A/N: The story will be reaching its conclusion around chapter twenty or above
"Excellent work Lincoln, you made excellent progress on your grades." Ms. Dimartino complimented handing Lincoln's report card.
"Thank you, Ms. Dimartino," he replied taking the paper.
Ms. Dimartino grasped his hand, "You should be proud; keep up the good work," Ms. Dimartino said encouraging the boy. "Cheer up okay."
"Okay," Lincoln nodded in reply.
While wondering the campus of the last week of summer school, Lincoln came across a distraction from his thoughts. He overheard some girls gossiping about someone, which at first he paid no mind to until Ronnie Anne's name mentioned.
"Hey look it's savage Santiago," One girl mocked, one of the names Ronnie Anne were referred.
"Yeah, what a primate?" Another girl added to the mockery.
"I wonder what jungle did she emigrate from," The third girl stated.
"Yeah she is always getting free passes," The first girl said.
The mock-fest continued much to Ronnie Anne's annoyance and sadness. The more bad names that thrown, the more she clenched the locker. Anger level only rose further as her lost father got mentioned. Ronnie Anne knew her father was not perfect but did not deserve to get ridiculed. One part of her mind just about ready to break one of the girl's teeth. Lincoln could not stand it going on as he decided to step in.
"Hey knock it off will you!" Lincoln exclaimed to the girls.
"What did you say?" The girl shot back.
"I said leave her alone!" Lincoln exclaimed to the girls. "You don't know her! And just because she is tough, does not mean she does not have problems!"
Both Ronnie Anne and the girl teasers were in shock over Lincoln's outburst. The girls took a calming sign and walked away. "Whatever this is lame anyway. See you never Santiago, when your bird-poop head boyfriend is not there to save you."
Lincoln grabbed Ronnie Anne's shoulder. From the tenseness and heavy breathing, it became clear that this Santiago anger went on overload. "Come on Ronnie Anne, let's head outside to cool off, by the looks of it, you looked like you were about to give one of those girls a bloody nose."
"Fine," Ronnie Anne took a calming breath.
Lincoln used the most utmost caution on Ronnie Anne. By her silence response, it would seem that her anger has not left her. Now Lincoln became the on in tricky territory. He only hopes his attempts don't get caught by Ronnie Anne's right hook.
"Those damn jerks!" Ronnie Anne clenched her fist as she kicked down the school trash can.
"You should not let them get under your skin, I mean I've been called worse, but you don't see me hurting anybody for it." Lincoln tried to reason with Ronnie Anne.
"That's not the point Lincoln; it seems like every opportunity that comes around; it's always got to mention him." Ronnie Anne eyes started to water through her angry expression.
"You mean your father?" Lincoln handed Ronnie Anne a tissue. After wiping her tears, Ronnie Anne blew her nose, while still having her back turned. "Look, Ronnie Anne, I know this may sound hypocritical coming from me since I am working progress but try to cheer up, okay."
"I'll try, but no promises,' she conceded.
After another of school has passed, Lincoln took a detour not ready for home yet. Even if everything may have seen okay, much was still on his mind. On the outside, healthy may have noticed, yet the inside lied deep sadness. Lincoln needed some fresh air too. At least something to take his mind off of his sisters and his recurring dreams.
Lincoln's first destination took him to the Royal Woods museum. Inside, Lincoln looked at the different art pieces displayed on the walls. As Frida Casagrande told him that "art can express a lot of emotions," yet Lincoln did not see it. He looked at the art displays with the blank expression he held through the weeks. The multiple colors and abstract pictures were not exactly self-explanatory. Then again, the pictures did paint something in his head, reminding him of the art he drew.
The second quest took him to the Royal Woods library. Inside the quiet zone, Lincoln glance through different books of graphic art, through comics and manga. Within the pages, Lincoln scanned the art detail pages. Lincoln knew that he knew comics often, but started to look at it from a different perspective view. Lincoln spent the next few hours glancing as each picture told a story about the book.
On the third stop in the late afternoon, Lincoln's walk took him to the Burp-N-Burger, Lincoln stumbled across the same homeless man from the other day. By his new location, Lincoln guesses that the homeless man got kicked out of the grocery store. Just like the other day, the homeless man held the same sad, miserable expression. It was the look that all hope was lost. Just like in his dreams, people pass the man as if he was a filthy disease. Even if Lincoln is not homeless, the middle-child felt sympathy for the man. Lincoln could not take his eyes off of him.
"Can I get a second order please?" Lincoln requested.
After getting shot down for the second time, the homeless man took an annoyed and sad sigh. Lincoln offered the man a bag of food. "I figured you might be hungry."
"Oh thank you, young man," The homeless man smiled gratefully receiving the meal as if he'd received gold.
The homeless man wasted no time savoring the juiciness of the burger. He munched on the giant burger and fries as Lincoln watched. Knowing how meals came and went for homeless Lincoln could not blame the man. After the fifth bite, the man started to cough. Lincoln hurried as he pounded the man's back. Then the homeless man consumed his soda cup.
"Easy pal, you should not eat so fast," Lincoln said helping the man, the sitting next to him.
The homeless person cleared his throat, wiping the ketchup from his mouth. "Sorry, when you don't eat for more than two days, you lose it." The man replied.
"So how'd you end up like this, if you don't mind me asking?" Lincoln inquired to the man.
Taking a break from his meal, the homeless man turned his attention to Lincoln. "You see that building right ahead of you." The man pointed to the right of two buildings. One had a bank, and the other was a liquor store. In between the two was an electronics store. "That used to be mine; I used to own a video store called Cinema Corner, where people would often come down to buy and rent videos and even movie accessories."
Lincoln got intrigued, "Really, so what happened?"
The man held his head down, "Times change, VHS became DVDs, and online piracy ran the market."
"Did you like your job?" Lincoln asked.
"I loved my job, talking to customers, watching their satisfied looks on their faces after watching a good movie, sometimes negative, getting new film releases, and enjoying the afternoon to nightly flicks. It lasted for a while." The man told Lincoln. "Then when hard times came, the business was not the same, no matter how much others convince me, I was stubborn, mainly because that video store was my life. My wife and soon my daughter wanted me to sell, but I was not about to give it up so easily. Over time, I lost my savings, my house, and my family."
"How do you lose a family?"
"Different ideology," He said, making Lincoln raise a confused eyebrow. "You know when coming home with a report card? With every progress, they expect great things, only to lead to great disappointment. No matter how much you try, every day is always a D or F., and that's what I always came to my family with."
"What happened after that?"
"My wife and daughter moved to their grandparent's house in Delaware, while I stood behind like a fool, determined to rebuild what I lost until eventually, I had to face the hard reality. Now entering my tenth year as a homeless." The man sadly continued. "I haven't seen my family ever since."
Remembering all the dreams, Lincoln started to grasp the idea. Even if Lincoln was not homeless, his heart poured out to the man.
Rita day of work came to an end as she stopped by the store. Like Lincoln, the mother had a lot on her mind. Some still on her deceased brother, other on Lincoln. While it may seem like Lincoln had forgiven her for her actions, Rita did not feel like she got fully forgiven. At the least, Lincoln stopped calling his mother by her first name, and they were talking again.
Unfortunately, however, it did not change the fact that her daughters still did not trust her. When exiting the car, Rita came across some drawings Lincoln did on his downtime. Judging from what Lynn Sr. told her the other day, Lincoln indeed had something, just was not fully aware yet. Even she was amazed by her detailed, and structured Lincoln's drawing looked. At any rate, also if Lynn Sr. told her to stand down, Rita still desired to help her son out of this dark place.
As Rita made grabbed the final material, she stumbled across a junior artist set, ranging from teens to young adults. Through the glance Rita wondered one side held hope, other hand stood cautions. The matriarch did not want to put any more pressure on her son than before, only wanted the best to support her son.
On the ride, Rita stopped by the cemetery paying her respects to Mitchell. With her on her knees, Rita watched her brother's grave as the flowers blew in the wind. Rita started to flash back to another memory of her brother.
The small house burst with a scream as it not only echoed the house but the whole neighborhood. By the way, how disturbing the cry sounded, they think someone was under attack. The teenage surfer jock ran pass Albert getting his morning coffee.
"Watch out dad, there is a bloodthirsty monster on the loose, and does it look mean!" Mitchell quickly informed, making the father raise a confused eyebrow.
"Come back here you little twerp so that I can turn you into a human pretzel!" Teenage Rita screamed chasing down her brother. Hair and makeup got drenched that she looked like plastic surgery went wrong. "God! You are so immature; you know that!"
"Can I get cheese with that?" Mitchell joked running away.
"Did he do the classic cold bucket of water prank on you?" Albert asked, trying to hold in the laughter.
"Worst dad, he used hot water," Rita said.
"Well, you got to admire his creative ambition," Albert commented.
"Who side are you on dad?" Rita exclaimed.
"Easy; the side of the champ." Mitchell mocked his sister.
"You won't be the champ for long once I'm through with turning you inside out punk!" Rita continued to chase Mitchell.
"It looks they are at it again. Should we do something about those kids?" Albert's wife asked, not surprised.
"Nah, I'm sure they will be fine," Albert said, watching his two children mess around.
"Get back here!" Teenage Rita screamed.
"I should have guessed I'd find you here." Albert came from behind, ending the flashback.
"Hey Dad," Rita greeted.
Albert took a seat next to his daughter. "Lynn told me everything," Albert stated. "Rita, you can't keep blaming yourself for Mitchell. What happened was just a twist of fate; I don't think any of us could have saved him."
Rita held onto both shoulders. "I wish I could have saved Mitchell, dad. Despite the way Mitchell would annoy me, we were still close."
"Oh yeah, he was quite the character; his bright smile became enough to make anyone's day. You remember that time when your mother accidentally tossed your favorite doll in the trash and Mitchell spent hours in the dumps trying to find it."
That memory made Rita chuckle, "Yeah, you and mom would not let him in the house for hours because of the smell."
"I'll bet if he were alive today, the kids would love their fun-loving uncle," Albert said, happily.
"Yeah they would," Rita smiled for a bit.
"So how is Lincoln doing?" Albert asked, not avoiding the subject.
"He is fine, slowly but steady."
"I'm glad, I've been worried about him with the whole depression issue, but I've always loved the kid whether he had the special skills like his sisters or the trophies."
"The trophies aren't the issue dad, all the times we praise the girls, guess Lincoln felt left out. I still can't remember the last time we acknowledge Lincoln for his accomplishments." Rita clarified. "I don't want Lincoln going around thinking that just because our daughters have many achievements means we love him any less. We love all of our children equally."
"Then be there for him Rita, not as a friend or coach, but as his mother." Albert placed both hands on Rita's shoulders. "Show he his much more than a someone who is always on the sidelines."
"I'll try dad, even with the ways things are now, I'll have to tread carefully."
"Sorry Boo-boo bear that I have to cancel our date so suddenly, I know we had it planned for a while." Lori talked on the phone.
"No worries babe, it's clear that you need to take care of your brother right now, but the option still stands if you want me to take Lincoln out sometime," Bobby replied being supportive.
"Thanks, boo-boo bear, I love you," Lori smiled.
It was nearly dark as the street lights came on when Lincoln made it to the front door. As Lori hung up the phone, she spotted her brother.
"Hey Lincoln, how was your day?" Lori greeted.
"Oh just the usual sis, nothing special," Lincoln said back with a hidden frown.
"By the way, Lincoln did you remember to take your pills this morning?" Lori reminded.
Knowing Lincoln dislike the antidepressants, he knew he had to take it to keep himself sane. Just the reminder made cringe inside. "Yeah, I did." Lincoln then looked at the trophy case, seeing something different. "Did Lynn just win a new trophy?"
"Yeah, she won the junior league softball ball a week ago."
Lincoln gave an annoyed scoff, "Of course she has."
"Don't worry; we told her to tone down on the gloating," Lori assured. Lincoln's eyes still sank to the ground. "What's a matter Lincoln?"
"It's nothing, Lori."
"Come on Lincoln, talk to me." Lori insisted.
Lincoln say down on the table. "It's just; with all you guys achievements, I guess it just makes me feel that you don't need me anymore."
Lori sat beside Lincoln. "Lincoln, we are all going to face our fair share of obstacles in the future. Don't think that just because we are good at something does now mean our futures are guaranteed."
Lincoln head continues to sink.
Lori used one hand covered Lincoln's hand, used the other over his shoulder. "Despite your faults, we never looked down on you. And even if we grow apart, we will always need you, now and forever."
"Really?"
Lori nodded. "Yeah, just like we need each other, we are family after all. I know it's hard but try to be open-minded."
"I'll try Lori," Lincoln said with minimum confidence.
That late night, Lincoln decided to take a look at the movie Ms. Dimartino gave him. From what he heard, the film was quite inspiring. Lincoln watched as the single father and child struggled through the harsh world to the point where both characters were alone and homeless. Even with the stakes against them, the father continued to strive for a better life with him and his son. Judging from the dreams, Lincoln had, he would hate to be in such a place with his child.
Lincoln did not cry, but the movie did pull at his heartstrings.
"Hey Lincoln, what are you watching?" Luan said.
"Just a movie that Ms. Dimartino gave me," Lincoln answered.
Soon after twenty minutes of viewing, Luan joined Lincoln in the visualization. It begins to pull at Luan's heartstrings. It spoke to her physically and emotionally. Each moment of the movie, the two loud siblings got emotionally invested in the father and son. They routed for them to succeed no matter what obstacle toss their way. It was a difficult journey for both of them, yet in the end, they managed to achieve with tears. Lincoln and Luan watched with happiness as the two of them headed off through the sunset together.
"Lincoln, I'm sorry for hitting you the other day, but I did mean what I said," Luan explained. Lincoln turn towards Luan. "You hurt me when you called me annoying. You made it feel like I was ashamed to be myself."
"Oh I'm sorry," Lincoln felt terrible.
"This depression of yours is not only affecting everyone mostly me, knowing that you are normally more optimistic. I know depression is not something to be cured automatically, but I can't stand you being this way. And so help me, I want to see you smile again, no fakes, a real genuine smile. I don't want to see you ridiculed badly like that again even if it is for a good or funny cause. Do you understand?" Luan explained.
"I understand," Lincoln said, hearing Luan out.
Luan kneed down to face Lincoln, "Just please don't ever make yourself look bad for the sake of proving something."
Lincoln made it to his bedroom; he found a big piece of cardboard wrapped in a set piece. Lincoln looked at it to see an art piece set armed with big chunks of paper, paint brushes, and an art stand. Lincoln held questions marks in his head wondering where it came.
"I hope you like the set Lincoln," Rita greeted at Lincoln's front door.
"Mom, you got this?" Lincoln questions, confused on occasion.
"Yep, I bought it for you Lincoln."
"Look I already forgave you mom."
"I did not get it as an apology Lincoln; I got it for you as an opportunity for you." Rita sat by her son.
"What do you mean?"
Rita set one of Lincoln's drawings down. "You may think you have nothing compared to your sisters, but I would hardly call this no talent."
"Oh this, I just did it out of boredom and because Ms. Dimartino told me to draw whatever is on my mind," Lincoln said.
"You know I never won anything awards or trophies either when I was the girl's age," Rita confessed.
"Really," Lincoln looks up.
"Yeah, mainly because your father and I always motivated them to do the things I never tried it," Rita said, showing Lincoln his drawing. "But you know what I see in this drawing," Rita paused. "I see this as a potential that is waiting to be unlocked."
Lincoln was still was unsure with his head down.
"Look, sweetie, I don't expect you to get to it right away, but just whenever you're ready, no pressure." Rita put her on Lincoln's shoulder. Rita gave Lincoln a forehead kiss as she left. Feeling tired, Lincoln shut his eyes as rest led to sleep.
With hands in her pockets, Luna puffed out smoke outside the hospital grounds. Luna chilled on the bench staring motionlessly at the migrating clouds. Different thoughts circled the rockstar's brain of her brother and her previous life. She knew her brother had a rough experience, but never this rough.
After talking to her siblings, even they were confused about the situation, let alone what to make of it. The fact the Lincoln had been alive if not we'll be more than a relief for the family no matter how shock they were.
Putting her mind at ease, Luna pulled out her phone. Luna scroll through the early memories of her best friend Sam, scrolling through the pictures from her teenage graduation, to college days, and finally founding her first band. She watched as she and Sam were so close that they were almost a pair. They were good times and nearly made her smile, yet it did not last forever.
Luna looked up Sam's contact number. It remained on her phone. She stared at it for more than five minutes, debating what to do. One thought came to mind to call Sam, however, given the rough history, Luna hesitated. Would Sam even answer her or could the number had changed or would it be possible that Sam blocked Luna's number? If all were the above, then the rockstar knew how much she screwed up.
Luna slowly tapped the call button. When the call went to a few answer tones, Luna cleared her throat, trying to sound presentable.
"Hello," Sam answered.
"Hey Sam," Luna greeted with nervous hesitation.
"Lunes, Lunes, is that you?" Sam said back with shock.
"Yeah Sam it's me, is this a bad time?"
"No, not at all, I'm just surprised that you called," Sam hesitated a bit. "It's been a while."
Like Lincoln, it's been years since the two of them heard from each other. Well at least Sam is still talking to her, Luna was at least glad Sam did not immediately hang up the phone, then again Sam did not seem like the type to hold a grudge for so long. "So how has everything been for you?" Luna asked trying to be friendly.
"Pretty well, we've been getting by with one gig after another, and you?"
Luna did not seem too happy on the question with her life's ups and downs, "Oh they are coming and going, not to mention I found out that my brother is alive and has been homeless all this time."
"Oh my god, is he okay?" Sam asked with worry.
"He's fine, just in the hospital. I don't know all the details, but he's had a stroke of bad luck to end up like this. And also, I was also feeling nostalgic about what I once had. I miss jamming with you guys."
"I miss jamming with you to Lunes. We were something big back then," Sam smiled, feeling nostalgic.
"Either way, I thought maybe we could relive those times together and start something fresh and new, something bigger and better." Luna offered.
"I'd love that Lunes, but it does not seem easy right now," Sam stated.
"What do you mean?" Luna asked confusedly.
Sam took a deep sigh. "What I mean Luna is that forgiving is one thing, but no matter how long it's been I can't forget the fact of how you acted in the past. We kicked you out for a reason. You let your ego get the better of you." Luna remembered all too well, which made her sad. "You let your band manager cheat us out of our most of our profits while you got the glory, you made important decisions without consulting us, you were even intoxicated during most auditions and even at a show. You even took my car for a joyride and almost wrecked it while drunk. No matter how much I told you to get help, you never seem to make an effort for your problem."
Just the reminder made Luna's head hurt and feel more guilty inside, "I know, and I'm sorry, but I'm trying to change."
"That's the thing, Luna. Even now I don't know if I can truly believe what you're saying or not." Sam sharply replied. "And with your recent arrest, it does not exactly speak wonders on your behalf." Luna was about to ask until Sam interrupted. "Yeah, Chunk told me everything. I guess what I'm saying is I'm going to need more than just your word these days."
"I understand," Luna said shamefully.
"I don't want you just to tell me you've changed, I want you to show me, and you can do that by dropping your band manager and getting some help, not just for yourself, but for your son and me."
"Yeah," Luna understood.
"Nevertheless, it was good hearing from you again Lunes. And in time, I hope we can reform what we lost. The Luna Eclipse is not the same without you." Sam had paused. "I hope Lincoln gets better, until next time we meet," Sam concluded.
"Yeah I hope so too, thank you." Luna hung up her phone.
As the loudest rocker, visited her little brother's room, Luna found Lincoln napping peacefully. As always even as an adult, Lincoln seem so adorable when he slept through the day. One new sight Luna saw is Lincoln under a breathing machine for most patients with lung problems. She hoped it was nothing too severe as she glanced at her fallen brother.
"Oh you are here," The Doctor came behind Luna.
"Hey doc, how is my brother?" Luna inquired.
"Doing fine, but we also have to keep him here for another week or two. We detected a blood clot in his body."
Luna got horrified as she knew what Blood Clot is. "How bad is it?"
"Given his situation as a homeless, this is very common among them, but with time and treatment, I assure you it will go away." The doctor informed. The doctor placed his hand on Luna's shoulder. "Don't worry; we are confident he will be fine."
Luna sat down beside her fallen brother and held his hand. "Bro, if you can hear me in there, please be strong," Luna whispered.
While much was on her mind, Luna's biggest concern lied with her brother. Luna then started singing softly in an old lullaby. An old song that Luna sang to baby Lincoln to stop crying and her youngest siblings. Even at the age of 30, Luna maintained that calming medley. She also sang it for her son once to help him sleep. Lincoln may no longer have been the eleven years old anymore, but Luna hoped her song would guide him since he was not the only person in that dark abyss.
When the brain lied awake through the night, Lincoln could not take his eyes off the art-set. Lincoln stared at the set blankly for a bit, not knowing what to do next. Then again, Rita's words still roamed around his head about hidden potential, so it could not hurt. At this point, anything was better than him feeling sorry for himself. When an ideal image came into Lincoln's mind, he grasped the artset and started working. Little did he know, one of his siblings took a quick peek through his door.
The twins quickly retreated to the elder siblings room where they held their Sibling Meeting. After giving the full report, the sister's minds were made up on what they needed to do.
"Alright girls, for our brother's sake, I think it's time we step up our game," Lori announced. "Operation cheer Lincoln up is on the go!"