Identical twin brothers Jim Lewis and Jim Springer. Credit: Ira Berger / Alamy Stock Photo
The protagonists have been studied by various American universities, and every single piece of data is verified and confirmed.
Lima, Ohio, 1979. James Springer, 39, receives a phone call from James Lewis, 39. "I am your twin brother. We were separated at birth. I was finally able to track you down." Lewis lives in Piqua, an hour's drive down Interstate 75.
The two meet, classic carrambling, then the tale of the years since their 15-year-old mother abandoned them in the hospital and Mr. and Mrs. Springer and Lewis, who did not know each other, adopted them. And they decided to name them both James, later shortened to Jim. First coincidence in an endless series. Here they are.
The two Jims both had an adopted brother named Larry; they had had a dog as children and named him Toy; they had identical report cards in school. Then the two had married, separated and remarried. The first wives were named Linda, the second Betty; and the first son they had given the same (double) name: James Allen.
Same model of car, a Chevrolet, and in the garage a small workshop and woodworking shop for the hobby of DIY. As jobs, they had been deputy sheriffs in different counties, and first in a McDonald's and a gas station. Lovers of the sea, on vacation they went to St. Petersburg, Florida, 1,600 miles away, to beaches three blocks apart.
On the health side, identical medical records: migraines, insomnia, hemorrhoids and minor heart ailments. Vices? Avid smokers, same brand of cigarettes, same brand of beer, and same nail-biting habit.
The brothers both passed away (not at the same time): Lewis died first, and the date of his death has not been made public. Springer passed away in 2016 at age 77.