Thread:TheMaximumMatt/@comment-31647719-20190120212804/@comment-32807753-20190126180030

"Thank you," said Rita, giving Lynn a nod before turning back towards Lincoln. "But Lincoln," she continued, maintaining her stern tone, "you have to accept responsibility for what happened, too."

Lincoln bore a guilty grimace. "I do," he said with a sigh.

"You carried on with that lie for a week," said Lori, whose interjection made Lincoln shrink deeper into the couch. "What did you think was going to happen?"

"I-I don't know," said Lincoln, as his eyes darted every which way. "I guess I didn't think that far ahead."

Before Lori could respond, Leni stepped in to request a turn to speak. "Can I ask him a question, too?" she asked, raising her hand.

"Go ahead," said Lynn Sr.

Leni got out of her seat and walked closer to Lincoln. As she approached, the worry-borne wrinkles in her face became clearer.

"My question is... why?"

Lincoln blinked. "Why what?"

"Why did you lie just so you wouldn't have to come out and, like, support us?"

As she spoke, her bottom lip extended about an inch from her face. "Don't you like spending time with us?"

Lincoln winced. He already felt guilty enough for what he did, but that question just twisted the knife even further. It was rare that he saw Leni this hurt, and he knew that he was to blame.

"I do!" he cried, desperate to reassure her. "Really, I do. I just needed some time to myself, that's all. Don't I get to have my own interests, like the rest of you?"

"Sure you do!" said Luna. "But next time, if you need a little space, you can just ask."

——————

Lincoln: “You can’t just push us away like that! We’re family bro!”