Bobby Turnbull and the Identical Twins

together.

CHAPTER ONE

Betrayal – by friends.

In early June Bobby finished his freshman year at Northwestern University. His parents wanted him to follow in his dad’s footsteps as a doctor. It wasn’t his first choice. But he was told he must preserve the Turnbull status among the Chicago elites, not sure what they meant by status.

Dad was a psychiatrist. His daily routine was visiting patients at the hospital who are fighting demons. The afternoon consists of office hours counseling the rich on alcoholism, drugs spousal abuse and the big one—those who feel guilty about being too rich. But being a voyeur in someone else’s mind ten to twelve hours a day had taken its toll on his dad.

When his dad got home he would head to his private library and drink until he couldn’t drink anymore. If that wasn’t bad enough, he’d been called in front of the medical board for having sex with one—two maybe three—of his rich patients.

Bobby was not at all sure he wanted to be a demon fighter. If this was the social status he needed to preserve, it wouldn’t take much of an effort. He didn’t need to be a doctor for that. If it hadn’t been for Mother, Dad wouldn’t have much of a social status. He married up. Mom was the socialite, the one who made the papers, the one working on charity events to make the rich feel good about themselves. And Grandpa, he was the genius, an engineer and industrialist with multiple patents that made him a billionaire. Thank you, Grandpa.

The day of graduation Bobby got his first million dollars, with more to come in allotted time intervals. When Bobby turned eighteen, he had a sit down with the administrator of the Family Trust. He was told directly: Wants, needs, and misuse of your allotted amount from your inheritance will never be an excuse to with draw more funds on future financial installments. Learn to live on what you have been given. Because there is no more until the allotted time arrives. Do you understand?

His first purchase was a new red BMW. His second was a graduation present to himself—a backpack trip across Europe with his girlfriend Megan. While he was spending his summer in Europe, his mother bought him a townhouse close to the University. She didn’t want Bobby living in the dorms.

One-day Bobby was in his mother’s private library. There were some papers on her desk. It was a description of the house. Six bedrooms, eleven bathrooms. Eleven bathrooms! He hadn’t even been in all eleven bathrooms. Value: $50,000,000. Who needs a place this big?

Bobby pulled into the circle drive and parked at the front entrance. He honked his horn. Mary came to the door. She was a little black lady in her late forties and very well educated. She gave Bobby a hug and a kiss.

It’s so nice to see you. Since you’ve been gone this house is too quiet and to darn lonely. I miss you.

Mary, I miss you too.

Now that you’re here. What can I help you with?

Nothing. Just getting the fishing gear. Going north for a couple of weeks.

Bobby never understood Mary’s role. She was never treated like hired help. She wasn’t just part of the family. She was family. She may have been small in stature, but she was a scrappy, little woman. She kept Bobby in place along with the groundskeepers and the rest of the staff. Nobody crossed her. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull trusted Mary with anything and everything. She was the gatekeeper.

The ride from the mansion to the townhouse was about forty-five minutes. A song came on the radio by Foreigner—I Want To Know What Love Is. The melody immediately caught his attention. It reverberated through his body. The words struck home. They became a soundtrack that played over and over in his head.

Bobby drove up the street to the townhouse. As he got closer, he sees a Range Rover in the driveway. It belonged to his good friend Billy. What’s going on? There were suitcases in the driveway. Coming out the front door was Billy carrying another suitcase with Megan his girlfriend following close behind. Bobby pulled over to the curb and stopped the BMW and watched what was going on. Billy’s loaded the suitcases into the back of the Range Rover. Is this what it looks like? Bobby put his car into drive and slowly turned into his driveway, surprising Billy and Megan.

Bobby got out. Hey guys! What’s going on?

Billy looked at Bobby with a red face.

Bobby, we wanted to be gone before you got back. I’m sorry you had to see this. Please don’t kick my ass.

Relax. No one is going to kick your ass.

Really? Because I don’t want any trouble.

So, tell me how long has this been going on?

A few months.

Really? A few months?

Yes.

"So, where are you going

Someplace down south. Maybe Florida. Bobby, you don’t look mad.

No. I’m not. Actually. I should thank you.

Megan was standing next to the Range Rover.

So, you two have been having sex together while Megan and I have been having sex together? Is that about right?

Yes.

Megan opened the door to the Range Rover. Bobby, I needed more out of this relationship. All you did was study.

Yes. Yes, I did. I’m studying to be a doctor. Was I ever the one?

I didn’t know.

But thanks for helping me make up my mind. I’m not sure you or I know what love is. Good bye. Now get your ass out of my driveway. Billy! Good luck. If she did it to me she will do it to you.

Bobby walked into the townhouse and finished packing for the trip north. Under the circumstances he didn’t feel all that bad about Billy and Megan hooking up. On the way out of town, he drove past the mega dealership where he bought his BMW. The Beemer was a chick magnet. Is that what I really need right now, someone who looks good on my arm? Megan just educated him that chicks and studying to be a doctor didn’t go well together. Bobby checked his rear-view mirror. No cars behind him. He did a quick U-turn and pulled into the car lot. He saw it in the front row, a lime-colored, four-door Jeep Wrangler Sport caught his eye.

The salesman recognized him. He had sold him the red BMW. Mr. Turnbull, what can I do for you?

I want to buy that Jeep.

What are you doing with the Beemer?

Trading it in.

Mr. Turnbull?

It’s Bobby.

Bobby, you’re going to take a bath on your BMW.

I don’t care as long as I break even and I’m off this lot in less than one hour.

You want to trade in this red chick magnet for a lime-colored Jeep?

That’s it. I’m studying to be a doctor. I don’t need a chick magnet.

The salesman knew a good deal when he saw one. It didn’t take long for the paper work to get done and the keys to change hands. Bobby was soon on the road heading to northern Michigan.

It’s been a long day. He passed Benton Harbor. The sign said, Holland Fifty Miles. Good place to stop for the night and get something to eat. He pulled into a motel off the highway. Luckily, they had one room left on the second floor. Soon he was standing in front of the motel room door. He slid the key in to unlock the door.

He turned around and looked out over the parking lot. There it is. It’s bright. It’s green. Won’t have any problem finding it in any parking lot.

* * * * *

Bobby was up early. He had a continental breakfast in the little dining area and was on the road by eight. He cruised down the highway listening to the hum of the wheels, as he continued heading north with at least another six hours on the road.

The events of yesterday interrupted the hum of the wheels. His best friend was having sex with his girlfriend. And his girlfriend was having sex with his best friend. That’s messed up. What did that say about friendship and loyalty? Why didn’t she just leave sooner? Well, the ordeal of a floundering relationship was over. Sad. It’s wasn’t even an emotional event. The lyrics of the Foreigner song had come to life. It was running through his head nonstop. I gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over. I better read between the lines.

He’d been on the road for a couple of hours. His bladder was full, and he was looking for the first rest stop. The sign said two miles ahead. After emptying his bladder, he walked back to the Jeep. The sun was high in the sky. He decided to roll the canvas top off to get some spring-time fresh air.

Back on the road, the spring air was a little brisk, chillier than he expected. The ball cap and sweat shirt helped. A dark cloud rushed in from Lake Michigan. A light mist began to enter the Jeep. He found himself in the little town of Grawn. He pulled into a parking lot of a business that’s looked like it had been out of business for some time to put the canvas top back on

CHAPTER TWO

Cute to stunning.

He arrived in town with what looked like with the rest of the state of Michigan. Tourist season was in full swing. The lifeblood of this little resort town. Seven months—these little businesses needed seven months of good business to survive. Bobby turned the Jeep left at the corner, driving down the road along a row of large homes overlooking Lake Michigan.

Mother was home. The Mercedes was in the driveway. He slowed the Jeep down and drove past the house to his favorite spot looking out over the lake. He parked the Jeep and started to walk up. There was a woman leaning over the rail. She looked great from the back, shoulder-length blonde hair with a great bronze tan highlighted with a matching two-piece, peach-colored top and shorts. Remember what just happened. No girlfriend.

As he got closer he recognized her. It was his childhood summer friend. The last time he saw her she was standing in the same place. It had been a couple of years since he had seen her. And has she ever changed! He walked up next to her and leaned over the rail, but didn’t say anything to her, just quietly looked out over the lake. She didn’t need to turn her head to see who it is.

Where you been? I haven’t seen you for a couple of years.

How did you know it was me?

The smell.

The smell?

Yes, the smell. Rich people smell different. Where have you been? I’ve been waiting to see you for two years.

I spent last summer in Europe. Then college. So technically it hasn’t been two years.

Still with the snobby cheerleader?

No. Broke up yesterday.

Why?

She and my best friend were having an affair for months. Found out yesterday.

Sorry.

Don’t be. Yesterday morning I was riding in my car wondering is this the right girl for me. I didn’t put much thought into it. So evidently not.

They still haven’t looked at each other.

So, what have you been up to?

Taking a couple of classes at the college in Traverse City.

For what?

Thinking about being a teacher. Might take some online courses this fall.

Still coming here every day?

Yes. It’s like a gravitational pull. Different times of the day, I get this feeling. It draws me to this place. I have this feeling I should be looking for someone or something. It’s a crazy feeling. I know it sounds crazy. But I can’t help it.

She turned toward Bobby. How long are you in town for?

The summer.

Bobby’s still hasn’t turned.

Now that you’re single I hope you’re not going to be one of those LuLus.

You’re calling me a LuLu? What the hell is a LuLu?

It’s what all you rich boys do.

What’s that?

You come up here for the summer. You hook up with a local girl. You love us. Then you leave us. That’s a LuLu.

Bobby stood up straight and turned toward Annie. Holy shit! What two years had done to this girl is unreal. Last time he saw her she was just cute. Now she looked like she belonged on the cover of Cosmopolitan or Vogue. Her big, baby-blue eyes were hypnotic sitting above her dimples. Her teeth were perfect and bright white, highlighted by a beautiful tan and that long, beautiful, blonde hair. Bobby was lost for words. She’s stunning.

Annie had a little smile on her face. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?

No. Yes. You’re so beautiful.

Thank you. I must go now. I have to work. Need to pay for that college.

Annie, am I going to see you anymore?

I’m not LuLu bait.

I hope not. But can I see you anyway?

Remember. I live here. You know where to find me.

He couldn’t find the words other than she looked amazing. Now he was talking to himself as he walked to his green Jeep. Yesterday his girlfriend left him for his best friend, and he felt nothing. Now he saw his childhood summer friend, and she was breathtaking. He hadn’t had that feeling since his first kiss—well, his first romantic kiss.

He climbed into his Jeep. He took a deep breath. The fresh breeze off the lake brought with it a spiritual feeling of renewal, the ending of spring and the beginning of summer and the cleansing of his soul. It had only been a day since his girlfriend left him. His heart and head, were, in conflict with each other since the chance meeting with Annie. But was it really a chance meeting, or had he been hoping she would be there? He started the Jeep up.

The jukebox in his head started playing a song by Foreigner, I want to know what love is" interrupted the conflict between his heart and his head. If today is a sign what the rest of the summer is going to be like. I’m going