Fraternal twins are raised by an ambivalent aunt who provides an unusual childhood experience. One twin leaves home to join the armed forces and is ultimately assigned to a special forces unit conducting clandestine operations in North Korea. The death of one his unit members produces an introduction to an organized crime family specializing in murder for hire. The funeral for the family's son and an interest in their daughter brings new blood and methods to the family business.
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”WELL, ISN’T THIS INTERESTING, boys and girls. We have twins in our first-grade class. Why don’t you tell us your names?” The teacher spoke in a high, lilting voice intended to engage and flatter small children.
“My name is Logan Kim Bell. This is my sister, Kim Logan Bell,” the small boy made the announcement exactly as he’d been coached by his Aunt Dawn.
“Isn’t that the cutest thing. Twins with reversed first and middle names!”
Logan wasn’t at all certain what “reversed first and middle names” meant exactly. He performed his part as rehearsed. Dawn insisted he must look out for his sister, Kim. She was the shy one, and always reacted to stressful situations with tears. It was Logan’s job to do the first-day introductions.
Technically, Logan was the younger brother and Kim the older sister. Dawn believed it was the older sibling’s duty to care for the younger child. In this situation, that was impossible. Kim was simply unable to demonstrate, “the good sense God gave a goose,” as Dawn was quick to note. Having heard this judgment throughout the entirety of her short life, she came to accept its finality and her fate.
Not that Logan understood or agreed.
Logan and Kim had that special relationship common to twins but found the role of “older” brother to be an unreasonable burden. Kim seldom made the effort to become self-sufficient. It was more work than she liked, and Aunt Dawn always belittled her efforts. Whether Logan or Kim liked it or not, Logan was always in charge. He was always the person who answered to Aunt Dawn whenever Kim misbehaved or failed at some expected task.
Following several parent-teacher conferences, their teacher adopted Aunt Dawn’s point of view. Even in school, Logan was unable to escape his responsibility for Kim. When at home with Aunt Dawn, Logan long ago accepted the punishment for Kim’s increasing failures to meet his Aunt’s expectations. School was to be no different.
There was no escape for Logan Bell.