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Peas
in a Pod By
Eric Redinger
I met Aaron in kindergarten. In
fact, I can't recall my life before meeting him.
He was a quiet kid who was always very shy and reserved.
Our friendship was a strange one. He
was the tallest boy in the class, whereas I was the shortest.
It was always easy for me to get lost in the crowd, to simply disappearمAnd
that's what Aaron wanted. He didn't
like being noticed, but I didn't mind. When
someone asked Aaron a question, I would often answer for him.
Our friendship grew quickly, like peas in a pod we were.
Wherever Aaron went, I followed. Wherever
I ventured, Aaron reluctantly abided. I
benefited from an advantaged childhood; all the nicest clothes and toys.
I never noticed that Aaron only had two pairs of trousers, or that his
shoes came from the Salvation Army. I
never complained when Aaron didn't bring a present to my birthday partyIn fact,
I didn't even notice. Strange,
since Aaron was the only guest.
In Jr. High, while dressing for gym class, I never noticed the strange
circular scars on Aaron's inner thighs. I
dont know how I knew that Aaron's father burned him with cigarettes when he was
bad. I realize now that I never had
to notice the scars because Aaron knew where to look.
Like peas in a pod, our psychic link was amazing. In High School, Aaron and I were the only Freshmen that
were allowed in Advanced Biology. Naturally,
we sat together - amid Juniors and Seniors.
Like peas in a pod, huddling in the back of the classroom.
Aaron was very good at science, whereas my skills were lacking.
I never noticed that I was the only other Freshmen in the class, or that
I really didn't belong there. I
never noticed that I never had to do homework, or directly answer questions.
Once Aaron's father came home drunk and placed a burning cigar on Aaron's
arm. I was making too much noise and Aaron got punished for it, so
I sat there with him while it seared and burned the flesh until his father
finally removed the cigar. I never
noticed the deep cherry-shaped wound on my own arm until now.
Like peas in a pod, his pain became mine. Aaron was accepted into an Ivy League University.
Like peas in a pod, we went together.
Aaron asked me to introduce him to a young woman in our Anthropology
class. He always had me do the
talking for him when he was too nervous. Her
name was Natalie, and she instantly took a liking to us.
We went on a few dates. Aaron
liked her a lot but became increasingly jealous.
She loved us, and Aaron couldn't stand sharingHe didn't want to play nice
anymore. I hated Natalie for
pitting Aaron against me. Slowly,
my own jealousy had taken seed. I
didn't want to share Aaron with her, or anybody.
Aaron was my meal-ticket, I told her.
She tried to fight, but my large hands crushed her esophagus before she
could scream. Which leads me to where I am nowSitting here watching
Aaron dream and trying to remember my life before meeting Aaron. Funny, but I can't remember my own parents' names.
The only memories I have are with AaronLike peas in a pod.
Who was that philosopher that said, "I think, therefore I am"? I thinkBut who am I? Do
I exist? I'll have to take all this
up with Aaron, my pea-pod pal.
"I was here first," he whispered in the night.
"It's my life, not yours," he said.
"I don't need you anymore, I'm ready to go it alone." He
pleaded. I'll be here last, that's
what counts. I told him.
Peas in a pod, if one rots from the inside eventually they all rot. "Don't you get it?
You're just a figment of my imagination!" Aaron screams into the darkness.
No Aaron, we're like peas in a pod.
If I kill myself, I'll take you with me. At that, I load the revolver and put the barrel in our mouth.
I was never too good at science, but Aaron was.
I never noticed until now, but I know everything that Aaron knows.
I know that there was no small boy in kindergarten class. There was no partner in Advanced Biology.
I didn't get into college, Aaron had secretly brought me with him, tucked
away inside his head. "You're insane!" Aaron cries. Hey! Obviously
I'm not the only one who's a little fucked-up here. Aaron knows that when someone wants to shoot himself they
shouldn't aim the barrel up through the top of the skull.
Aaron knows this will often lead to severe brain damage and paralysis,
but the heart may keep the body alive. Aaron
knows where to aim so I know where to aim.
The cerebellum lies directly under the brain.
By aiming at the back of the throat I'll hit it and destroy all life
functions. Like peas in a pod, Aaron knows this so I know this.
If one pea rots within the pod, they all eventually rot.
"You'll kill us!" Aaron
screams. Do you think they'll call
this murder, or suicide? Like peas
in a pod, if one rots they all rot.
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