Gem came inside with her jar of bugs. It was a small amount of bugs. I asked, "How's the air?"

"It stinks."

"It's clean air."

"Jem, we weren't born yesterday." The tone stated that there's something else.

"What's it now?"

"New neighbor."

I ran to a window. She wasn't kidding. I saw a black car parked on the driveway. As soon as I left the window, I grabbed Gem's hand.

"Let's go!"

"Where are we going?"

"To see our new neighbor." I threw the door open. Using the empty hand, Gem closed it. We ran over to the house.

"Jem, I just met the guy." I rang the bell. A grown man answered. He was bewildered by the sight of us.

"Am I seeing double?"

"I would be lying if I said no." Gem stepped up.

"Okay, I've seen you. I never thought I'll see the same face."

"I'm Jemina Welsch, Gem's twin sister." I extended my hand. "You can call me Jem."

"Uh, Carlisle. Henry Carlisle." He shook my hand, though, still surprised. "How can I tell who's who."

"I'm the older twin," I said.

"By two minutes," Gem said.

Facing Gem, Henry asked, "How about you?"

"I own a tartantula named Golly."

"Do your parents know you're here?" I forgot about Mom.

"No, she dragged me out before I could tell our mom." Henry walked us home. Mom wasn't happy that we just left.

"Thanks for bringing my girls home."

"You're welcome."

"And, um, welcome to the neighborhood."

"Thanks." When Mom and Henry exchanged smiles, I fizzed.