Plot Twist

In movies, the plot twist comes in the third or fourth act, a narrative pivot that upends expectations that have been established in the preceding scenes. The final act of the film is left to resolve the mess made by the plot twist. He's been a ghost all along! They're both the same person! She's actually a man! The plot twist has become predictable—the ironically predictable unpredicted turn of events. My media-savvy kids yell out “PLOT TWIST” as a meta-joke when they do something unexpected. I make a snowball behind my back, yell “PLOT TWIST!” and then nail my daughter in the head. It's some of my best parenting.

In 2001 my wife Sue and I got married. In 2005, my brother Lou and his wife got married. Lou gave the best man toast at our reception, and 4 years later, I did the same as his best man. His speech moved me to tears. I'm not sure if mine was as good. I was told that having a glass of prosecco would calm my nerves, and my nerves made me drain four glasses on an empty stomach. As well as I can recall, my best man speech celebrated the incredible person that my brother is and the joyful union of his marriage. I didn't know his wife that well, but I commended her on her excellent taste in a husband.

Plot twist. In 2002, during the 4 years between our weddings, my brother and I had a devastating fight and we didn't speak to each other for 2 years.

Recently I asked my brother if he remembered any specific details of that fight, and he shook his head. “No, man. I wiped that whole incident from my memory. It was horrible.” I agree: it was horrible. I remember