Chapter twenty two: Wingwoman
When Leni had a goal, she pursued it to the end. This blonde knew what she wanted. And their current goals were to help Lincoln. She entered his room after school. It was dark in Lincoln's room. Lincoln was lying in bed under his covers.
"Lincoln. We have been at home for five minutes. We wanted to go outside."
"I don't want to go outside." Lincoln said.
Leni approached Lincoln. He pulled the blanket over his head.
"We wanted to find another girl."
"A Girl...I want Amira." Lincoln said from under his blanket.
"Get out!" Leni yelled, and pulled Lincoln's blanket away with a lot of force.
Lincoln, slightly scared, stood up.
"That's what I thought." Leni said.
"Can we go to a railroad after that?"
"Why?"
"Because I want to jump under a train." Lincoln said quietly.
"Lincoln?!"
"What?"
"If you ever say something terrible like this again, I tell mom and dad about this!"
"Okay Leni."
Leni took Lincoln by the hand, had him put on his shoes, and dragged him to the park. There, they walked around.
"It's such a nice place here. Right Lincoln?" Leni asked.
"The clouds of misery never disappear." Lincoln said.
"You make me sad Lincoln."
At that moment Leni saw a girl. Twelve years old, red shoulder length wavy hair, very pale skin, and wearing blue jeans and a green sweater. She had an ancient camcorder in her hand and was filming a gray cat prowling around the park. Leni pushed Lincoln behind a rock. She pointed at the girl. "Why is this cat filming?" Lincoln asked.
"I don't know. Maybe she likes cats."
"That's something I could answer myself." Lincoln said annoyed.
"Go to her. She's for sure someone who is really kind."
"No Leni... I can't."
"Don't be a baby, Lincoln."
Leni got Lincoln close to the girl and ran away. The girl didn't notice anything. Lincoln looked after Leni and noticed something on his legs. He looked down. The gray cat roamed around his legs. The girl continued to film the cat.
"Just pet the cat." The girl said.
"Why do you film this cat? Are you a cat lover?"
"I love cats. But I also love cameras."
"That's why you record the cat?"
The girl stopped the recording and looked at Lincoln.
"Yes. You know, cats are like way too small lions. And I make "Urban Safari documentaries." Means I just film pets when they live on their wild side."
"That's interesting." Lincoln said.
"It is. And the cat is gone… Nevermind, I need to change the tape."
The girl pressed a button on the camera, and the camera opened. She took a video tape out, and put it in a protection box. Then she inserted a new one.
"So. There we go."
"I'm Lincoln."
"Okay. I'm Jenny."
"What did your cat do?"
"No, my father is allergic to cats. So we don't have one."
"So you just look out and start filming?"
"Yup."
"Wanna be a part of my documentary?"
"Sure. What do I need to do?"
"Well, I just saw in the side of my eye that the cat from earlier is on this rock behind you. Go to her and pet her. I record that."
Lincoln looked to the rock. The cat sat on it and blinked slowly to Lincoln. He went to the cat, and Jenny followed him. As Lincoln reached the rock, he stretched his hand out to the cat, and petted her. Jenny starts filming. But Lincoln unknowingly made a mistake. He wanted to pet the hip of the cat. The cat meowed, and hit Lincoln with her paw, with extracted claws.
"Ouch!"
Lincoln backed away. The cat hissed, and Lincoln noticed that his arm was bleeding.
"Stupid cat!"
Jenny stopped recording.
"Well, never touch a cat you just know too much." Jenny said.
"Very funny... Ugh!"
"A tip, let the wound bleed out."
"What kind of tip is that?"
"Prevents an infection. Or squeeze it out."
"Squeeze my blood out?"
"Yeah."
"That's crazy!"
Leni, behind the rock, got nervous as she heard that.
"That's not crazy. You have to do it because you flood the bacteria's out."
"In this case, I try it."
Lincoln pressed his arm around the place of the wound. The blood went out.
"You can stop now." Jenny said.
"I try but it keeps going."
"Put your thumb on it."
Lincoln put his thumb on the wound.
"It's still going." Lincoln said.
"Wait for it."
Lincoln's wound stopped bleeding.
"There we go."
"Finally." Lincoln said.
"I have to go. But give me your number. Your white hair could be useful for my films."
"Okay. Here."
Lincoln took out his phone and showed Jenny his number. She typed the number in, and smiled at Lincoln.
"Thank you. So, bye. I will contact you if I need an actor."
Jenny left the park. Lincoln went to Leni. Leni seemed to be in a good mood.
"You did pretty well." Leni said.
"Yeah… but…"
"But what?" "She isn't really my type… and she wasn't that nice like Eliška."
"Well, maybe you need to call Eliška this evening."
"But what if she doesn't like me?"
"Nah, I guess she likes you. She gave you her number pretty quickly."
"But Jenny gave her number faster."
"Yes. But for a need. For her films."
"You have a point."
"See? I have a talent."
"You are kinda smart in this topic."
Leni took Lincoln by the hand and walked home with him. At the weekend Leni went to the arcade with Lincoln. There they did the same thing again. And Lincoln was confident this time.
"Im ready Leni..." Lincoln said.
"Great Lincoln!" Leni said happily.
Leni looked around. And she found a girl. Twelve years old, blonde hair in a ponytail, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. White pearl earrings hung from her ears. She was sitting at the arcade bistro.
"There is one." Leni said.
"Where?"
"On the seat at the small bistro."
"Okay. I'm going to her."
Lincoln went to the seat next to the girl. She didn't notice him, and looked at her phone.
"Hello..." Lincoln said.
The girl looked at him, and rolled her eyes.
"Ugh...Hello."
The girl said annoyed. Lincoln didn't know how to continue contacting her. But the girl's cell phone made things easier for Lincoln. A loud advertisement played from the cell phone speakers. The girl turned the volume down.
"What was that?" Lincoln asked.
"I guess the new cyberpunk commercial."
"Cyberpunk? I love games, but aren't you a bit too young for this?"
"Yes, but who cares?"
"Good argument."
"Yes. So now, why do you talk to me?"
Lincoln looked down.
"I just had a break up and look for a girlfriend."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah and now I'm looking for a new relationship."
"You are honest. I love that. But I am already in a good relationship."
"I'm sorry… take care…"
Lincoln stood up and went to Leni.
"Everything okay?" Leni asked.
"I go home… to bed."
"What happened?"
"She's already in a relationship."
"Oh. Well there's nothing to change that."
Lincoln left the arcade and Leni followed him. At the same time, Rita took Alison to the Regional Hospital and entered the building for therapeutic purposes. The two stepped in front of an open door. There were many couples in the room, and each of the women was pregnant.
"Okay. Bye."
Rita wanted to leave, but Alison kept her back.
"Nope. You come with me."
"You have to handle this by yourself."
"But why?"
"The doctors will take care of you."
"There is no doctor, there just a hippie chic sitting there."
Rita looked in the room and saw a middle aged woman who actually looked like a hippie.
"I don't know. She seems to know what she's teaching."
"She looks like she enjoys pot smoking."
"Just give it a try."
Alison entered the room. Rita left the building and went to the hospital park and fed ducks. Leni and Lincoln had arrived home and were sitting under the tree in the front yard.
"Don't be sad Lincy. You have a number. And we will meet some girls for sure." Leni said.
"I want to go to bed." Lincoln said quietly.
"But it's just lunchtime. It's way too early to go to sleep."
"I just want in my bed Leni."
Lincoln looked around sadly when he saw the girl from the arcade. She was accompanied by a brown-haired boy who was wearing a green T-shirt and blue jeans.
"You here? Are you a loud?" The girl asked.
"Yes?"
Leni and Lincoln said at the same time with a feeling confused.
"I just live five houses away from here."
"You heard from our family?" Lincoln asked.
"Yes. Because it's the most strange family in Royal Woods."
Leni and Lincoln felt offended by that.
"I'm not strange." Leni said.
"Yeah. We're a normal family."
"Oh, I'm sorry." "Well, now you know me. I'm Lincoln. And you two?"
"I'm Nina. This is Tom. My boyfriend."
"She told me about you earlier." Tom said.
"Yeah. I'm sorry that you felt like that."
Lincoln sighted.
"Well, you could hang around with us. As friends."
"Yes. Yea!" Lincoln stood up and hugged Nina. Nina's body stiffened.
"Don't...touch..."
"Come on Nina." Tom said.
Nina slowly wrapped her arms around Lincoln, and made a forced smile.
"It's okay like this?"
"Yes, Nina." Tom said.
Lincoln let's Nina.
"So, what do you want to do?" Tom asked.
"No idea." Lincoln said.
"Let's just go downtown and see what we find."
Lincoln nodded and walked off with his new friends.
Patrick and Amira walked through the neighborhood of the house where Patrick's family lived. The mood was tense.
"Amira?"
"What?" Amira asked annoyed.
"A visit with mom will make you feel better."
"I only feel better without you."
"Stop talking about stuff!"
"I say what I want."
The two reached their parents' house and went inside. Klara came out of the kitchen.
"Hello. I am so happy to see you both."
"Hi mom." Amira said softly.
"Is something wrong Amira?"
"A lot is wrong."
"What is it?"
"Too much."
"Amira, I have something that helps you."
Klara gave Amira a paper note. There was an address written on it. The address of a psychiatrist.
"What is this for?"
"You go to a psychiatrist. Every week… you need help, Amira."
"I…I need some time for myself."
Amira left the living room. Amira went into the kitchen and pulled out her wallet. She had two photos in it. Both from her and Lincoln, made in the photo booth. Amira leaned on the wall and went down to the ground.
"I miss you Lincoln."
Lincoln, Nina and Tom entered the screening room of the cinema located in the center of Royal Woods. The hall was not brightly lit, but there was enough light to find seats in the middle of the cinema hall. Lincoln sat down to Nina's left and noticed someone whispering into the phone to his left. And that in Czech. Lincoln discreetly looked to his left and saw Eliška next to him. Lincoln quickly looked at the screen. His head was becoming hot. He listened to Eliška's voice.
"Ano, to je dobře. Musím hned zavěsit, mami. Nashledanou. Miluji tě. Nashle."
Eliška hung her phone up and leaned back in the seat. Then she turned her head to Lincoln.
"Well who do we have here? You also like this kind of movie?" Lincoln blushed and looked nervous at Eliška.
"Y-yes. Hi Eliška."
Eliška twisted her hair around her index finger and smiled.
"Yeah, that's my name. Do you also like these kind of movies because of their story?"
"Y-yes. That's w-why."
Eliška scooted a little closer to Lincoln. Lincoln became nervous.
"W-what are you doing?" Lincoln asked.
"Nothing important."
The film began. After ten minutes, Eliška yawned and wrapped her arm over Lincoln's shoulder. Lincoln felt a strong feeling throughout his body. He leaned on Eliška. Eliška whispered something to Lincoln.
"Hey Lincoln, wanna do something with me after the movie?"
"Sure." Lincoln answered.
An hour and a half later, Lincoln, Nina and Tom left the cinema, followed by Eliška.
"Hey, wanna hang out now?" Eliška asked.
"Sure. Hey, Nina, Tom, I go with Eliška. Do you want to join?"
"Sure." Nina said. The group left. At the same time, Rita was waiting for Alison at the Regional Hospital. Alison left the group therapy room annoyed.
"That was the weirdest hour in my entire life."
"Did it help?" Rita asked.
"Yes. But I was surrounded by a bunch of couples in their twenties, who wanted to hear my story, and the hippie chick who was preparing me."
"That's good if it helped you."
"Yeah, but sniff my clothes."
"What?"
"Just do it."
Rita sniffed Alison's sweater. Rita felt a bit sick.
"Is this weed?"
"Yes. This hippie chick smells like a whole weed farm."
"Om my god...she's a pothead." Rita said with wide eyes.
"Yeah! And I still have a headache. Come. I want to go home."
Alison left the regional hospital with Rita. In the parking lot, Rita caught up with Vanzilla.
"Oh god. Not another ride in this rusty tuna can." Alison said.
"Hey! This Van is the best vehicle I've ever driven!"
"I don't want to think about the other vehicles you drove, if that's the best one."
"Keep making jokes." Rita said.
Rita got in. Alison followed suit. Rita let Alison get off at her house and drove on. Alison entered her home. Her parents were sitting on the couch with some documents and discussing. Alison greeted her.
"Hey Mom. Dad. What are you doing?" Alison asked.
"We got the documents from the authorities. Because of your pregnancy." Constance said.
"You reported that to the authorities?!"
"Yes. You can't exist without the country knowing you exist."
"How do you mean that?"
"Without passport, no school, no job, nothing." Ritchie said.
"It's coming closer to the one day..."
"Yup. And you end up worse than me." Constance said.
"Why worse then you?"
"Worse because you're younger."
"I need some privacy."
Alison went up the stairs in her room. Lincoln walked with his new friends trough the Park. They asked about each others life.
"Where do you come from, Eliška?" Tom asked.
"Česká republika. That's in the east of Europe."
"And why are you here?" Nina asked.
"The Russians have become more aggressive the last years. So two years ago, we left Eastern Europe."
"What about your life, Lincoln?"
"The only thing that's not normal about my life is the fact that I have eleven sisters. Otherwise, nothing."
"Eleven Sisters?"
"Yes. Eleven Sisters."
"How do you handle them?"
"Depends on. Everyone of them has to be handled differently."
"What about you two?"
"Uhm, we knew us since we were little. Our families always lived in Royal Woods. Nothing more." Tom said.
In front of them on the Path, some ducks stood in a small group. Nina slowly walked to the Ducks, and stretched her hand to them.
"That duck is so cute." Nina said.
"It sure is." Lincoln said.
The ducks walked to NIna and started quaking.
"I have no bread here, duckies." Nina said.
"Bread isn't good for ducks." Eliška said.
"Why?" Lincoln asked.
"Because it's not healthy for ducks."
"What should we give to the ducks?" Nina asked.
"Ducks eat a lot. Plants, seeds, berries, or frogs, snails and worms."
"Why do I think about Lana?" Lincoln asked himself.
"Who is Lana?" Eliška asked.
"Oh, I said that? Lana is my little sister. She's very… unique."
"How unique?"
"She likes mud and strange pets."
"Untypical for a girl." Tom said.
"Really untypical."
They heard a Bell in the far distance. The Big William. Nina looked at her Phone.
"Time to go. Bye everyone."
Nina and Tom walked away.
"Bye Lincoln." Eliška said.
Eliška left. But shortly after that, she came back and gave Lincoln a kiss on the forehead. She walked away again. Lincoln blushed like Crazy. Rita and Lynn sr. made Dinner. Broccoli casserole. Lynn put it in the Oven and started it.
"Good that we used the last rest we had."
"I have to get to the grocery store at Monday." Rita said.
"Our kids got you banned from that store." Lynn senior said.
"Not in the one in Beaverton."
"Yes, but just take Lily with you. She won't do anything."
"Yeah sure. Lily wont do something. I'm sure she just sleeps."
"Lily sleeps everywhere she wants."
"You're right."
Cliff entered the kitchen and meowed at Rita.
"What do you want cliff?"
Cliff meowed again, and walked around Rita's legs.
"Wanna food?"
Cliff meowed again.
"I give you some."
Rita opened a small can of cat food, and put it on Cliffs plate. Cliff neared the plate, sniffed at the food, and walked away.
"Yeah of course you do that."
Amira and Patrick reached the garage. Amira opened the back door and both entered.
"Well, I never thought that one of your ideas could be good." Amira said.
"I'm not stupid."
"I'm surprised about that."
"Don't start again with this!"
"Since you actually had such a good idea, take this."
Amira held her fist for a fist bump towards Patrick.
"For real?" Patrick asked.
"Do it before I think about it twice."
Patrick runned up Amira and hugged her tightly. Amira's body stiffened.
"Thank you so much Amira." Patrick said.
Amira made a tortured sound. But Patrick kept hugging her.
"Thank you so much. You don't know how happy I am."
Amira slowly moved her right hand to Patrick's back.
"Yeah… that's better then attacking each other."
Lincoln reached his home. He opened the door and Cliff walked out of the house. Lincoln turned back to cliff.
"Where are you going?"
Cliff looked at Lincoln, and walked away. Lincoln went inside. Rita was walking out of the kitchen and saw him.
"Hi Lincoln. Where have you been?" Rita asked.
"I was with some friends."
"What did you do?"
"We watched a movie."
"Nice. Wich cinema?"
"I forgot the name, but it is the one in the center of Royal Woods."
"I know wich. Can you please wash your hands? Dinner is ready soon."
"Okay mom."
Lincoln walked through the dining room, in wich his sisters already waited, and went in the kitchen. Lincoln started washing his hands, and noticed cliff, entering trough the pet door, with a mouse in his mouth.
"Oh Cliff. Not in the house."
Cliff sat down next to his plate, and started biting on the mouse. Lincoln heard the mouse's bones crack.
"Oh my god… really?"
Cliff went on.
"Enjoy your meal I guess." Lincoln said, and left the kitchen.
Hours later, Lincoln entered his room. He was wearing his pajamas, and was ready for sleep. He turned of the lights and layed on his bed. He thought about everything. About this girl Jenny from some says ago, with her great creativity. Nina, who was really honest. And Eliška. And he enjoyed thinking about Eliška, because she was how she was.
End of Chapter