Impractical Jokers, Practically

Chapter Thirteen

I stare at my phone in disbelief. Is this real life? I'm finally home after being kidnapped, seemingly safe, and now I have to deal with this mess? Why can't our lives go smoothly from now on? Sal and I can be together, the boys and I would make 20 seasons of Impractical Jokers, everything would be good. No, of course that's not how it works. That would be too boring. Of course we have to deal with all this drama. I scoff. 

Okay, Alexa, focus. I listen to the voicemail one more time. What should I do? Glancing at the clock in the kitchen, it's 10:55 a.m. Crap. The guy in the message, whoever he is, said to meet them in the park at 11:00. I'd better do what he says. Sal's sister's life is at stake. 

Jenna is in trouble and I can't even tell Sal. What if Sal never forgives me for this? After all, this is his sister we're talking about and he should be the one protecting her. Then again, if I don't save her by myself right now, she'll be in even worse trouble and Sal would definitely never forgive me. 

I have to go alone. And somehow save Jenna. I'm scared shitless, but I keep reminding myself that this is Sal's sister. Jenna is a sweetheart and I would have to try to save her. Plus this is Sal's family we're talking about. Sal. 

I don't have time to change. Looking at what I'm wearing, leggings and an oversized long sleeve shirt, I decide it's good enough. I quickly make sure I have my phone on me, then attempt to go upstairs to grab a pair of shoes before stopping myself. Wait, if I do that, I might wake up Sal. Then he'll be asking all sorts of questions, questions that I can't answer. Plus, I'm going to be late. I need to be at the park in like 2 minutes. Nope, can't get any shoes. Guess I'll be going barefoot. 

The park is about an 8 minute walk from our apartment. As soon as I got the front door open, I start running. I figure if I run fast enough, I'll be able to make it. 

I'm running past cars, people, I cut through traffic, and finally I see the park in front of me. I slow to a stop, catch my breath for a second, then start walking. My feet ache, not only from the run, but also from stepping on the hot concrete. Little pebbles are digging into my soles. 

I'm doing this for Jenna. And for Sal. I keep repeating this in my mind over and over again. 

I'm walking through the park, trying to spot her, until I hear some guy call out, "Alexa!" 

I turn to my left, seeing some guy. Some guy that looks painfully familiar. I expect to see Jenna with him, but he's by himself. Wary, I make my way over to him, he's by some big tree and secluded from everyone else. My stomach turns. That's not Calvin is it? No it can't be, Calvin's in jail. Prison this time, I remind myself. Then who...? When I finally reach him, and the guy's face comes in clear focus, I stop cold. It is Calvin. 

"Wha--? This can't be real, impossible. You---the police caught you. You're supposed to be in prison...How the fuck did you escape again? " I'm in disbelief. My eyes must be deceiving me. 

He starts talking, "Wow, you're even more attractive than I imagined. My brother did like you a lot, and now I can see why. You're simply lovely." 

Now I'm even more confused. Brother? What is he talking about? 

"I see by the confused look on your face that you think I'm Calvin. No, dear, I'm not. Calvin's my brother. I'm his twin brother, Cameron. He's locked up, but I'm not. When I went to go visit him, wondering why the fuck he's doing time for 25 years, he tells me all about you. How you denied him, how you chose Sal over him, blah blah blah. I knew I had to get revenge. He's family. You don't mess with family."

Whoa, twin brother? What the fuck is this? Talk about a plot twist. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Or some sort of Impractical Jokers fanfiction that someone else is writing. Surely, this can't be real. But, as I study his face, I notice the little differences between him and his brother. Cameron's smile is a little more crooked, and he has a tiny mole on his cheek that Calvin doesn't have. I guess this is possible. Weird, but possible.