Having led Winter to his room, Lincoln was lost on what to do. It was the first conversation between the two sisters, so it felt rude to just sit in the corner and play on his phone or participate. It would be best to give them some space, especially with Lisa being, well, Lisa. She was bad meeting new people, ones that didn't have a PhD at least. If he was in the room, she would probably focus on him and neglect Winter, or expect him to carry the conversation. He concluded it would be best this way. Winter will do fine without him, he just needed to figure out what to do while she does that.
He could have dinner, again, for the third time. Ronnie Anne's grandma would cook a lot, even when there was no occasion for it. Ronnie told him how much she made for special occasions. However, he felt his mother just made as much, if not more, for him than Abuela made for two people, on Christmas. He couldn't blame her, she must have been worried sick, but it was still too much. He ate once then had to eat again when his mother kept... he doesn't want to say nagging, but it was a combination of nagging and guilt. Fortunately, she didn't make him eat the third time after seeing him ready to give up the ghost.
Despite feeling sick from how much he ate; however, the food was amazing. Exotic wouldn't be the right word for it. While he hadn't seen it before, it didn't look or taste like something he wouldn't have eaten before. Amazing nonetheless. Very bready as well.
Walter entered the apartment. "Hi, Lincoln." He raised a bag. "I got a new lock. I just need to get my toolbox, and I will install it quickly."
"Oh, okay. Do you need any help?"
Walter closed the door and put the bag down, looking slightly surprised by the offer. "If you want to..."
"Okay..."
Looking like he left his head with the bag, Walter went to get the box and came back in a minute. There wasn't that much Lincoln could help with. Most he did was hold the door in place while Walter put the new lock in. It wasn't anything he hadn't seen before. Lana would have to replace parts of the house on the regular, whole doors included.
"And done." Walter went out and locked the door. Pushing a few times and failing to get in, he unlocked it and came back in. "Okay, now for the moment of truth." He put in one key on the inside before going out and trying the same thing. The key was pushed out slightly and the door opened without a hitch.
"It works." Lincoln remarked.
"It works." Walter nodded. "Okay, here is the key. I will leave one spare under the mat and one with our neighbor, just in case."
Walter took three keys and left the rest in a small tray by the door. Going to Winter's room, he looked around before turning back to Lincoln. "Where is Winter?"
"In my room, she's talking with one of my sisters."
"Which one?" Walter didn't finish the first word but was already halfway to Lincoln's room.
"Lisa, that's the smart one. I probably haven't seen her, she left before you went to Royal Woods."
Walter stopped himself before opening the door. Debating internally, he turned to Lincoln. "How old is she?"
"Five, why?"
Walter sighed, somewhat relieved. She's the smart one, but she is just five, what can she do? "It's just her?"
"Yes." Lincoln was confused but couldn't bring himself to ask.
Walter gave the door a deep stere before turning around. "I left a key on her desk, let her know when she is done."
"Okay."
Walter left for the living room, presumably to give a key to Sophia.
Alone again, Lincoln's eyes drifted to the door. His stomach twisted into knots. That food now felt like it was on the cusp on coming out. It worked, right? Why is he so worried then? It wouldn't hurt to check, just in case.
Lincoln put in one of the surplus keys and opened the door. Without closing it, he locked it from the inside. Hesitantly, he put in a key from the outside. Turning it around, he closed his eyes, as if it was going to explode. However, all he heard was a click as the door unlocked.
Lincoln didn't know if his legs would give out or he would fly away. Like a snap of the fingers, that knot was gone, and he felt at ease. He is worrying over nothing, after all. However, that was what he thought before. No, not this again. It was an accident, nothing more. But still...
It would be best if he just left the door alone for today.
Going over to the living room, Lincoln found his parents. The TV was turned on, but it was clear neither was paying any attention to it. Both looked lost, looking at dot two feet from their eyes.
Being the one to face him, Sophia noticed him first. "Oh, Lincoln, how are you feeling?"
"Okay..."
"Are you hungry? C-
"I'm good." Lincoln said quickly, hoping she wouldn't get up to make him another serving.
"Okay. If something is wrong, you can always tell us."
"I know..."
Everyone kept quiet for too long. Not wanting to seem weird, Lincoln sat down, joining his parents in existing in the same room. However, he couldn't help but notice he was the only one looking at the TV now. Sophia and Walter couldn't take their eyes off him, as if he would disappear if they blinked.
Was there something wrong? Something about him, his appearance, his behavior, his presence? He should just go to his room. They probably want to watch something but can't because of him. He needs to come up with an excuse then. It would be weird if he just came into the room, sat down, and immediately got up and left.
"Lincoln, there is something we would like to tell you." Walter said.
Lincoln took his attention away from the TV and looked at Walter.
"We were thinking of taking the next week off, to spend some time with you. We want to know if that would interfere with anything you were planning. If it is, we will pick some other time, it is no problem."
"No, it's okay."
"Great then..."
To the relief of everyone present, Winter came into the room. She didn't say anything and went straight for the cabinet. She pulled out some candy and ate it before going back. "Goodnight." she said calmly.
"Goodnight." the rest said.
Seeing an opportunity, Lincoln got up. "I think I should probably go too."
"Okay, goodnight." Walter said.
"Sleep well." Sophia said.
Going back to his room, Lincoln went to the computer but found that the call was finished. He took that as a good sign. They got so enamored with the talk that they forgot about him. It might sound bad, but it means they got along well. Oh well. He will talk to Lisa again, hopefully soon.
For now, he just needs to focus on getting some sleep. Running, at first after but then away, really wore him out.