Mirror Visions

By Bernd Haeckel

"If you lost your mirror image, what is left of you?"
The twins John and Jennifer Webster look absolutely identical - so that John often is confused for a girl, no matter where. So Jennifer gets the idea to exchange roles with him. But then a disaster happens while both are in exchanged roles, and John is forced to live as a girl, under the name Jona.
But why does Jona see "her" allegedly dead twin sister in the mirror from time to time? Are these visions just imagination of a troubled mind, or is there more to them?
Will Jona ever return to her old male self again? How does she cope with her situation? Is Jennifer really dead? These and other questions are answered in this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bernd Haeckel
• Release date: Sep 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463769713

Bernd Haeckel

Born in '68, I grew up in the former GDR, in a village near Halle (Saale). After working in different branches, partly as a temp worker, I found my new home in Darmstadt, Hesse. I'm early retired, but I sometimes earn a side income as an interpreter (German/English), and as a tutor.

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Bernd Häckel

Mirror Visions

Smashbooks Edition

Copyright 2018 Bernd Häckel

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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John and Jennifer

John was used to being confused for a girl, even though it regularly rankled him. It happened every time, no matter where. Even in the high school, on this October day, things weren't different.

Hey, Miss!, the soccer coach Mr. Smith stopped the long-haired teenager who just was about to enter the boys’ locker room. The girls’ locker room is next door!

The student protested: Why 'do you call me ‘miss’? You know me, Coach, I'm John Webster, and I'm going to have practice with you in a couple minutes!

Annoyedly, the coach fumed: If you think that you can fool me, Jennifer…

You called me, Coach? A voice came from the girls' locker room next door. It sounded exactly like the voice of the teenager in front of him.

Smith looked up. It was a cheerleader who was just leaving the girls’ locker room and looked at him questioningly. And she looked like an exact copy of the alleged boy in front of him. Same face, same size, same body frame, except that her long hair was braided to piggy tails, and she wore the school's cheerleader uniform.

Smith stopped mid-sentence, looked again to the cheerleader in disbelief, then he shook his head, murmuring. Not again! I'm going to need glasses. He turned away and went towards the school's entrance, still shaking his head. These Websters, how do they always manage to get away with that…

John didn't have to turn around to know that his twin sister Jennifer once again saved the situation. And right, he already felt her hand on his shoulders, heard her voice just beside of him. "What was that about?"

He sighed. "What do you think? I only was confused for you. Again."

Aw bugger, Jennifer replied, also sighing. We simply look too much alike.

It wasn't different during soccer practice. The usual suspects as always couldn't stop teasing John because of his similarity with his sister. But this, he could take in stride. It wasn't for nothing that he was awarded as best front forward of his age group last school year. Not for nothing that he was suggested a sports stipend (which his parents declined though because it would have been unfair to his sister who was just as sporty as him, and because they could afford to pay the tuition for both of them anyways). He knew that these loudmouths couldn't hold a candle to him, so they tried to bother him otherwise.

After a shower, John still fought with the zipper of his backpack when he saw his sister through the open locker room door, passing by. She had her hair let down, like always after the shower. Just a moment later he heard Tommy Gardener, the goalkeeper of his soccer team, outside on the floor. Hey Webster, put your hair together! You're looking like your sister that way!

Not again!, John murmured, facepalming. Then he yelled in the direction of the door: "That is my sister, you moron!"

Both twins sighed and shook their heads when Thomas replied: Hey sorry, no harm meant. The two of you do look damn alike though!

~ ~ ~

The Websters' house stood lonely a half mile out of Hoyt, a small town in Kansas. Partly shadowed by big trees, it resembled a small barn when seen from afar. In the deliberately simple-looking facade, even the wide gate of the double garage didn't catch the eye at first. Only when coming closer, one could see the old-fashioned mailbox and the gravel path between flowers leading to a big patio at the entrance of the house. And then one realized that this building was much bigger than it seemed to be from afar. Though the Websters were pretty wealthy, they didn't want to show it off.

On the big ground behind the house, both John and Jennifer played volleyball against their father. All three of them had long dark brown hair, bound together in the neck of their heads as ponytails, even though the ponytails of the children were longer than the one of their father.

Mike Webster, the father of the twins, enjoyed playing with his kids, even though he wasn't sure at the moment who of them was who. He didn't care though. There was barely a day without overtime during the last project he had worked on during the last months, so he even had begun to miss his family. And because his wife Mary had to manage the household by herself ever so often, he had given her a thank-you gift: a voucher for a make-over in one of the most luxurious beauty salons in nearby Topeka. Just an hour ago, she had left the Institute where she was working, heading to the salon. Mike and the twins looked forward to seeing her freshly made look. To shorten the waiting time they had started this ball game.

Mike really had fun playing basketball with the kids. Even though he was a half-blood, the twins were more agile than him. Even though they were almost two heads smaller than him, their athleticism worked around this disadvantage. And they let their father work for his points. He decided for himself to play with them more often. It was a great work-out and much more fun than a couple rounds of Squash with his colleagues.

Just as he got the ball in his hands again, his cell-phone rang.

Damned, now of all times!, Mike cursed, stopped and pulled the annoying item out of his pocket.

Webster. He passed the ball to one of his twins.

During this call, his face became gloomy, and he turned away from the children. He didn't want them to see his change of mood and start asking questions. Finally, he said in a strained voice: Thank you. I'm coming.

He put the cell-phone away, took a deep breath and forced a smile in his face. Then he turned to his children again. I have to run, an emergency. See you later then, and don't do anything silly.

And he left them, running. Only a few moments later, the garage door of the house opened, a black Ford Explorer came out and rushed towards Hoyt.

Dad and his laboratory, one of the twins sighed. As if it was his second family.

Right, the other one replied. But Mom isn't any better on some days.

Yeah. Anyway, let's go inside. Maybe there's something good on the TV.

Jennifer groaned but followed her twin brother to the house. After all, watching TV was better than playing ball alone.

Inside the house, the foyer, living room, kitchen and dining area merged into one central unit, so that one almost entered the living room when stepping through the main entrance.

The first one wins...!, John yelled as the twins were in the house. They partly ran, partly slipped on their socks to the refrigerator and touched its door at the same time. Both of them got a chocolate milkshake out of it, and while Jennifer filled more ice in her cup, John managed to jump over the backrest of the huge couch without slipping a drop. I won!, he triumphed.

And shower? Jennifer raised an eyebrow like their mom used to do.

Later, John moaned and switched the TV on. Just in time, because their favorite show was beginning. Even Jennifer forgot how sweaty she was. So both of them watched as the three teenage heroines in this oldish TV show transformed again into mermaids in the most inconvenient situations, and still managed to keep it a secret from all the others.

During an ad break, Jennifer sat up, saying,  I wonder how Mom will look like when she's back from the beauty salon.

Dunno, more beautiful, and more relaxed? John shrugged, stood up and went to the refrigerator to refill his cup.

Jennifer followed him. Oh, Johnny, you're such a dope. If you were a girl you would understand.

John grumbled. Too many people think already that I am a girl. Even Grandma! Those idiots, can't they see that I'm a boy? He threw the refrigerator door shut and growled because it didn't bang like with a wooden door.

Oh Johnny, I fear that won't change. Jennifer hugged her brother.

I know right? Sighing, Johnny let her hug him. Everyday I'm either confused for you, or they think I’m your sister. Even today. First by the coach who didn't let me enter the locker room until you came out to the hall, then by Tommy, then by your cheerleading coach talked to me about some of your routines, and at lunch break, even Sally asked me which dress to wear next Saturday at dance school!

Jennifer giggled. Yeah right, she told me later. And she was so embarrassed! Unfortunately, we do look alike.

Yeah, unfortunately. And I'm tired of looking like you!

Oh shut up already, Jennifer said and headed to the couch.

John was taken aback. What?

Well, the ads are over, you dope!

~ ~ ~

On the way to the hospital, Mike had to witness that what was told him on the phone was indeed the sad truth. On the road between Hoyt and Topeka, a tow truck he passed by was towing a heavily damaged car whose type was extremely rare in the entire county, and in this color only could be his wife's.

Seeing that, Mike became more worried than he already was and rushed to the hospital.

Arriving there, he ran to the entrance as fast as he could. Gasping for air, he introduced himself to the receptionist at the emergency ward, and said: Dr. Miller called me, saying that my wife was brought here.

Which Dr. Miller, Sir?, the woman behind the desk asked. There's currently three of them who work here.

Mike breathed in heavily. Doctor Emily Miller, he said, slowly losing his patience.

Oh the substitute from the pediatry, the receptionist said. She should be here in a minute.

And really, a woman in a green lab coat came running out of the ward. There you are, Mike, she gasped when she arrived at him. I saw your car outside.

Without further ado, she took him by the hand and began to run back. Hurry up, she's on the way to the OP!

Mike followed her without hesitation.

~ ~ ~

When the episode finished and the children reached a News channel by switching around, Jennifer jumped up. What? That late already? Move on, we have to take a shower, and then we still have to prepare the table. She wondered and became worried. Strange that Alex isn't here yet. Dad must have forgotten to call her. Alex was their current babysitter.

Luck for us, you mean. As if we still need a babysitter. I'd rather have Aunt Emily or Aunt Myra come over.

Or both, Jennifer replied laughing as she went to her room.

The twins shared a bathroom that was behind a vestibule which divided the children's bedrooms from each other and the central unit. And it could only be accessed via their rooms.

Showered and changed into fresh clothes, the twins prepared a dinner as good as they could with their ten years and put the plates on the table.

But no-one came. Not even Alex.

Where are they?, Jennifer wondered as she put the almost untouched meals away. John worried as well.

Suddenly the entrance door opened, and their father dragged himself inside, deeply sad.

Just behind him, a blond woman of the same age entered the house. Her wide-cut, pullover- like mini dress contrasted the gleaming skintight catsuit underneath which accentuated her slim body. Her smeared makeup showed that she had cried.

Dad, Aunt Emily, what's the matter?, Jennifer asked.

And where's Mom?, John inquired.

Emily went to the children and hugged them tightly. Your Mom, she said in a strained voice, had a very heavy accident. We just returned from the hospital. The doctors did all they could do, but her injuries were too bad. They couldn't save her anymore.

The children broke free from the embrace and clenched their fists in a mixture of pain and powerless despair. Blind of tears they yelled and cried at the same time: That's not true! Say that it's not true! Say that Mom will arrive any minute!!

No answer.

Powerless, the twins sank to the floor. ‘No! This can't be! Mom can't just so... She just can't be dead!’ They sobbed heavily, as they cried on each other's shoulder.

It is true, their father said with tears in his eyes. He knelt down and stroked the twins' heads. They really tried everything, but…

It couldn't console anyone of them.

~ ~ ~

Three weeks later, on a gloomy rainy day at the end of spring break, Mary Webster, mother of the twins, was buried just beside the grave of her parents on the Topeka Cemetery.

The twins were the only children on this funeral, which was almost as painful for them as the reason why they were here.

Even though the Websters hadn't visited his church often, Pastor Sorenson was a close friend of the family and an always welcome guest. And thus this funeral hurt him as well. As the almost white-haired pastor started the funeral speech, the twins cuddled closer to their dad.

The attention of the children was broken when they overheard two of the mourners, much to their own horror. Is it known already who manipulated the brakes of her car? - Haven't you read the newspaper yet? They finally arrested the guy.

‘Manipulated brakes? So mom was killed? But why...?’ Totally distraught, the twins clung closer to their Dad.

Emily and her partner Myra who surrounded Mike and the twins felt the distraction of the twins. They put their hands on the kid's shoulders to console them. They turned their heads to the offenders and gave them looks that would have immediately had caused two more burials if only looks could kill.

The Websters, but also Emily and Myra as well, were relieved when the agonizing funeral with its partly feigned condolences was finally over and they could try to return to what was left of normal life. Of course, the death of Mary created a hole in the family that just couldn't be filled.

~ ~ ~

During the following six months, Emily and Myra tried their best while taking care of their pediatrician office, to spent time with their god-children. Mary had been a cousin of Emily after all, and they had felt as close as sisters.

But finally, even Emily had enough. She just couldn't close the office before time, or ignore house-calls – and she and Myra also wanted to have at least some private life.

But she knew that Mike was still like thrown off his trails, and the twins were not better off. That was also the main reason why it had become more difficult to find a babysitter for them. But it just couldn't be that this family let themselves go so much in their mourn: this Webster household definitely lacked a female touch.

At one evening, Emily told Mike so. Mike, you're the brother I've never had, and I really like you... But your household lacks a woman. The kids need someone who is like a mother to them, and you also need someone at your side. And I have so much to do in the office, I can't give you and the kids what you really need. I will still support you as much as my time allows but I can not and will not neglect my office nor Myra.

Although Mike knew she was right, it took him quite some time before he even allowed himself to think about it. But then, one day, he brought Clara with him and introduced her to the family as his new lady-friend.

That it was Clara, out of all women, who he brought into his house, and that he even spoke of marriage, was a thing Emily didn't like at all. It was matching just too well that this person, who on top of it all also was a cousin of Mary and her, has been a colleague of Mike for quite some time. Emily was convinced that Clara only landed at him because she used his mourning to twist his head…

But life had to go on. Emily hardly could cut this family dead just because this person belonged to them now...

The Test of Courage

Just look at this YouTube link, was the text of an e-mail John was just opening when Jennifer entered his room. He clicked on the link which led to a video. It was a slide show of pictures of twin pairs, with cover versions of the songs Androgynous and I'll Be You by The Replacements as background music.

Jennifer leaned against the mirror between the room door and the sliding door to the connected bathroom and watched her brother.

He sat cross-legged on his chair, with his back to her. Apart from his pony-tail which unlike hers was simply bound together at his neck, he looked just like his sister. Especially now, because both of them were wearing Jeans and sweaters of the same brand, color and quality.

But even from behind she could see that watching the video made her brother feel uneasy – and even more so with these titles in the background.

So what do you think? , she asked with a grin, louder than the music.

He shook his head and shut the browser window, then he turned around with his chair. What you're hinting at here, is the craziest idea you ever had, he said. And that's saying something.

And indeed this was saying something, because of all pranks and practical jokes by the twins, the most unusual ones often had been Jennifer's ideas.

Jennifer shrugged, the ponytail on top of her head bobbing about. Why? she asked with studied innocence. Even you know that we look the same when our hair is let-down. Not even Dad is able to work out who of us is who. And Clara, okay, Mom, she