Haircut for two!

Everything goes to plan. You get in, sit down, order your meals, then you and El excuse yourselves to go to the washroom. You sneak back out the front door and scamper over to the salon. It wasn't long before it closed, you were lucky to get there when no one else was there. You go to open the door but can't even manage that, you really were weak as a baby right now. El opens it for you and you rush in best you could.

"Haircut for two!" You blurt.

El adds. "If you have any openings."

The only hairdresser is a thin man in his 40's. He had short thick black hair and a pencil mustache.

He gets up then suddenly freezes in place. He is staring at the pair of you with a funny blank, almost stunned, expression. You both wait in the awkward silence. He says in a breathy sigh. "Two?" He looks up at a line of pictures of old movie stars that lined all around the top of the wall then back at you. He mutters incoherently. "Last minute haircut, short hair, Roman Holiday." He laughs. "Like Roman Holiday, not really but kind of. The twin version?"

You and El look at each other like this guy was crazy. There is another uncomfortable silence and then he bursts into life. "Of course I have openings! I know just the cuts...do you trust me?"

You and El hum and haw, this guy was acting really weird. He laughs and points up at one of the portraits.

"Surely people have commented on the resemblance." He marvels at the pair of you and sighs dreamily. "Two of you. My god. You two are stunning. You really don't know who she is?"

You shake your head. "No sir, who is she?"

Elsie adds. "She's beautiful."

He is flummoxed by the question. "Who is she? Are you serious?" He shakes his head in disbelief. "Her name is Audrey Hepburn. And she..." He looks like he is about to launch into a tirade but he cuts it short. "You should really see her movies. Trust me. I think they're showing Breakfast at Tiffany's at the old theater next town over. Who is she! Dear lord, kids these days." He looks up at the picture. "Well...does that look good...that style of Pixie cut?"

You and El both nod enthusiastically. You were starting to get a bit weak in the knees. "Could I go first?" You ask.

He presents his chair with a flourish. "But of course, take a seat mademoiselle. These cuts are easy, I'll have you two in and out of here in no time."

El helps you to the chair. It takes him less than half an hour to do the pair of you. By the end you stand side by side looking in the mirror, the match was perfect. Absolutely perfect. And you really did look similar to the old actress up on the wall. You then had an idea and so did Elsie.

"May we use your washroom?" Elsie asks. He agrees. The pair of you go in and switch t shirts. It was time to test your mother's theory of telling the pair of you apart. As you leave he asks if he could take a picture of you. You stand arm in arm and he snaps a pic. El pays the man and you head back to the restaurant. You had used what reserves you had and were fading fast. You were happy to see the table.

Your mother was sitting with a dour expression, her eyes were shooting daggers at Fiona for this deception. All of the meals were waiting on the table getting cold. It must have been a long uncomfortable wait for Fiona having to sit across from your furious mother. You slide into the booth next to your mom while Elsie gets in beside Fiona. Your mother reaches across and takes Elsie's hand. "Are you okay my girl?"

El nods with a little smirk. Fiona was also looking at her with concern. Both thought they were talking to you right now.

Your mom then scowls at you. "Elsie! Why did you two do this? Tonight of all nights. You should know better Elsie. What if Jesse would have fallen or something?"

"Sorry. We wanted a haircut Mom. We were just next door. What do you think?" You ask.

She looks at each of you. "Nice. Short...but nice." She then says once more with too much confidence. "Matching huh. Well I can still tell you apart. You two can't fool your mother."

It takes all your will to hold in your snickers. You tuck into your luke warm meal. You were so hungry, you scarf down every last bite and even finish El's for her.

"My goodness you're hungry Elsie." Your mother mentions to you. You notice Fiona's eyes go narrow as she looks at you hard, she then shakes her head.

"I...I just can't tell them apart. I just can't." You sister admits. "They're identical."

Your mother brags. "That's because you're not their mother. We share a special bond."

You and El bite your lips to keep from laughing. Fiona was still studying you suspiciously. Your mother pays the bill and you get up to leave. Your big sister offers Elsie her arm. El continues to play her role as Jesse and takes it in hers. You sidle up to Fiona's other side and slip your arm through her other arm. She looks at you, surprised for a moment. She soon puts it together. She shakes her head and says under her breath. "You two are going to be trouble. I can tell." You share a giggle with your twin and the three Bailey sisters leave the restaurant arm in arm.

Before you know it you are pulling up to home sweet home. You were happy to see it. You were more tired than you had ever been in your life.