Kapitel 22: The Eldest Son, Leonard

Back at the Lincoln's house.

Rodora had been arranging a bouquet quite some time now.

It's time for her to visit her son's grave.

***

Its been 10 years since the death of her eldest son, Leonard. He was Lyndon's twin brother. He died because of an 'accident'. She remembered so well, when she was to learn that she's giving birth to twin baby boys, she was the happiest mother on earth. Leonard came out to the world first and followed by Lyndon in just a matter of 3 minute interval.

Leonard was a happy child. Sometimes rowdy and rough but the innate of the child was kindness. However, Lyndon had a weak heart and he often stayed in the house unable to play outside like his big brother. He's always in bed and his favorite pass time was reading books. He often read about management books, unlikely to his age.

When they started schooling, Leonard often engaged to fights and brawls outside. He will go home with cuts and bruises leaving Rodora in a hapless state. She didn't know what to do with him that time.

As for Lyndon, he originally wanted to go to school but due to his poor health, Rodora let him home school. He obediently followed his mother's wishes back then. He obediently took his meds and performed the exercises he hated ever since he came to know about his condition. He did this all because he wanted to experience high school life. Due to his perseverance, he successfully recovered from his heart ailment. He then requested his father to enroll him to the same school as his brother. His father agreed.

At that time, Leonard became uncontrolable. He became the headache to their father. He was involved in gangs. He led the local gang to cahoot with the mafia. He was also involved in drugs and assaulting women. He became astray. As for the reasons, still a mystery to family until today. They couldn't believe that their kindhearted son would result to violence. They only accepted the fact when he was caught red handed by the police, sending him to a juvenile center.

***

Lyndon had a normal highschool life, though for the others, he's a lame and pathetic man. It was also the time he met Misha but Leonard took the liberty on all of it. He pretended to be Lyndon. He was the one who came to Misha's house, taught her and ate all the delicious food she had prepared for him before. Lyndon started to be stressed and it eventually took a toll on his body. He almost got sick again but he was lucky enough to have stronger immune and respiratory system than before. He only suffered minor setback. He immediately stopped going to school.

It only stopped when Leonard encountered his ominous fate.

It was right after when he rejected and ridiculed Misha.

Leonard was on his way home when two motorcycles were rushing towards him. He was caught off-guard and it knock him out. The riders then, fired a shot on his limbs them on his abdomen and finally on his head. The culprits rode away after their crime was committed leaving the lifeless Leonard behind.

His body was discovered after 2 days. It was reported by a couple who noticed the rotting Leonard in the sidewalks.

Soon after, they knew that the boy did encounter bigger fish on the sea. He was silenced. They didn't file any lawsuit to avoid more chaos and protected Lyndon with their might. They were afraid that they will come after him because of their resemblance. They sent Lyndon abroad to recuperate and to study as well.

The loss of her first child is not an ordinary pain. She was condemning herself as to what could she have done wrong. Rodora felt she was left out before. She felt like she was kept in the dark.

What for?

For her not to get hurt?

They didn't know, she was already hurt beyond imagination.

As for today, she's barely holding on to little memories of her son. She's been trying hard to accept the fact that there are certain truths that can not be revealed.

She then headed out and went straight to the cemetery carrying the bouquet she made. The solemnity on her face is clearly visible.