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forty thousand a year for a state college.”
    â€œWe’ll do it somehow. We just have to make a plan.”
    â€œLet me know when you figure one out.”
    â€œI’ve already got an idea.”

    Two days later, when Jack walked downstairs and saw that Charlie had invited a recruiter to meet him, he was flabbergasted. He looked at the man’s uniform in amazement.
    â€œWho are you? ”
    â€œHe’s a marine,” Charlie said. “His name’s William.” He turned slightly. “This is my brother.”
    â€œA marine? ” Jack looked William up and down as if sizing him up for a fight. He was in his late 30s, with a buzz cut, ramrod-straight posture, and a smooth face. He looked like a former football player.
    â€œNice to meet you, son,” William said coolly, extending his hand and quickly placing it in his pocket when Jack didn’t move.
    â€œDon’t tell me you’re considering enlisting ,” Jack said. “Are you serious ?”
    â€œYes, he’s serious,” William said, as if he were Charlie’s twin and privy to his deepest thoughts.
    â€œMan, you’ve got to be kidding.”
    William winked at Charlie, infuriating Jack even more.
    â€œJack, it’s not the worst thing in the world.”
    â€œOh, really?” Jack ignored William and continued speaking to his brother. “I’m sure he’s told you all kinds of great stuff about the adventure and high pay, but wait until you find yourself in the middle of some broiling desert, aiming Patriot missiles at civilians.”
    William smiled, as if he had heard such false information before. He said, “The Marines are trained, equipped, and organized to maintain a state of constant global readiness. We offer benefits that rival Fortune 500 companies, especially in this kind of economic climate.”
    â€œThat sounds right out of an advertising brochure,” Jack said.
    Charlie said to his brother, “Listen, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I can get my entire college paid for by joining up—no student loans at all. And with Iraq winding down, there’s a good chance I’ll end up in the States anyway.”
    Jack snorted. “Oh, sure. That’s what they tell you. But what if they send your ass straight over to Afghanistan? You hate these wars. You’re not equipped for fighting and killing people.”
    Charlie looked away from him. “Speak for yourself, Jack. I know what I’m capable of.”
    Jack turned his gaze to the recruiter, who seemed to be emanating a smug certitude. Probably Charlie had already signed some contract or other. Weren’t they desperate for smart soldiers? And Charlie would be among the smartest and fittest. Jack felt a surge of possessiveness as he looked again at his twin. How could this stranger take him away?
    â€œDid you think I would sign up, too? Is that why you brought him here?”
    Charlie smiled. “I didn’t think so. But William said that, being twins and all, it’d be kind of cool if we enlisted together.”
    â€œYeah, real cool … they could ship us home together in the same box.” Jack ran his hands through his hair. He couldn’t believe this was happening. “Did you tell Mom yet?”
    â€œYeah. She freaked out, as you can imagine. Said she couldn’t bear to lose me. That we were all she had. Etcetera. She pulled out every stop. I ended up comforting her, and I’m the one who’s leaving.”
    â€œCan’t you take some time to think this over? I mean, this is your life we’re talking about.”
    But even as Jack said this, he saw it was too late. Whatever the recruiter had promised, it must have been very beguiling. Charlie was lost.
    Jack couldn’t help blaming his father for this disaster. If he’d kept his mitts off the money their grandmother had set aside for them, none of this would have happened.
    Jack