2. Chronicle of a Wealth Foretold

I already did calculations. I could have bought 10,033 Ace Savvy comics (or actually 7,518 since they raised the price). Or 180 "All Inclusive" tickets for children at Dairy Land.

And why spend it on such small things? I could also build a whole house for myself. Leave this closet, misnamed room, where I was locked up, and have a man-cave called "LincLand". I could have even that.

The truth is, that very night, in the moment of discovering that she had won, there was only disbelief in our minds. Two or three long seconds of silence that were broken by Luna's enthusiasm.

You won! This is great news, little sis!", she had exclaimed as she ran to embrace her. All the other girls did the same.

Leni seemed confused by the family reaction: "Did I win? That easy? How much did I earn?" she asked incessantly. Dad ran to check the ticket with Mom, and confirmed the event we were already celebrating.

"How do you feel, my dear? You are the luckiest girl around!" Mom asked.

"Well... Fine".

Lynn pounced on the platinum blonde, saying: "Fine?" Just "fine"? I've seen you jumping like a toad of joy over a few 45 dollars with 45 cents! Nobody feels "fine" for 30 grand! You should be like crazy!

"OK, I promise that the next time I earn 30 thousand I will go crazy. Pinky swear. I know which one my pinky is", she said, showing her middle finger. If we didn't know her well, we would think that all that she said was a crushing sarcasm.

There was no point in thinking about all that. Leni chose her ticket before me and no one else, so she deserved it. So, having that clear, why didn't I stop thinking about what I missed out on not accepting her lottery ticket when I could?

That bothered me so much that I even felt that the wooden bas-relief Clyde and Leni did for me looked at me with disapproval. I decided to leave the room for a while to distract myself.

The first thing I noticed when I left my room was Lori in the middle of the hall, leaning against the wall and typing cheerfully on her phone, but with a rather tense face.

"Why are you there, Lori?"

"Why do you think, you dork? Our parents are having a private chat with Leni. Neither I can be present."

I assumed the reason, but still I asked.

"Do you think they're talking about how to use her money?"

"You can bet on it. They are quite clear that Leni is not the most apt to handle all that money".

I felt a little sad for my sister. It must be worrying to be in her situation. I have thought of the advantages, but perhaps I should have thought first of that great responsibility.

The door to Leni's room opened, and our parents left.

"Don't forget what we talked about, honey, and everything will work out for you," Mom said as she said goodbye.

"I won't, Mommy," my pretty sister replied, with her big smile. Lori and I saw each other, and as we began to head towards Leni we were frightened by a swift pink burst of light that surpassed us.

Lola came in less than a second to hug the blonde.

"Yoo-hoo! Leni-Len! How is my favorite sister? Did I tell you that you look beautiful when you have good luck?"

Leni was thoughtful for a couple of seconds, then answered almost automatically:

"Lola, the prize belongs to me and I will dispose of it as I want, without influence of anyone."

The little beauty queen didn't seem to understand.

"That's all I'm gonna say, little sister. I'm sorry".

It was then that the elegant twin analyzed what Leni had said. She stopped hugging Leni and her perfect face turned red.

"Big mistake, my friend! I deserve that you give me a princess castle! And I want it now!"

Lori cleared her throat behind her.

"Mom and Dad will literally love what you just said".

The color on Lola's face changed again. Now she was pale.

"Lori-Lore! I was just kidding! Uh... Did you call me, Lana? I must go, bye!"

She ran again, now on her way to her room. We could hear Lana's voice saying, "I didn't call you! Go away!"

"How are you, Leni? What did dad and mom tell you?" I asked her.

"Not much. A few things about luck. And the prize. I almost forgot ... Ahem! The prize belongs to me and I will dispose of it as I want, without anyone's influence.

The elder of my sisters raised an eyebrow.

"They literally have you..."

"... indoctrinated", I said.

"No, they only gave me advice. No drugs!"

It was easy to understand the concern of our parents.

Lori put her hands on her hips as she said, "You've already made it clear that you will not let yourself be influenced by what we say. But then, do you know what you're going to do with all that money?"

"Of course not! I actually... I feel nervous, it's like when ... You gave me the first driving class and you told me to use the brake, and the brake did not brake, and..."

She could continue with her traumatic memory, but my older sister had covered her mouth in less than a second.

"I think ... it's clear to Linc and me how much it has affected you!" She commented with a nervous smile, making it clear that she was not the only one with a trauma after that class.

"I had noticed you very calm after Dad and Mom left. I supposed you felt good after talking to them", was what I said then.

"I really just wanted them to feel at ease. I don't want Mom and Dad to worry a lot, although in reality I still don't know what I'm going to do."

Leni looked down. Seeing that made me understand what she felt. Such a sudden change of situation could turn a stroke of luck into a great responsibility. It was not as easy as I thought it was, like just buying thousands of comics or amusement park tickets. Maybe it was better to take some time to decide.

"You should save it until you know what you really want."

"That's what Mom and Dad advised me to do. But I'm scared of never finding it out. What if any decision I make next is bad? I'm dumb, you know? Surely you know it, you are very intelligent, and you make plans, and you help us all... I mean, what if you help me, Linky?

Lori and I react immediately. We made her calm down, she was taking it too hard. My older sister took her into the room and locked themselves up. Again I was alone, and I felt bad for having begun to think how I would manage the money for Leni.