I'll be there for you: When the rain starts to pour -- Winter 1986

Christopher Matthews had somehow managed to save his one nephew from the grasp of his brother and sister-in-law.  He knew that Lincoln would be okay, he was strong.  And if they only had the one child, things would get better for Lincoln, Chris thought anyways.  He looked down at Austin, who was resting from the travels on the couch.  "Are you feeling any better, Austin?" Chris asked softly, wondering what the young boy was thinking.

I looked up from my coloring book and sighed when my uncle spoke to me.  "I'm okay," I said quietly.  I was just worried about my big brother.  I wondered if Uncle Chris would go back for him.  "What about Linc?" I asked, my voice as small as my size.

Christopher sighed sadly.  How could he explain all of this to such a young child?  He bent and kissed the boy's head.  "Your brother is alright," Chris said to him.  He truly hoped that Riley and Genevieve would turn into real parents once the competition was gone.  There would be trials, but Chris did have hope in his brother to do the right thing at the end.  "Let's just focus on you right now, kiddo."

I nodded, trusting my uncle completely.  "I sure hope you're right," I said, still a little worried.  Mother and Father were horrible to Lincoln when I was there... what about with me gone?

Christopher was glad that Austin was able to be appeased so easily.  "Austin," he said, bending down to be able to talk to his nephew better.  "If I hear anything different, I will go back and help Lincoln, too.  Right now I am concerned about you afte rhaving to save you...."

I looked over at my uncle and smiled.  "Okay," I said, coloring my picture better.  "Can I write to my brother?  Let him know that I'm okay?"

Christopher sighed.  Perhaps Austin was not so easiy appeased as he had thought.  "No, kiddo, it's best if you don't talk to Lincoln or your parents anymore, okay?  I'll explain it all in time..." he answered, hoping that it would be enough.

I set my crayon down and looked at my uncle.  "Tell me now," I said simply.  Why was this so complicated?

Christopher just chuckled and shook his head.  "Austin... honey, it's adult things.  It's a little complicated," he responded, hoping that Austin would not continue to question him.

I stared at Uncle CHris for a moment adn then shrugged.  Adult things were normally boring and I did not like to listen to them anyways.  "Okay," I said.  "But, one day, will I be able to talk to Lincoln?"

Christopher smiled at Austin, thinking it best to try to appease the boy.  "One day, yes you can talk to him," he answered honestly.