there, I popped it into my mouth. 

“Careful with—” Sydney whispered.

Too late. I could feel the tingling and tickling of my sinus. I couldn’t stop it and I wasn’t quick enough to grab a napkin. I sneezed and bits of chewed up rice and fish sprayed onto Alyssa’s face.

Alyssa looked mortified. I must’ve looked mortified too. 

“Oh my God,” I cried, jumping up from my chair. “I’m so sorry!”

That’s when Alyssa started giggling. The same giggle that I had gotten used to from Kaylee. The giggling was contagious and both Mom and Sydney started laughing.

I sat down in humiliation and offered my twin a new napkin.

“That was gross,” Alyssa said after her giggling stopped. “No more wasabi for you.”

“It was good,” I coughed. “I just used too much of it.”

* * *

“That was awesome!” Sydney exclaimed when we were finally alone again.

“Sneezing chewed up bits of sushi on your sister?” I asked. “That was not my finest moment.”

“Nah - that was funny. I mean getting her to change where we’re going tonight. It’s always a fight.”

“So what’s at Howies?"

“Karaoke,” she smirked. 

“Karaoke?” I echoed. “I thought we were going somewhere quieter?”

“It’s much quieter than Dockside. Trust me.”

“But I can’t sing.”

“You, as in Kaylee or Daniel?”

“I umm… Daniel.”

“Well, Daniel isn’t here right now, and I know for a fact that you - Kaylee - can sing.”

I considered that for a moment. Does muscle memory cover singing? I know it covers daily routines, dancing, playing football, playing an instrument, and sex. I see no reason why it wouldn’t cover singing too. But if Kaylee can sing, what can’t she do? “K, I’m feeling very inadequate,” I said, staring into her eyes. “I bring nothing to this relationship. You’re a writer, a singer, you’re beautiful…”

Sydney blushed. “D, you don’t give yourself enough credit. You have such a pure heart. You disarmed my sister like a pro.”

I shrugged.

Sydney lifted her bag and placed it on my bed. “So, let’s see what you packed me.” She unzipped the bag and it popped open, its contents overflowing. “This is like your whole closet.”

“Well, one of everything,” I explained. “I didn’t know what we’d be doing. Plus, I brought some extra stuff for you if you wanted it. Well, that was before we swapped. So, I guess now there’s extra stuff for me.”

“That was very thoughtful of you, D.”

“So, what do we do for the rest of the afternoon?”

“I was going to show you around town. Maybe we can play a yard game out back. Or maybe just relax on the couch watching TV. I don’t want to bore or disappoint you.”

“I won't be bored. Before you asked me to come, I was just going to hang around campus all weekend. But this? Being here with you and with your family? This is more than enough entertainment for me.”

“Well, whatever we’re doing, we should do it soon. My brother will be coming home shortly. Then my dad shortly after. Then dinner. Then Howie’s.”

* * *

As we were rummaging through the shed for backyard games, Alyssa pulled me aside and away from the shed and Sydney. “I couldn’t get anyone on board for Howies. So we’re still doing Dockside.”

“Oh,” I replied. This lets me off the hook from having to sing, but I know K really wanted to go to Howies.

“Why’d you do that?” she said with a disapproving scowl.

“Do what?”

“Why’d you make me try to change our plans? You knew for days that we were planning on Dockside for Thanksgiving Eve.”

“I… I just thought it would be nice to do something I wanted to do for a change.”

“I thought you were OK with Dockside. Are you trying to make me look bad in front of our friends?”

“No. Not at all.”

“It’s just that-” 

At that moment Sydney came out of the shed holding a frisbee.

“Just… nevermind,” Alyssa huffed, raising her hands in frustration and walking back to the house.

“What was that about?” Sydney asked me.

“We’re still going to Dockside.”

“What?” She was livid. “See. This always happens. We always do what she wants to do. Never what I want to do.”

“Sorry. I tried.”

“Whatever. Screw her.” She held up the frisbee. “Look what I found.”

“Frisbee. Cool.”

I really wanted to get to the bottom of what’s going on between the twins. At the moment it appeared that neither Alyssa nor K wanted to talk about it.

We wound up spending the afternoon staying at Kaylee’s parent’s house, playing frisbee in the backyard until Owen came home from school. Owen was maybe around thirteen, and like the rest of the family had strawberry-blonde hair and freckles.

I was waiting for K to introduce me when I remembered I was the sister. “Owen, this is my friend, Sydney,” I told him.

“Hi, Owen,” Sydney said with a smile and a little wave. “Nice to meet you.”

“Uh, hi, S-Sydney,” Owen stuttered while eyeing her up and down.

Owen turned red and whispered to me, “Your friend is cute.”

“I know,” I automatically replied without thinking about it.

He looked at me curiously, but let the comment go. 

I was surprised when he dropped his backpack and joined in on our game of frisbee. 

Owen kept stealing glances at Sydney and showing off his frisbee skills. If he only knew that was his sister inside that body.

“Can I play?” Alyssa asked, suddenly reappearing on the porch.

“Sure,” I replied. I was relieved that Alyssa had come back. I didn’t want to spend the whole holiday in the midst of a family feud.

After about five minutes of casually tossing the frisbee amongst the four of us, Alyssa had a suggestion. “Do you guys want to play a quick game of Ultimate?”

I shrugged. “Sounds cool.”

“What’s the teams?” Sydney asked.

“Teams?” Owen shouted. “Me and Sydney against the twins!”

Us three girls laughed.

“Owen, you know better than to challenge the Wonder Twins,” Alyssa warned. “How about Kaylee and Sydney versus me and Owen?” 

I turned to Sydney who nodded. 

“I’m game,” I said.

Owen looked deflated that he couldn’t be teammates with Sydney.

“Don’t worry, Owen,” Sydney pointed out, “that just means you have to cover me.”

“Our goals are the fences,” Alyssa directed, pointing towards each end of the yard.

We started playing the game. I realized right away that Alyssa was very competitive. For a noncontact sport, she certainly made plenty of contact as she prevented me from throwing the frisbee to Sydney. 

There was a brief moment when I made a perfect throw towards Sydney, only for it to be intercepted by Alyssa.

“That’s for making me try to change our plans,” she smirked.

Does that mean we’re even?

Sydney had a much easier time dealing with Owen, who was as tall as she was, but at least was letting her make her throws.

As Alyssa jumped up and down flailing her arms to block my pass, I couldn’t help but giggle.

“You want some of this?” she taunted me. “I’m the frisbee goddess!”

I remembered a football play from my time as Gabriel that might be of use. I faked throwing the frisbee to where Sydney wasn’t. Alyssa jumped at the fake, and I managed to throw it behind her into Sydney’s waiting arms.

Alyssa kicked the grass in frustration. “Owen, wake up!” she barked.

She scored the next goal by essentially running over me. All that did was remind me I wasn’t Gabriel.

Alyssa, to her credit, helped pull me up. “Too slow, sis!” she taunted.

As I scored the final goal, Mom opened the door and announced to us that Dad was home and dinner was ready.