OCTOBER 13th-"I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me. "Daddy, check for monsters under my bed." I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, "Daddy, there's somebody on my bed."

“Daddy! Daddy!” Georgie calls out to me, “I’m in my jammies!”
“Coming. Get ready for the sleepy-time express!” I shout back. I put my newspaper down and slide into my slippers. I climb up the creaky steps towards my son’s room.

I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me. "Daddy, check for monsters under my bed." I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, "Daddy, there's somebody on my bed."

My blood goes cold, as I look into the terrified face of my child. I swallow quickly and nod to him. I stand up and face my “other” son, “No, monsters.” I tell him, trying to keep the shakiness from my voice.

“Are you sure?” my son asks again, whispering.
“Yes. Now bed time, close your eyes.” I soothe.
“Okay Daddy. I love you.”

I turn out the light and my heart is pounding in my chest. I don’t know who this boy is, but I realize why I instantly believed Georgie under the bed. My son has a small scar on his left nostril, you’d barely notice it, Not-Georgie does not. It was so easy to miss it, until faced with my true child.

I shut the door and stand outside, listening for the sounds of sleeping. Once I hear a soft snoring, I quietly open the door and sneak back in. I crawl towards the bed, being careful not to wake the imposter.

“Georgie?” I whisper, “Quick, come out while he’s sleeping.” I urge my son.
Georgie nods and starts wiggling out. He’s nearly out from under the bed when the lights burst on.

“Bad Daddy! You lied to me. Now you need to be punished.”