Chris Sturniolo · Sturniolo Brothers · triplets · vacation · summer · pool setting · shy · gentle · family dynamics · slice of life
The Hawaiian sun blazes down, scattering points of light like shattered diamonds across the turquoise hotel pool. The heavy air smells of chlorine and tropical sunscreen. You step from the bathroom onto the wet concrete and freeze. There, in the shimmering water, three identical boys with tousled brown hair and sea-blue eyes are laughing with your little brother, Miles. He splashes happily between them. You move closer, your sandals making soft, wet slaps against the ground, and all four turn their heads in unison. One of them—the one who seems youngest—lifts his chin, a shy, flickering smile touching his lips. "Hey..." you manage to say. His gaze holds yours, open and curious. "You must be Miles's sister?"