SVK #50 - Steven's Twin
In which we find out that being a twin > not being a twin.
Oh wait, does this description not just pertain to this book alone?
The cover is ridiculous and not a scene from the book. The "Steven" on the right is obviously a cardboard cutout, and it looks like the twin next to him is one too, even though I don't think she's supposed to be. And all of them are wayyy too orange.
We open with the Wakefields eating lunch. The ghostwriter describes, Elizabeth and Jessica each picked up a sandwich at the same time and took a bite in the same way. They did may things exactly alike, because they weren’t just twins, they were identical twins. And here I thought being identical twins meant you just looked alike, not that you acted alike! Then again, they do do many of the same things, like stealing boyfriends and cheating on boyfriends and…
Moving on. After lunch, the family goes to Casey’s for Ice Cream. Apparently the shop is introducing a new sundae called the Twin Sundae (of course) and advertised that all identical twins could come in that afternoon for a free sundae. The sundae is: four scoops of two different types of ice cream, chocolate syrup with peanut-butter swirl, pineapple sauce, sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a cherry on top. Liz and Jess make fun of Steven for not being a twin (apparently it’s his fault?) and how he won’t be getting a free sundae. Steven says he’ll find a way to get a free sundae somehow…
Ned and Alice drop the kids off at Casey’s and say they’ll be back later. In the world of Sweet Valley parenting, it’s apparently a good idea to leave elementary school kids alone at an ice cream shop. I bet the manager loves it.
Liz and Jess admire all the other identical twins in the shop and get their free sundae. At the table, Steven decides he will pretend to have an identical twin so he can get a free sundae too. Liz and Jess agree to help, so long as Steven splits his extra sundae with them. Liz and Steven go to the front and Steven says his twin, Bob (his best friend’s name), is outside and that he wants his free sundae. The manager is apparently that dumb and gives him a sundae. After eating it, Steven takes off his plaid shirt (he’s wearing a shirt underneath!) and puts on a baseball cap to become "Bob". He goes inside to present himself to the manager, who says that if he didn’t know better, he’d say there was only one of Steven/Bob. Steven-as-Bob says that everyone says he looks a lot like Steven. The manager says that he’d probably being foolish because twins are supposed to look alike. Steven-as-Bob gets a free sundae.
Jessica, who’s at the counter with Steven, starts talking about how crazy it is with two pairs of identical twins in the family. A woman overhears this and follows them to their table. She introduces herself as Andrea Loomis, a reporter for the Sweet Valley News who’s covering the Twin Sundae special. She wants to write a report on their family for having two sets of identical twins in it. Steven and Liz say no, but Jessica is thrilled and immediately gives the reporter their last name and address. Stranger danger! This is why leaving seven year olds by themselves is a bad idea.
After Ms. Loomis leaves, Liz and Steve get mad at Jess, who suddenly realizes that there’s no “Bob” to take a family portrait with! Liz says they’ll just have to call reporter and say the story’s off. Steve and Jess object. Steven thinks canceling it would make their parents find out and they’d make him apologize to everyone; Jess just wants her picture in the paper. Jess says she’ll figure out something.
On the car ride home, the kids tell their parents that a reporter is writing a story about twins at the ice cream shop and picked them to be featured, so she’ll be coming over to their house at some point. Later, when they’re alone, Steven says his plan is to just change the subject anytime the reporter asks about Bob. Like an idiot, he thinks that if they don’t mention anything about two sets of twins, maybe she won’t either. Jessica is the voice of reason (!!) and says she doubts it, considering that two sets of twins is the reason she’s coming over. So Steven suggests they just all talk at once. Liz thinks it might work. Really, Liz?!?
Ms. Loomis arrives the next day. Jess and Steven are outside; Steven says he’s Bob and then races inside to change into clothes to be "Steven". Ms. Loomis mentions that the photographer couldn’t make it; Jess can’t decide if she’s relieved or disappointed.
The reporter goes inside to meet their parents. She says she met Bob outside already and Mrs. Wakefield says she didn’t know Bob was there. Jess and Liz try to change the subject every time Bob’s name is brought up. At one point, Mr. Wakefield mentions that it sometimes seems like Bob lives with them. Ms. Loomis says, “Doesn’t he?” and Ned answers, “Of course not.” The reporter is rightfully shocked. She goes on to ask about family trips, and Ned and Alice say their three kids go along. When Ms. Loomis asks if Bob goes with them, Ned says that while Bob’s a nice boy and they sometimes invite him along to keep Steven company, they don’t always include him in family activities. Ms. Loomis is shocked!
Liz thinks the reporter must believe their family is either crazy or cruel and tells Jess that they need to tell the truth. Jess disagrees and says their ruse is working!
Ms. Loomis wants to take a family portrait, so she pulls out a camera and has everyone go outside. She asks Jessica to go find her other brother, which finally tips Ned and Alice off enough for them to realize something’s up. The kids all start sputtering explanations… and just then, the real Bob rides up on his bike! Ms. Loomis realizes there are not two sets of identical Wakefield twins. She says she no longer has a story for the paper but she does have a great story to tell her friends.