I Saw My Twin Today

I saw my twin at the grocery store today. I almost said something. I thought perhaps the salespeople might get us confused and the authorities should be alerted.

This has happened before.

Do you ever look across a room at a total stranger and think you are looking at yourself? Similarly to de ja vu there is a distinct reason things like this happen, mis-firings of neurons and such…I would explain it…but I don’t have time to check wikipedia.

There she was. Medium brown shoulder length hair, curled today (like me you could tell it was wavy and could be worn straight), determined tromping up and down the vegetable aisle with an important if not sour look on her face. Not heavy, but bottom heavy, moved easily, maybe even gracefully in heels and a dress.

Was she hunting for the herbs to make tuna marchand de vin for her husband after a hard day like I was? Did she come to Hollywood Market because of the coupon flier proclaiming Sweet Mangoes 4 for $5!?

Is that what I look like? It must be, the scene is eerily familiar. I felt like a polar bear seeing its image in a mirror for the first time. (You won’t be disappointed in that link, seriously, it’s f-ing cute.)

But my twin - she looks hurried, unsettled, searching – and not just for vegetables.

I see her a few more times as I make my rounds. Trying to differentiate myself by walking more slowly and trying to be pleasant, also keeping my wedding ring in plain view of the single men buying wine or protein shakes and hot dogs.

I see her leaving the store, walking fast, clutching toilet paper, grimacing against the wind and Michigan drear.

Does she live near me? Does she sing? Is she happy?