David never felt very close to Tim. Younger by five years, there was sufficient distance as to place the brothers in different social circles throughout David’s childhood and adolescence.

While they were not close, Tim did look out for his younger brother as needed, but did so from afar. David rarely needed such assistance, for he was very practical and oozed common sense. Still in high school when Tim met Ronnie, any chance of bonding in the late ten years evaporated as the two lovers moved towards their own beginnings of family.

As David moved through his college years, much as with Tim, he met his future spouse, excepting David and Vicki were Plymouth State students. After being virtually inseparable for 2 years, once both graduated (same year) David and Vicki were wed. There wedding followed that of Tim and Ronnie by the same five years of separation.

Now the proud parents of twin boys, David and Vicki owned a general store located in the area just south of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Their home was on the adjacent property, and so they worked about as close to home as one can get without working at home.

Salston’s Regional General Store was most famous for the political guests passing through campaigning for the presidency, and one entire wall in the 200 year old 2 story store was devoted to tasteful photographs of various candidates with various local folk. The store was also famous for the huge pancake breakfasts served up each Saturday morning.

While David and Vicki were fully involved in the breakfast work on Saturday mornings, they ceded overall responsibility to their very efficient manager, Sherri. The secret pancake batter and special cooking technique were all of Sherri’s doing, and for her fine work was very well compensated, especially in comparison with prevailing wages in the region. David and Vicki made no secret of the fact the recipe was Sherri’s. And for her part, Sherri had no intention of ever going elsewhere or using the recipe as leverage for more compensation.

People lined up early outside Salston’s on Saturday morning, no matter the weather. The doors opened at 6:30 am, and there would be a full house already in line. The official capacity was listed at 85 by the West Denwood volunteer fire department.

On occasion, Tim and Ronnie would sneak up the previous night, staying in their cosy camp on Lake Sorensen, 3 miles west of Salston’s. And so it was they had arrived on a rather cool Friday night after dark. As Tim unloaded the car, Ronnie started a fire in the wood stove located in the main living space. Addie and Seri would sleep in this room; they loved to spread their sleeping bags out a safe distance from the wood stove, there to share scary stories while a crackling fire kept them warm.

Ronnie and Tim retired to their bedroom just off the short hall that led away from the living space. They could hear the girls giggling and whispering, and their close connection led Tim to reflect on how he had never spent real time with his younger brother.

Seeing him lost in thought was quite a usual circumstance for Ronnie. On this occasion she chose to inquire, and was relieved to hear the issue on Tim’s mind was one of sibling connectivity.

“Perhaps you should consider asking your brother to go away somewhere with you.” Ronnie hopefully suggested. Having a distraction of this sort might be just the thing Tim needed to bring himself back down to earth, grounding him in what was important in his life.

Tim’s expression reformed into one of intense contemplation, until he finally reached an answer. “I like that idea a lot Ronnie. Why don’t we see if all four of us can go away?” Tim negotiated.

“It would be best for the two of you to do something together, with just the two of you. It is important, Tim. You only live one life, and one day you might regret never going for this opportunity.” Ronnie was hard to counter in a discussion.

For his part, Tim did like the idea of connecting with his sibling. He also disliked the idea of bonding as brother and brother, and this was yet another socially unacceptable thought circulating through his stressed mind.