May 12, 1984

Growing up, the Caldwell twins had two rules to live by on the weekends.  Don’t come home before dusk and be home by dusk. They gauged their day’s freedom by the completion of their chores and the inevitable yellow glow of the street lamps.

As was typical for a Saturday morning, Luke poked his head through his sister’s closed bedroom door. On that particular day, he sang out, “I get up, and nothing gets me down. You’ve got it tough. I’ve seen the toughest around.”

Even with her head under the pillow and her eyes closed, Reese knew he had a silver metal grin on his face and a baseball bat over one shoulder. She flung the pillow in his direction.

“You missed, Sis. I’ll be at the field if you ever get your chores done. But don’t expect to play with that arm. You suck.”

“Mom!” Reese yelled in protest. As usual, no response from their mom, but the threat of getting into trouble sent Luke on his merry way. Always disciplined with his Saturday responsibilities meant he was heading to the neighborhood park to meet up with the boys.

The back screen door slapped close.

“Don’t slam the door!” Mom yelled from her bedroom at the end of the hall, where she was likely folding laundry.

Reese pried her eyes opened to stare longingly at her pillow on the floor, a good two feet away from where Luke had stood, taunting awake his younger sister, who was born a short four and half minutes after him. He was right. She had bad aim.

The alarm clock glowed 8:15. “What the hell?” She mumbled. He must have gotten up at six to get his chores done. Reese planned to meet her best friend, Heather, at eleven on the Rivercreek Bridge. If she fell back to sleep, she’d probably not wake until noon. She threw off the covers and groggily headed for the shower.

By late morning, the day was sunny and warm and Reese realized as she dangled her feet over the bridge next to Heather, she should thank her idiot brother for waking her early. It was as glorious as any summer day. Heather cranked the volume on her battery operated radio and the girls listened to the top 40 countdown. They ate the PB & J sandwiches Reese had made and threw rocks into the lazy creek below. They rolled their jeans to their knees and their sleeves to their shoulders. They debated who was better looking, Simon LeBlanc or Sting. They soaked the day’s sunrays and whispered about the pregnant high school girl. They picked old nail polish from their fingertips and at Heather’s request, headed for the drugstore downtown to find a new color.  All and all it was shaping into a fabulous Saturday – free from governing parents or teachers.

Shortly into the walk, Heather said, “Can we go by the field?” She couldn’t hide the blush or the giddy grin spreading her lips to reveal perfect teeth. She was crushing on Luke. The fact put Reese in an uncomfortable position. She knew her twin well enough to know he avoided Heather. She figured it was because Reese and Heather had been best friends since first grade and didn’t want to cause trouble between them.

“Sure,” Reese moaned. Besides Luke’s disinterest, she hated how stupid Heather acted in front of him. Normally Heather was self-assured and someone Reese wanted to be more like. Why couldn’t Heather set her sights on another boy? Just about every other boy in middle school and some high schoolers would trip over their own feet trying to get to her. She was a knock out even if she was only twelve, almost thirteen. She looked older by at least two years and didn’t have to stuff a bra in order to wear one. Her hair was always bouncy and thick like she was an actress doing a shampoo commercial. She even wore lip gloss and eyeliner. Reese’s mom wouldn’t let her spend her own allowance on makeup much less wear it.  Reese didn’t mind that Heather got so much attention, mostly because she was a good friend. She didn’t ditch Reese to the side every time some cute boy butted into their conversations. And Reese could hold her own, although her mom said she would be a lot prettier if she just lost the attitude and boyish manners. Apparently there was nothing attractive about that combination of attributes.

“There he is,” Heather giggled into her hands. Reese sensed Luke rolling his eyes when she waved at him. “Hey, Luke,” she called as the girls approached the green field. He stared in their direction but made no gesture of acknowledgement.

“Hey, Heather!” Wayne, the tallest and cutest boy in sixth grade said as they passed him. “You want to play?”

Like a true movie star, Heather stopped sashaying toward Luke and with hands on her hips, and a sultry pout on her lips, she answered, “Do I look like I play baseball, Wayne? But I’ll let you buy me an ice cream at Two Scoops.”

Wayne threw his glove towards the bench and ran toward the pair. “Sure.” He eased his fingers through his shoulder length sandy hair and Reese had to focus so she wouldn’t swoon. He had no idea what kind of torture he made her endure. “Is that where you’re going?” His killer smile, meant for Heather, made Reese quiver.

Heather glanced over at Luke, handing out her own killer smile. He looked at her and then to Wayne. Luke smirked with amusement. Reese felt badly for Heather, but not so badly she would do anything about it. She wasn’t keen on the idea of the two being an item.

“Only if you come with us,” She said to Wayne while watching Luke. Reese noticed her hands tremble but held her tongue. She knew Heather would want her to convince Luke to join them, but she was getting annoyed. Heather had the attention of Wayne. That should be enough. Besides, Reese didn’t want to share her brother or force him to do something against his will.

 Luke shook his head, dismissing the interruption. Reese saw Heather’s killer smile slip just a smidge, but she quickly rebounded. She laced an arm through one of Wayne’s. Other kids joined them and the small entourage resumed the trek into town.

Reese looked back at Luke as he threw a ball into the air and swung, sailing it beyond the fence. She felt an overwhelming urge to give him a hug. She was overcome with sadness, indescribable sadness. She was transfixed and watched him chase after the ball like she had a million times before. But she sensed a haze of fear brush her skin. She had a horrible feeling she would never see him do it again.

“Come on, slow poke!” Heather called, snapping Reese’s attention out of the dark place.

“Yea, come on, Reese,” Wayne said, putting his free arm out for her. Reese’s world lit up with sheer ecstasy as the most gorgeous boy in school acknowledged her existence.  She glanced back toward her twin. He was gone over the fence and out of view. She ran to catch up to Heather, the girl who would unknowingly forever change her life

That evening as Reese set the table, she discussed Mother’s Day plans with her mom. Mrs. Caldwell wanted a picnic at the Arboretum, after church, of course. Reese’s father groaned from the living room. It was his only day off and church was not his idea of leisure. Reese’s mother brought the tuna casserole to the table and looked out the window. It was dark.

“Where’s your brother? He should be home by now,” she said.

Reese followed her gaze to the blackened window, and suddenly she knew Luke was never coming home.