Rob and Laura pulled into the driveway just returning from their weekend trip to Connecticut. Millie had been waiting for them and rushed over as soon as the car pulled in.
"Laura, Laura." She called coming across the street
"Hi, Millie," She said then turned to Richie, "Rich, take your suitcase inside and then put your pajamas on, it's almost time for bed."
"Okay, Mom." Richie said heading inside
"Honey, I'll take these inside and make sure he gets ready for bed." Rob said
"Alright, Darling." Laura said, "Thank you."
"Laura, you aren't going to believe this." Millie said, "I met one of our new neighbors, the couple that moved into the Simpson's old house."
"Well, Millie, that doesn't seem so unbelievable." Laura said heading into the house as Millie followed her
"I'm serious, Laura, I met the wife, Mary and there is something very strange about her. You just have to see it."
The only thing Laura thought was strange was her friend's behavior, "So, what's wrong with her, does she only have one eye?"
"Oh, come on. Let's go across the street and I'll introduce you." Millie suggested
"Millie, it's after nine o'clock. We can do it tomorrow night." Laura said, "But right now, I'm very tired and would like to get some sleep."
Millie huffed, "Oh, alright, but you promise?"
"Yes, I promise, Rob and I will stop by after dinner tomorrow night to welcome them to the neighborhood."
"Fine, we'll go with you." Millie informed her then turned to leave
Laura headed into the bedroom to change for bed and couldn't imagine what had gotten into her friend. She had never acted this way over a neighbor. Could she really have one eye? Laura laughed to herself.
Rob walked in, "Well, Rich is fast asleep, as soon as his head hit the pillow."
"Good." Laura said as she undressed
"So what was Millie so excited about?" Rob asked walking over to the dresser to get his pajamas
"Something about the new neighbors. She said there was something strange about the wife." Laura said pulling on her nightgown
"Well, you know Millie and her imagination." Rob said getting into bed
Mary and Lou's
Mary hung up the phone and rejoined Lou on the sofa. He was watching a football game, which usually meant he tuned out everything.
"Who was that on the phone?" He asked without taking his eyes off the game
"Our neighbor, Millie Helper, she wants to stop by with the Petries tomorrow night after dinner." Mary informed him picking up the book she had been reading.
"That's nice." Lou muttered, "Oh, come on, what kind of play was that?" He complained at the television
"You know, the neighbors seem really nice but twice I've been called Laura and I've caught them looking at me funny." She said, "Like today when Lily and I were watering the grass, two women walked by and stared for the longest time then whispered to each other."
A commercial came on and Lou turned his attention to her, "That's just because they're jealous." He said kissing her neck
"Uh huh, of what exactly?" Mary asked
"Me, because I have the sexiest wife in the neighborhood." He said kissing her long and deep
"Well…now how can I argue with that?" She said wrapping her arms around his neck
THE NEXT EVENING
Jerry and Rob headed over to Mary and Lou's while Laura and Millie finished preparing some welcome to the neighborhood treats. Millie and Jerry' 16 year old daughter Ellen was watching Richie and Freddie. Rob knocked on the door.
"Coming." Lou called then opened the door
"Hi, I'm Rob Petrie and this is Jerry Helper, half of your official welcoming committee." He quipped.
Lou shook both their hands, "Lou Grant, come on in. I thought your wives were coming."
"Oh they are. They were putting together some snacks and giving the sitter instructions." Jerry explained
"Well, Mary's getting our daughter in the bath," he said then called down the hall, "Mary, the neighbors are here."
"Be right out, honey." She called back
"Have a seat. Would you like a drink?" Lou offered
"No thanks." Rob said taking a seat on the sofa.
Lou turned his attention to Jerry, "Mary tells me you're a dentist."
"Yes, and I am accepting new patients." He hinted
"Good, we need one." Lou said
Mary walked in from the hall, "Well, Lily's taking her bath, finally."
"Mary, these are our neighbors, Rob Petrie and Jerry Helper." Lou introduced them, "Guys, this is my wife, Mary."
Rob and Jerry's mouths were slightly agape as Mary extended her hand, "Nice to meet you both."
"Uh, uh, yes, nice to meet you." Rob shook her hand, the resemblance was uncanny
"Oh, yes, it is nice to finally meet you, Mary." Jerry managed, shaking her hand
"Would you fellas like anything to drink?" She offered
"No, thank you, Lou already offered." Rob said sitting back down continuing to stare
The doorbell rang
"I'll get it. That must be your wives, I suppose." Mary walked over to the door and when she opened it there was a collective gasp as Laura walked in followed by Millie.
"Isn't it incredible?" Millie said walking over to Jerry
'Uh huh." Jerry muttered
Mary and Laura looked each other over and it was amazing, her hair was a shade or two lighter and there was a good fifteen years age difference but Mary could be Laura's twin. Mary just looked at Lou and shrugged with a smile, no wonder the neighbors looked at me funny, she thought.
Laura looked at Rob, her voice quivering, "Oh, Rob."
TBC…The couples get to know each other and Sally and Buddy meet the mysterious doppleganger
