Doppelgänger by Emmie Kay Lang
Microblog
At a wine tasting event I see Nancy, a woman I have recently met through my golf league, across the room. On my way over to say "Hi,” I notice the tall, handsome, blonde man in a blue golf shirt talking to her. I can’t believe my eyes, my heart skips a beat.
“It just can’t be him,” I say to myself. “There is no possible way.”
I remember the love of my life from almost 50 years ago. Nancy sees me heading over and waves. She walks towards me bringing my old boyfriend back to me.
We greet and she introduces her HUSBAND (no way!) to me as Bill. I have to keep my mouth shut as I want to say no, his name is Toby, not Bill.
We chat for a few minutes and I hope that she doesn’t notice that I am ignoring her and staring at not-Bill-but-Toby. A million questions zoom through my brain. Why did he change his name? Is he in the Witness Protection Program? And most importantly, does he remember me? Does he miss me? Does he still think I’m hot?
A few weeks later, by the grace of God, we are paired together in a Couples Golf Tournament. Again, I am lusting after this Toby-not-Bill man. I find myself bumbling words and tripping over my putter as both my husband and my new friend are eyeing me with suspicion. It’s becoming obvious that something is not quite right so I decide to ‘fess up to Nancy
“Sorry, I am lusting after your husband. It's just that he reminds me so much of a boyfriend from my past.”
Nancy laughs and immediately shares the information with Bill. He realizes that this is an opportunity to have a great time together and joins in the fun.
The four of us have become the best of friends. Whenever we are together, Bill and I make sure to embrace each other warmly and laugh a little louder than “just friends” do. Our spouses go along with it. Nancy even introduces me to their friends as Bill’s “girlfriend.” Together, Bill and I engage in story telling about our special times together 50 years ago. We’ve come up with some of the best tales, one could only wish they were true. We have convinced many people throughout the years that we are long lost lovers from our youth.
Recently, I came across a photo of Toby and myself at a high school dance. I shared it with Bill-not-Toby and he and Nancy were amazed at the resemblance. Maybe there is something to this “brother from another mother” thing.
