Chapter 8: Twin Brothers' Angst
Because of how he had acted the other night, Phillipe was grounded until both Yves and I felt he could behave himself. That meant that after school he had to come straight home; no going over anyone elses house, after school jobs, or visits to the park.
And no girlfriend.
Of course that didn't mean that Geraldo or Jean couldn't visit other houses after school. Geraldo actually found himself a really sweet girlfriend.
He had met her in class, and gone over to visit one day.
He had then invited her over to our house one day, and the two had quickly became a couple. She would become a regular visitor soon after, and I had a feeling she would be a future daughter in law.
It seemed that Jean was also very busy. When he wasn't fishing, or doing homework, he would also visit friends after school. He confided in me that there was one girl he really liked. The two had become best friends over the years, and he had finally gotten the courage to ask her out and she had agreed.
While there he saw his Aunt Frenchie. Seems she had decided to live up to her name, and started wearing nothing but French fashions.
Yes, you see right. It seems that Jean didn't realize that Girl (I won't dare say her name) was also seeing his twin brother. She had been over the house, but had never really gone inside before, so Jean was clueless. That girl didn't feel it necessary to enlighten him on the matter either.
When Jean had started flirting with her, she had never turned away his advances. In fact, she had seemed rather enthusiastic.
While poor Phillipe was stuck home doing homework, and chores, Jean was wooing the little town tramp. Forgive my language, but I get so angry thinking about how she played my boys.
"Every girl fantasizes about twins!" Was her only defense. Tramp.
Well, it was bound to catch up to her one day. Jean invited her over after school, without Phillipe knowing any better. He had gone up to his girlfriend, and quickly pulled her into an embrace.
She didn't even try to fight it when Jean then did the same. Since Jean was unaware of the relationship, he did it in front of Philippe. Even Geraldo was shocked. Seems he only knew that she was dating Phillipe, but not Jean too.
The boys then confronted her together once they realized what a fool she had been playing them for.
Phillipe broke up with her and threw her out of the house.
He then lashed out at Jean. "I told you I was dating her!"
"No you didn't! You just said you had a girlfriend, never who!"
The next few days were very tense. The boys would snip at each other constantly, causing Yves massive amount of stress.
It was then that Jules stepped in. I found myself appreciating him on a whole new level after he fixed the problem.
He insisted the two boys visit France with him before they became young adults.
It was obvious that the long plane trip had done nothing to repair the damage in their relationship.
Jules pulled each boy aside to discuss the importance of family. He explained how he had hated me at first for taking his brother away from him, but over the years had changed his mind.
Jules saw how much we loved each other, and he quickly decided that if he wanted to be near his brother, he would have to change his life. And so he had settled in Sunset Valley as well.
It took a bit of convincing on Phillipe's part, he was really hurt by the betrayel.
But he was finally able to get the two boys to talk it over, Jules acting as a neutral third party. And the two were best friends again. Phillipe finally recognized that his brother had not really known, and Jean asked for forgiveness for hurting his brother this way.
"I would never have gone there if I had known!"
Phillipe then went off to explore the country.
He would later share with me how he visited the ancesteral Landgraab estate in France. I never even realized it was there, or I would have gone when I was there all those years ago.
It seems the old man had a thing for traps and puzzles though, and Phillipe shared he wanted to go back and explore the old mansion more later.
He did get a bit of a shock by a trap, but he was none worse for the wear.
Jean and Jules went to the local nectory, and tasted all that France had to offer. Jules picked up a rack for the wines they bought, and a press so the family could start to make their own blends later on.
While they were gone, Yves reached his Lifetime Wish to be a Hit Movie Composer.
I also became a Rock Legend. I promptly retired, being too old for this game anymore.
And because poor Jules was always so tired after his long shifts at the hospital, Geraldo began to work in the garden during his spare time.
Betcha wondering why Yves is cooking at he grill?
Or why I'm dancing outside to my new radio system?
Yes, it's that time. My boys were about to become men!
First up was Phillipe, all of my siblings and their families cheering in the background.
He grew up to look almost identical to Yves.
And then next went Jean.
He grew up very handsome too, but so different then his brother.
Jean went straight to the pond to fish.
And Phillipe to the chess table.
And Geraldo started spending more time with his uncle Jules. After much discussion, he confided in me that he didn't want to be heir When he reached adulthood, he wanted nothing more then to move in with his girlfriend, and to have a family of his own with no pressures.
Later that evening, Yves and I stayed up late talking. Talking about our pasts, the present, and the future. Which one of my boys, both now such handsome men, would be the one to inherit our growing fortune?
If Daddy were around today, what would he say?
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And so once again, it is up to you readers! Who will be heir?
Either state in comments who you want, or go: here
Prologue Part 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/
Chapter 1/ 2 / 3/ 4 / 5 / 6/ 7