Analogous

Chapter-1

Anthony, my twin brother, was dead.

I had just taken off my shoes, having been home after a long day at the station. Resting them on the low coffee table in front of me felt blissful. I groaned as I let my head fall back on the couch. And then my phone rang.

I picked it up lazily and frowned. An unknown, out-of-state number. That couldn't be a telemarketer.

"Hello?"

"This is Doctor Jackson, from the Holy Cross Hospital, Chicago. Am I speaking to Edward Masen?"

I sat up straight, heart rate spiking in anticipation of bad news. Why else would there be a call from a hospital? And my brother was posted in Chicago.

"Yes." My voice came out a little hoarse.

"I am sorry Mr Masen, but your brother Anthony Masen was brought in in critical condition this afternoon. He had had a serious accident with a truck. I am sorry we could not save him." His tone was compassionate.

I felt as if my heart had become ten times heavier and was sinking slowly.

"Mr Masen?"

I cleared my throat and swallowed hard.

"Yes—yes, I am here."

"You were listed as the next of kin. Would you be able to come here and receive the body?"

No, I wanted to say, I want to receive my brother—alive. We had plans for Christmas, for God's sake.

"Yes, I will have to see about flights though…"

'That's all right. Call me on this number when you know for sure, okay?"

"Okay."

-/-/-/-

The first thing I did was to call my aunt.

"Aunt Esme?"

"Edward, what happened? What is the matter?"

And I thought I was being calm and collected. Not enough, evidently.

"It is Anthony. I just got a call from the Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago. He was in an accident and…" I took a much-needed breath. "…he didn't make it." My voice broke down in sobs.

"Oh you poor child, that's terrible. Are you going to Chicago?"

"Yes, I am the next of kin, so…"

"I will come with you."

I didn't even pretend that I didn't want her to be inconvenienced. I knew I could not do it alone.

"Thank you, Aunt Esme. I suppose I should book which ever flight is available."

"Yes." She paused, probably lost in thought. "Did you speak to his girlfriend? Poor girl must be devastated."

"Girlfriend?" My brain wasn't functioning too well, I guess.

"Don't you remember? He mentioned her last month or so. Pretty name too...Isabella, I think."

I shook my head. "Maybe. I don't remember, really."

Esme sighed. "That's okay. I don't even know why…anyway, I will let Carlisle know. He is still at the hospital, covering for Doctor Gerandy. Let me know about the flight, okay?"

"Sure. I will let you know as soon as I book the tickets. Bye."

"Bye, Edward. Take care."

And so it was that I found myself in Chicago with Esme the next afternoon. We had taken an early morning flight, Esme having spent the night at my place. Carlisle had wanted to drive her, but she had firmly refused, knowing how tired he must be. I was glad to have her company, but I still slept badly, my sleep plagued by half-forgotten childhood memories and cars flipping over on icy roads. Our parents had died in a road accident too. Maybe our family was cursed.