Chapter Twenty Six: Adult problems
Lincoln and Eliška sat in the park. They talked about everything they could think of. Now, about a rather sensitive topic.
"So, you tell me, that creepy woman in the garage is your ex-girlfriend?" Eliška asked confused.
"First, Amira isn't creepy, and she is, next to you, the most lovable person I've ever met." Lincoln said.
"I hope for you you answer this question correctly… was this before we met?"
"Yes. I would never cheat on anyone. Not on Amira, or you."
"You saved you ass Lincy."
"Right..."
"And why did you have to break up?"
"Too much age difference."
"How much?"
"Eleven years."
Eliška facepalmed herself.
"Oh my god… That's so messed up."
"I have to agree… but I really loved her… and it broke my heart."
"I feel your pain."
"So, you also broke up with someone?"
"No. This jerk cheated on me."
"Oh... I'm sorry..."
"Only thinking about it makes me angry."
Eliška's mind was thrown into memories. Good memories with her ex-boyfriend. When they spent time in a park, did eat together, or just kissed. And the bad memories. Seeing him kissing another girl. The pain, her anger, everything. Eliška shook her head.
"I don't want to think about it... just change the subject and never mention him again."
Lincoln felt sorry for Eliška.
"Just so you know, I don't want to cheat on you..."
"I guess... I still feel pain about that."
They went for a walk to vent their minds. they both bought a vanilla ice cream, and went for a walk next to the river. They walked past many well-known places, like the Duck house, where a small hut is often visited by ducks, and the nuclear power plant.
"Hmmm… Jaderná elektrárna."
"What?" Lincoln asked.
"The nuclear power plant. I have mixed feelings about it."
"Why?"
"For once, it's a good technology. But, when Chernobyl happened, the cloud hit Czechoslovakia perfectly. My mother told me often about it, that the people stayed in home of fear."
"What do you mean? What don't you mean that the cloud hit Czechoslovakia?"
"Well, this power plant was burning, and it released tons of radioactive material into the atmosphere. And this stuff has to fall down somewhere. And that happened over the Czech part of Czechoslovakia."
"Oh... That's terrible."
"I guess. But my mom or my dad never really talked about it."
"Okay."
They kept walking.
"But, why did they never really talk about it?" Lincoln asked.
"Maybe it's not important. I never asked."
Amira was laying in her bed, listening to Air traffic control over her computer. She found someone she knew. Her father. She heard a transmission for her father. Or for the aircraft he was flying.
"JetBlue five five six you are clear to land on runway two." The voice of her father answered.
"JetBlue five five six understood. We begin to land."
"Roger that. I hope you had a good shift."
"This shift was good. Calm passengers and good weather. JetBlue five five six over."
Amira's phone rang. She took it and answered the call.
"Schroeder Smith."
"Hello mis Schroeder. Mr Thompson from Phoenix insurance. We wanted to tell you that we decided to take you."
Amira gasped.
"Really?"
"Yes. Is your interest still there?"
"Yes."
"Great. We will send you the contract in a week. And we are always here for your questions."
"Okay."
"Thank you miss Schroeder. Have a nice day."
"Goodbye."
Amira hung up.
She jumped up and down and was spinning while jumping.
"I did it! I did it!" Amira screamed happily.
She ran outside the house. Amira entered the kitchen. Rita was washing dishes and was surprised by Amira.
"Rita! I got the job! I got the job!" Amira cheered.
"Oh my god. That's wonderful!" Rita yelled happily and gave Amira a hug.
"That's great. I'm proud of you Amira. When do you start working?"
"They send the contract and the details in a week. Then I know more."
"Okay. Im proud of you."
"Thanks."
Amira went back to the garage. She went to her computer and played music. She went to her bed and lay down.
"An actually good day."
She looked at the ceiling. Something, or more, someone came to her mind.
"Wait… I need to tell Lincoln about this." Amira thought about it.
"I don't want to tell him that. If he cries, that would be horrible. If I go without telling him… I wouldn't need to see him sad."
Amira came another thought.
"But... I can't lie to him. I can't lie to Lincoln."
She got up again and put on her shoes. She had to get fresh air outside. But as she left the garage, she saw Lincoln walking to the house.
"Hi Lincoln." Amira said with a low voice.
"Hi Amira." Lincoln said with a smile.
"You are happy. Why?"
"I'm just glad to see you."
"I'm glad too to see you."
"How are you?"
"I guess I'm okay. How are you?"
"Good. I kinda got into a new relationship."
"Who is this lucky girl?"
"Her name is Eliška."
"I'm happy for you."
"Anything new with your life?"
"Kinda... I got a job in Great Lake City. So I'm moving away soon."
Lincoln gave Amira a said look.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you."
"You had to say what you had to say… but… I will miss you."
Lincoln's eyes started tearing up.
"This is like you broke up with me again."
"I'm sorry. We need to move on."
Amira took Lincoln and carried him inside. She sat on the couch and started comforting him.
"It will still be alright. And you have my phone number. You could call me anytime."
Lincoln looked at her, smiled, and hugged her again.
"Can we still visit each other?"
"Sure."
"Do you stay for dinner?"
"Yes. I often eat way too alone."
Two hours later, the Louds and Amira were sitting at the table in the dining room.
"So... Rita already knows, I got a job."
Lori slowly raised her glass, and nodded slowly.
"Well done."
"Girl, that's awesome. What are you doing?" Luna asked.
"I'm actually educated as an IT expert. So, I work as this."
"Computer. Lifeless machines that act like they are alive. Beautiful." Lucy said.
"She's just weird." Lola whispered.
"I know. It's not a problem for me." Amira whispered back.
Amira took a bite of her burger.
"And I'm moving away soon because of that."
The sisters agreed. Lincoln looked sad down.
"I hope it works out for you." Lori said.
"You will do fine girl." Luna said and gave her a thumb up.
"You have a good job. Being a computer mechanic." Lana said.
Leni noticed lincoln looking sad.
"Everything's alright with you?" Leni asked.
"No." Lincoln said quietly.
He got up and went into his room. Lincoln laid down on his bed and after a few minutes, it knocked on the door.
"Come in." Amira and Lori stepped in.
"Are you okay Lincoln?"
"I'm as okay as I can be right now." Lincoln said.
Lori hugged Lincoln. Amira wanted to do the same. But Lori answered in an aggressive way.
"Don't touch my brother you pervert!"
"Why are you acting like that?" Amira asked.
"Because you are that old and had a relationship with him, and hurt his feelings. I just protect him."
"Calm down Lori. It's okay for me." Lincoln said.
"Fine. But she leaves if she does something wrong." Amira and Lori hugged him.
"I love you both." Lincoln said.
"I love you too." Lori said.
"I'm sorry for you guys, that you will be that far away from each other."
"No joke that's why both are sad." Amira said mad.
"I realize that now."
They broke the hug.
"We go back. Just tell me when you need something."
Lincoln nodded. Lori and Amira left Lincoln's room. Lori closed the door. Amir's turned to her.
"Hey. You're a good sister."
"Thanks."
"Wanna go back to the others?"
"Yeah."
Lori and Amira went downstairs and sat back at the table. Rita looked at them.
"Is Lincoln okay?" Rita asked.
"He's fine." Lori said.
"He definitely will miss you." Leni said.
"I know. But we all need to move on. There will be a day where even lily leaves."
Everyone looked at Lily. Lily looked around and continued eating.
The next day Rita and Alison went to the house where Darcy lived.
"I can't wait to babysit Darcy again. She's cute."
"Yup. She's a good girl." Rita said.
"She's Lisa's best friend, right?"
"Yes. Even though they are… they have nothing in common at all." They arrived at the house.
"I ring." Alison said and rang the doorbell.
Darcy's mother opened the door not even a minute later.
"Hello you two. Good to see you." Darcy's mother said.
"It's great to see you again as well." Rita answered.
"And hello Alison. You look good."
"But feel like a rhino. Where's Darcy?"
"She is in her room. Come with me."
They went into the house and went to Darcy's bedroom, where she was playing with her stuffed giraffe Raffo. She noticed them.
"Hi Mrs. Loud." Darcy said.
"Hi Darcy. Are you alright?"
"Very alright. I'm playing with Raffo right now."
Darcy noticed Alison.
"Oh. Hi ma'am."
"Why did she call me that?" Alison asked.
"Because you start looking mature." Rita said.
Alison rolled her eyes.
"Great."
Darcy stood up and hugged Alison. Alison's eyes widened.
"Be careful please." Alison said.
"Why?" Darcy asked. "Because I don't like to be touched there." Darcy let go. "Sorry."
"It's not a problem." Alison said.
"So, I have to go. See you later." Darcy's mother said, and left.
Lincoln and Eliška walked down the sidewalk. They both talked about their past relationships.
"We talked about Amira the last time we met?" Lincoln asked.
"Yes. What about her?"
"She's moving away soon."
"Oh. Okay." "Why did you respond like that?" "I feel uncomfortable knowing that your ex is near you." "Why do you feel uncomfortable?" "Because it's literally the girl… she isn't even a girl who you loved. And I think every time about how you go back her and don't love me anymore." Eliška started tearing up. "And then I loose you and everything breaks again." "We don't get back together." Lincoln said. "Someone said something similar to me. Until he kissed another girl." "I'm sorry. I should have known that you are sensitive to this." They walked on. Eventually they reached her home and went into her room. "Do you want to meet my parents?" Eliška asked. "Really? Are you comfortable with that?" "I guess..." "You don't have to do it if you're not ready." "I am ready. My mom is usually in the kitchen when she is home." Eliška took Lincoln's hand and walked with him into the kitchen. It smelled delicious.
"Mummy."
(Mom.)
Eliška's mother was cooking at the stove, and turned to them. She had brown red hair that was bound to a shoulder length ponytail, and was wearing a dark red wool sweater and blue jeans. "Oh. Přivedl jsi někoho s sebou?"
(Oh. You took someone with you?)
Eliška gave an answer. Lincoln understood nothing. He only noticed that Eliška blushed extremely.
"Jo. On je… Lincoln je můj přítel."
(Yeah. He's...Lincoln is my boyfriend.)
Eliška's mother denied.
"To je nádherné."
(That's wonderful.)
Eliška's mother stretches out her hand to Lincoln. He shook her hand.
"Chello. My name is Tatiana." Tatiana said with broken English.
"Hi...I'm Lincoln." Lincoln said nervously.
"It's... uhm... it's..."
Tatiana was having trouble. But Eliška helped her out.
"It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you Linkoln." Tatiana said.
She waved him to her. Lincoln went to her. She pointed to the pot. A dark soup was cooking in the pot.
"What is this Eliška?"
Eliška went to Lincoln and looked into the pot.
"Something great. Pork soup. Salty pork soup with carrots and potatoes. There's both better than this."
Lincoln and Eliška started helping Tatiana with cutting the onions. They threw the cut onions into the pot. Lincoln started to smell a strong onion smell. His eyes started tearing up. Lincoln went away from the pot.
"That's spicy stuff."
"It's perfect." Eliška said.
"Díky za pomoc, Lincoln." Tatiana said.
"Thank you for the help Lincoln." Eliška translated.
Eliška's father entered the kitchen. He was soon, and was wearing orange construction clothes with silver safety stripes. He looked at Lincoln and pointed at him.
"Ahoj. Kdo je tam ten malý kluk?"
(Hello. Who's that little guy there?)
Tatiana answered while looking at the pot, where she was focused on.
"Eliška ho přivedla s sebou."
(Eliška brought him with her.) "On je můj přítel."
(He is my boyfriend.)
Her father looked at Eliška, and then at Lincoln.
"Doufejme, že to není takový blázen jako ten poslední."
(Let's hope he isn't a piece of s* like the last one.) Eliška guided Lincoln to her father.
"Je to velmi milý člověk."
(He is a very nice person.)
"Neřekl jsem nic jiného. Mimochodem, je příbuzný s jedním z Rumunů, kteří žijí v naší čtvrti? Vypadá jako on."
(I didn't say anything else. By the way, is he related to one of the Romanians that live in our neighborhood? He looks like he is.)
Eliška looked to Lincoln.
"Do you have Romanians in your family?" Eliška asked.
"No…Only Scottish and American." Lincoln answered.
"Ah. Only looks similar." Eliška's father said.
Lincoln stretches his hand to Eliška's father.
"I'm Lincoln."
"My name is Oldřich."
Lincoln gave him an odd look. He wasn't sure if he could even pronounce that name.
"Nice to meet you." Lincoln said.
"Why is he here?"
"I wanted to introduce him to you and mummy." Eliška said.
"Oh. Okay."
After some minefield they sat down on the table and started the dinner. Lincoln gave the soup and looked awkward. He took a spoon and tried. It was decent.
"Salty, a good salty…." He ate another spoonful of soup.
"Tastes like pork. Great."
He turned to Tatiana.
"Thanks for making such good food."
Eliška spoke to her mother.
"Lincolnovi se to libí."
(Lincoln likes it.)
Tatiana answered in Lincoln's direction.
"Diky Lincolne."
(Thank you Lincoln.)
"I had a very good dinner here. But I have to go. It's time." Lincoln said.
"Okay. Wanna take some soup with you?" Oldřich asked.
"No. But thanks for the offer."
"Bye Lincoln." Eliška said and hugged him.
"Bye. Take care of you Eliška."
Lincoln went to the door.
"Bye little guy." Oldřich said.
Rita took a chocolate cake out of the oven and put it on the counter. Alison and Darcy decorated it with chocolate glazing and some sprinkles. They let it cool down. Alison noticed all the time that Darcy was looking archer belly. Now she mentioned it.
"What's going on with you?" Darcy asked and pointed on Alison's Belly.
Rita and Alison looked at each other.
"You have to decide if you want to." Rita said.
"I don't. There's nothing."
"Why does it look like a balloon?"
"Ugh... I have a baby. That's all."
"Why does it look like a balloon?"
"Ugh... I have a baby. That's all."
"Wow. Really?"
"Yes. For real."
"I can't wait for you to become a mommy. This has to be awesome." Darcy said excitedly.
"Kinda..."
"I think it's not even a month anymore." Rita said.
"Yes. Right..." Alison said with wide eyes, and looking at the floor.
"Are you okay?" Rita asked.
"Yes. Everything's alright."
Darcy touched Alison's belly.
"Ha. It feels funny."
Alison felt uncomfortable. Rita noticed that.
"Could you please stop?" Rita asked Darcy.
Darcy stopped. Rita looked at the cake.
"It's still hot."
Amira was sitting in front of her computer and was playing a flight simulator.
"My new job definitely won't be as fun as being a pilot."
She turned her Airbus 340 on her screen a bit, and looked down on the ocean.
"I just wanted to be a pilot."
She looked at the aircraft.
"Doesn't happen anyway. I'm not good enough."
It was knocked on the back door of the garage. Patrick entered her garage. She looked at him with a bored look. Patrick waved at her.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"How are you doing right now?"
Amira thought for a few seconds, and gave an answer.
"Sometimes good sometimes bad."
"When do you move away?"
"I assume in one month."
"Great Lake City is far away."
"I know."
"How are you getting there?"
"I already found a company that does transport me and my belongings."
"That's good news?"
"Exactly."
"Are you able to visit us sometimes?"
"Probably every four months or so. So, yes."
"Wow! Every four months?" Patrick asked shocked.
"Something wrong with that?"
"Yes!"
"And what is it?"
"You should be able to visit us more often than that."
"I have six weeks of vacation. And two are preserved for Christmas."
"That's not fair."
"Not fair? That's a lot!"
"What do you mean?"
"Some people only get five or four weeks off from work. I can be happy to have six."
"You choose your job over your family!"
"Oh yeah? Tell that to dad! He is just flying. He wasn't here for almost a year! While I was de facto your mom!"
"You are unbelievable!" Patrick said hurt, and left the garage.
Patrick entered his home ten minutes later. He immediately saw his Mother Klara.
"Mom! Amira moves away and won't come back for a visit often!" Patrick said angrily.
"Oh. Okay." Klara said.
"What?! That's okay for you?"
"The moment Amira was eighteen, your father and I left for work. I stopped working because you got Alison pregnant. But we both were never here."
"She only has six weeks of work break."
"That's nice."
"Nice? What's nice about that?"
"That's a lot."
Patrick screamed in rage. Klara held her ears closed.
"That did hurt."
"Good!" Patrick yelled.
"You are louder than a Boeing 747! Cut that volume or you're grounded!"
Patrick ran in his room.
Rita and Alison finished their job, and talked with Darcy's mother in the kitchen.
"You did pretty good. And the cake looks awesome."
"Look mom! It's made of chocolate entirely!" Darcy said excitedly.
"That's great Darcy."
"She was well behaved. As usual." Rita said.
"Yeah. It's like Rita said." Alison said.
"Hey, Alison. I wish you all the best when and and luck. Especially when taking care of your baby."
"Thank you."
Alison and Rita said goodbye, and left the house. They walked down the sidewalk.
"A nice day. Not gonna lie." Alison said.
"Yes. Indeed."
"Will I do a good job of taking care of my child?"
"Sure."
"I guess… it's not bad after all to be a mom… right."
"You know, when I ask myself if my decision was right, I look at my family. Then I get an answer."
"What do you mean?" Alison asked.
"Think about it."
Alison thought about what Rita said.
"Oh. I get it."
"It was the right one."
They both said goodbye to each other. Alison went home, and changed her clothes to fresh ones. She went in the living room, where her mother was watching bodycam footage of police shootings.
"That stuff again?" Alison asked.
"Yes. Reminds me of my good times." Constance said.
"Never mind. I'm on a date with Patrick."
"Okay. Just take care of you three."
Alison looked at her belly.
"Three because of her."
"Yup."
Alison left the house, and went to Patrick's home. She rang the doorbell. Klara opened.
"Hi." Klara said.
"Hi. Is Patrick here?"
"In his room. He got himself in trouble."
"What happened?"
"Go ask him."
Alison entered the house and went to Patrick's room. He was laying mad on his bed.
"Are you okay?" Alison asked.
"I'm totally okay." Patrick said mad.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing!"
"Tell me!"
"I said a fact and that's why I'm here."
"What fact?"
"That Amira had chosen her new job over her family."
"Oh. That's unbelievable!" Alison said angry.
"It's typical for her."
"Are you gonna do anything about it?"
"What can I do? Amira will not listen to me."
"Right… She doesn't care about us."
End of chapter