Story envy

I always envied my twin cousins for their stories.

Both star players on my high school’s football team, they went to Louisiana State University when I was beginning middle school. They were the coolest guys ever – and had the best stories.

For instance, when they dared their friend to sneak through a female neighbor’s open window and meet them in the back of the house for $20. As soon as he reached the second floor, the twins started whooping and hollering, waking the woman to chase a teenage boy through her house. Great role models for me, obviously.

There was also the time they went out and one woke up the next morning on a cargo ship in New Orleans with no wallet, no phone and no idea how he got there. He busked until he had enough cash to return to Baton Rouge.

I now have my own stories to bring to the table. My stories are much more tame, but they’re mine. And I can refer back to my wild cousins when in need of a crowd pleaser.