As Luck Would Have It

[Lucky Lindy]

This is a re-post of a thread started back on the old site. If you recognize it, great news! It's back! If it's new to you, hope you'll stick around!

[Lucky Lindy]

The day Emily Van der Lindt’s daughter was born was the day her family was complete. Emily, née Vernon, had the image of a perfect family in her head, and it included a son and a daughter. The fact that they would get along famously was just icing on the cake. She had been prepared for at least some jealousy when her second child was first born. After all, it would be such a big change and it was only natural when first born children felt a little left out when all the attention seemed to go to the new baby. But that was never the case. Throughout the years, her children rarely ever fought, or bickered, or even disagreed. A small part of her thought it was too good to be true and simply couldn’t last. Rather than dwell on it and spoil what might possibly be the most perfect pair of siblings, she decided to simply enjoy it for as long as she could.

Emily only had experience with her own siblings and the memories were rarely pleasant. The youngest of four daughters, she witnessed a lot of arguments and, at times, all out wars between her sisters. For the most part, she tried to avoid getting involved. Occasionally she would be the peacemaker/tie breaker when they cornered her and made her choose a side, but if she could find a way to escape, she wasted no time doing just that. So it was no surprise when she met her future husband, the relationship moved quickly.

Had he been anyone else but a Van der Lindt, her parents might have had reservations when the three month courtship turned into a six month engagement. Not that it would have carried weight with Emily. She was head over heels and determined to break away from her old life to start a new one. Her sisters were torn between being happy for her and griping about the absolute scandal of their baby sister having the audacity to get married before any of them. Luckily, appearances were important to them and it simply wouldn’t do to make a fuss and get themselves kicked off the wedding court, or worse, elope and rob them of the chance to meet eligible bachelors! None of them would put it past Emily to do just that. The wedding was divine and the honeymoon a blur of passion and bliss. No one was surprised when her first child was born nine months to the day after their wedding.

[Lucky Lindy]

Warren Pierce Van der Lindt IV was a legacy. He was named for his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Every one of them a man’s man. The kind of men who had martinis for lunch and made business deals over cigars at the country club. Men who knew how to put a woman in her place and turn a boy into a man. Men who needed other men to validate that they were indeed men. Manly men.

So, naturally, when his two year old son needed a surrogate to help him deal with the anticipation of his baby sister, Warren didn’t hesitate for a moment to get him a life-like baby doll with bottles and little cloth diapers. His iron gaze challenged anyone, man or woman, friend or relative, to question his choice as a father. His son was happy, his wife was happy, and that was all that mattered. In truth, he was just as excited for his daughter’s arrival as little Will was. The two would snuggle at bedtime and tell each other stories about when the baby would arrive. Warren would tell stories of how the baby would grow up and be a part of their family just like Will. Will would tell stories of how the baby would have superpowers and go on adventures all over the neighborhood.

One night in particular, Will fell asleep before he got his turn at storytelling. Warren just continued whispering softly about his hopes for his children and how much he loved both of them. When he finally kissed Will’s forehead and slipped quietly out of his room, he was misty-eyed and smiling. When he reached his bedroom, he closed the door with a soft click and smiled at his incredibly pregnant wife. She looked up at him with every intention of returning his smile when she saw an expression of concern pull his mouth down into a frown.

“Warren, sweetheart? What’s wrong?” She patted the bed next to her and he obliged, slowly sinking into the covers. After a moment of contemplation, he turned to her and frowned again.

“If Will already has me wrapped around that adorable little finger, what’s going to happen when the baby is old enough to team up with him?” He was genuinely distraught for a brief moment before both he and his wife dissolved into laughter. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into an affectionate side hug. As their laughter subsided, Emily looked up into his eyes and sighed contentedly.

“Do you hope it’s a girl or a boy?” She asked. Warren smiled and gently pulled her chin toward him with his index finger.

“I hope it’s happy and healthy, just like our first amazing child.” With deep affection, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Emily smiled and simply gazed at him in admiration for what seemed like a lifetime. Finally, she spoke again.

“I hope it’s a girl.” They looked at each other unblinking and burst into laughter anew. The sound and movement spurred the baby into activity, making her parents fawn and laugh even more.

[Lucky Lindy]

William Nilson Van der Lindt was two and a half years old when he became a big brother, a duty he took directly to heart. His mother spent months preparing him for his little sister’s arrival with promises of big boy tasks such as holding the burp cloth and fetching clean diapers. He was so excited he could hardly contain himself. It was actually his father who had the brilliant idea of giving him a doll to practice with.

Will loved the doll. He carried it with him everywhere, talking to it, showing it his toys. He even tried to feed it raisins. His parents would explain to friends and family members that he was getting ready for the new Van der Lindt baby, which Will would echo with eagerness the new ‘Vandy Lindy baby.’ Eventually, his parents would simply call the doll Lindy baby.

When the big day arrived, Will could feel it in the air. He seemed to know even before his parents did. He was anxious and energetic from the moment he woke up. He refused to take a nap when he had never put up so much as a fuss before in his life. At dinner, when he refused to eat his favorite meal, or anything at all for that matter, his parents knew something was wrong. His father reached over to his high chair and put a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder.

“Will, what’s wrong, sweetheart?” He tried not to frown as his concern grew. Will, wiggled in his seat for a moment before looking his father in the eye, a no-nonsense expression contrasting comically with his adorably little toddler face.

“Time for Lindy baby.” He said, matter of factly. His parents didn’t think anything of the declaration. He said it often enough throughout the day whenever he wanted to play with his doll. His father smiled and spoke in a firm but gentle tone.

“It’s time to eat, Will. You can play with Lindy baby after dinner.” Again, a fairly common conversation as of late in the Van der Lindt household.

“No,” Will, insisted. “Time for real Lindy baby.” He pointed to his mother’s swollen belly. His father chuckled softly and began to explain very patiently.

“I know you’re excited to meet the new baby, but-”

“Warren?” Something about the tone in his wife’s voice and the knowing smile on his son’s face made Warren Van der Lindt pause. It was time!

[Lucky Lindy]

Henrietta Penelope Van der Lindt was born with her cord wrapped around her neck. Twice. Doctors and nurses moved about the delivery room with tense expressions and hushed tones. Even after they had cut the cord away, freeing her, she still didn’t make a sound. She was lethargic and unresponsive. Her mother was growing more nervous by the minute. She wanted to hold her baby girl and no one would bring her over or even tell her what was happening. Tears flowed freely from her eyes. She turned to her husband in silent plea and he immediately launched into a flurry of questions.

“Why isn’t she crying? She should be crying. You cut the cord off her neck, she should be crying now, right? Why isn’t she crying?!” Despite his best efforts to stay calm, Warren was beginning to panic. He hadn’t even had the chance to meet his daughter and already he might lose her. The doctor put her hands up, gently urging him to calm down.

“Please, listen, Mr. Van der Lindt,” she began. “Yes, your daughter’s neck is free of her umbilical cord, but that’s not the problem. While she was moving through the birth canal, her cord was compressed. We need to put her on oxygen immediately. We will keep you updated of her condition, but right now we need to move quickly. Do you understand?” She spoke firmly but not without compassion. Warren Van der Lindt said nothing, but nodded and stood aside.

“My baby! Warren!” Emily cried, panic rising in her voice. He rushed back to her side and held her as she sobbed into his chest. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head and did his best to keep his voice steady as he spoke.

“It’s going to be alright, my love. They’re going to take good care of her.” He said for her sake as much as his own. He even managed a smile for her, despite the spiraling thoughts that plagued him. He imagined having to go home without their daughter. Having to explain to their son why they were empty handed. Having to find a way to bring his family through the unthinkable.

[Lucky Lindy]

In the NICU, Lindy was quickly put under an oxygen hood and kept under close observation. Almost immediately, she started showing signs of improvement. She didn’t cry or fuss. She began looking around and kicking now and then. She would yawn and stretch luxuriously. Even her color was better. The maternity nurses couldn’t help but pause and admire the gorgeous baby with the rocky start. It seemed everything was going to be just fine. Just as she was at the cusp of making a complete recovery, the entire hospital lost power.

After the initial shock, most of the staff simply shrugged it off. Surely the generators would kick in any moment. As more time passed, people, staff and patients alike, grew increasingly worried. What seemed like hours passed, but really was only a minute or two, and two men with flashlights, a wrench, and a lot of jingling keys scrambled down the hallway toward the utility stairs. Except, that wasn’t where the utility stairs were. After a few befuddled seconds, the pair turned and scrambled to go back in the direction they had just been, arguing with each other..

During this ill timed scramble, one of the men stumbled and fell, sending his flashlight spinning across the hall. The second man tried to leap over him but jumped a bit too soon and only succeeded in landing on the first in what was essentially a belly flop. Loud grunts of pain and consternation could be heard all the way to the nurse’s station. Where the head nurse stared in disbelief at what little she could see. The entire debacle could be seen from The Van der Lindts’ room. In any other situation, they would have laughed hysterically as they imagined Benny Hill music playing along. Instead, Emily and Warren stared, horrified, frightened for their daughter’s life. The head nurse had had quite enough. Picking up the flashlight that landed nearby, she marched over to the buffoonish maintenance workers and whispered sharply.

“Get it together, gentlemen!” The last word said very pointedly. Before they could launch into protest or begin blaming one another again, she reached out and, with the strength of an ox, yanked the first man to his feet. He stood, cowed and awkward, as he watched her repeat the same action with the second man. Now looking quite sheepish, they both winced in unison when she glared at them and made a single motion with her free hand, ordering them to follow her. With full confidence, she led them to the correct location of the utility stairs and mocked them with an ‘after you’ gesture. Both men mumbled their humbled thanks and hurried through the door, echoing each other’s proclamations of who told who so.

[Lucky Lindy]

Back in the ICU, things were frighteningly quiet. Nurses very carefully moved about, trying to check on all the babies. Most were under UV lamps, others on warming tables. Only one was currently in need of oxygen. Most of the maternity nurses were set to task holding the babies that were supposed to be warming. Mercifully, some of the babies began to whimper and cry, showing signs of life and vitality. Not a sound came from Lindy’s direction.

Fearing the worst, one of the nurses picked a careful but determined path toward the newest resident. She ignored the commotion caused by the bumbling maintenance workers and the much deserved scolding from the head nurse. Deftly avoiding wires and machines, bassinets and fellow nurses. In her mind she kept reassuring herself as much as the baby that she was coming. She was almost there.

Nearly at her destination, the maternity nurse felt almost a jolt as the emergency generators finally kicked in. Then came the slow, steady vibrations a split second before lights and machines beeped and hummed back to life. All except the NICU. The nurses held their collective breaths as it seemed every other room in the maternity wing returned to normal functionality. Cheers and cries of joy could be heard from the delivery and postpartum rooms, even the Van der Lindts’. The young nurse finally rounded the crib with the oxygen hood and could not sense any signs of life in the darkened room.

Panic set in. She nearly cried out when, at long last, the NICU lit up and it felt like Christmas and the Fourth of July. She braced herself for what she might find in the quiet little crib. Peering in, the nurse could not help the gasp that tore from her lips. For there, in the bassinet, lay a calm, bright-eyed Lindy, staring up at the nurse. Her intense hazel green eyes, squinting in the regained light, sparkled with life and wonder. The young nurse smiled down at her as relief washed over everyone in the maternity ward.

[Lucky Lindy]

“Please, don’t cry, Henny Penny!” Little Will Van der Lindt pleaded with his sister. A nearly two year old Lindy sat on the ground, sobbing over a scraped knee. Will sat down next to her and gently put his arms around her. She leaned into her big brother and continued to wail and wail until Emily came rushing toward them.

“What happened, my darlings?” She crouched down and inspected the pudgy little toddler leg with the raspberry scrape.

“I’m sorry, Mommy! I was going too fast and Lindy baby was following!” Tears formed in Will’s eyes. The thought of hurting his little sister was too much to bear, and although the sight of their mother had calmed her to a whimpering sniffle, both children were completely distraught. Emily smiled and reached to scoop up the sniffling little girl, then stood and held her hand out to her son, helping him to his feet, and led them both inside.

“It’s alright, sweetheart. It was an accident. All we need is a bandage and a lot of hugs. Think you can help me?” She squeezed his hand reassuringly. With his free hand, Will wiped his eyes and took in one long sniffle before nodding. From the grill nearby, Warren called out his concerns only to be reassured all was well as the three most important people in his life disappeared into the house.

Fifteen years later:

“Please, don’t cry, Henny Penny.” Will Van der Lindt pleaded with his sister. A seventeen year old Lindy sat on her bed, sobbing over a box of various items that either belonged to or were given to her by her boyfriend. Will sat down next to her and gently put his arm around her. She leaned into her big brother and sniffled.

“He slept with my best friend, Will!” She choked out through tears. Will was at a complete loss. It was beyond his comprehension how anyone could hurt his little sister. He considered himself lucky to be the doting big brother of the sweetest, nicest, most creative young lady he had ever known. It made absolutely no sense. He was torn between fighting back his own tears and fighting back the urge to find this idiot and break him.

“He’s not worth it. And neither is she. Forget them both because neither one of them is worth your time… or your tears.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze and managed a smile.

“Hey, do you remember when we were kids and Mom and Dad caught us snooping around for our Christmas presents?” He did his best to catch her eye. When she finally did look up at him, a puzzled look and tear streaks on her face, she could only nod and wait for him to continue.

“Remember what they said?” When she shook her head, he smiled in earnest at the memory.

“They said ‘those gifts are as much for us as they are for you. The look on your little faces when you open them is better than anything we could ever ask for.’ Do you remember?” Lindy nodded slowly, still not making the connection. When he gave no further explanation, she sniffled again and wiped her eyes.

“What does that have to do with this?” She asked, incredibly confused. Will chuckled and ducked his head for a moment before looking at her again.

“Nothing, really. I guess I just wanted to take your mind off of it for a bit. Did it work?” He raised his eyebrows expectantly. At first, Lindy was irked and opened her mouth to complain. Instead, only a cautious chuckle came out. She shook her head and, despite the absurdity of it all, began to laugh in earnest. It wasn’t long before both of them were roaring with laughter, tears in their eyes, but this time for entirely different reasons. Lindy held her sides and Will leaned on her as he doubled over.

Will let his arm drop and they both sighed, sore and exhausted from laughing and crying. They stayed quiet for many moments, sitting side by side until Lindy chuckled softly and shoulder bumped her big brother, a smirk tugging at the side of her face. He shoulder bumped her right back, his own smirk mirroring hers. Without looking up, she spoke one last time before she would eventually kick him out of her room and take a long nap.

“Thanks, Willy Nilly.” Will snorted in response, and canted his head toward her.

“Anytime, Henny Penny.”

[Lucky Lindy]

“Henrietta Penelope Van der Lindt…” The crowd cheered as Lindy crossed the stage to receive the blank, rolled up piece of paper that was to symbolize her diploma. The real thing would come in the mail later. There were chants of ‘Lindy! Lindy!’ and only one ‘Alright, Henny Penny!’ She smiled and shook hands with the dean of students who congratulated her wholeheartedly. Lindy was graduating with honors and was ranked 4th in her class of 300. Granted she missed Valedictorian by a few marks, but she and her family were still very proud. It was definitely good enough to get her into an excellent school.

After the ceremony, Lindy picked her way through the crowd, looking for her family. Friends and faculty alike congratulated her and tried to strike up a conversation about future plans and summer freedom before the adventure that college promised to be. She politely accepted their well wishes and thanked each and everyone, but made it very clear she was not sticking around for a conversation. It was her graduation day and she was going to hug her parents and her big brother!

At long last, she spotted her three favorite people in the world standing under a shady tree. It took all her strength and composure not to run and leap into their arms. She was grinning ear to ear when she finally joined them and embraced her mother. Emily tried to hold back tears as she held her daughter. Will and Warren closed around them in a full family hug, letting go only when it became awkward and uncomfortable and all four were laughing. When they finally all stood and straightened themselves up, Warren was the first to speak.

“We are so proud of you, lovebug.” He declared affectionately. Will and Emily nodded their agreement and Lindy simply smiled.

“We should get going, sweetheart, if we want to beat the crowd to the restaurant.” Emily gently urged.

“Um… mom? I was thinking…” Lindy began and trailed off. She was so sure she could do this until she saw her mother’s crestfallen expression. Panicking, she looked to Will, her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes pleading for back up. Before he could chime in, Emily began to protest.

“Oh, Lindy, honey, don’t tell me you don’t want to go to your own graduation dinner. We’re going to your favorite restaurant!” Immediately, Emily’s words made Lindy’s not so firm resolve waiver and practically dissolve. Much to Lindy’s relief, her father weighed in.

“Emily, sweetheart, maybe Lindy would like to go out with some friends. After all, it is her night.” He put a gentle hand on his wife’s shoulder.

“I know it is, I just thought we would all have a nice dinner together one last time before…” One look at her husband’s face made her trail off. Emily sighed in defeat and shook her head, a small, wistful smile on her face.

“You’re right. It is Lindy’s day. What is it you would like to do, darling?” Lindy’s face brightened and she immediately waved someone over. A petite, bubbly redhead popped up seemingly out of nowhere, wearing a matching graduation gown. Both girls smiled widely at Lindy’s parents, putting their best faces forward.

“Jen is having a party at her house.” Lindy prompted. Jennifer Donovan’s copper curls bobbed wildly as she nodded.

“Yup, it’s totally safe Mrs. V, I pro-OH, MY GOD! Is that Will?” Jen’s jaw dropped as she unabashedly fawned over her oldest friend’s big brother who had been quietly hanging back during the conversation.

“How’s Dartmouth treating its most handsome student?” Jen asked, an overly flirtatious tone to her voice. Will reddened and stammered a bit and before he could give an answer Jen gasped dramatically.

“You should totally come to my party! My brothers will be there and you can tell everybody what a hot shot you are at college!” She winked salaciously before turning to Emily and Warren for approval.

“Well, I suppose if Will is going to be with you…” Emily began. Jen didn’t wait to hear the rest. She squealed with joy and grabbed Lindy by the wrist, shouting her thanks over her shoulder. Lindy, too, called out her thanks and blew kisses to her parents. Before they could panic, Will jogged after them, chuckling softly and shaking his head. Following suit, he shouted reassurances over his shoulder, leaving the pair standing there, worried and proud.

[Lucky Lindy]

The Donovan house was complete madness. There were kids everywhere. On balconies, in the pool, flooding nearly every room in the house and even spilling out into the front lawn. The music was loud, underage drinking was rampant, neighbors were grumbling. In the eyes of the party goers, a great success. When Will and Lindy had first arrived with Jen, there had only been a few cousins in attendance. Now all they could do was gape as fiery red head beamed at them.

“Isn’t it great?!” Jen gave a broad wave of her arm. The red solo cup seemed to have permanently attached itself to her hand. She offered it to Lindy who tried to refuse it at first until she realized it wasn’t really an offer but more of a command.

Lindy eyed the cup warily

“C’mon, Lindy love, loosen up! We’re finally free and we’re going to have the time of our lives! WHOO!” Jen’s whoop was met with an echoing chorus of the same from the other party guests.

Will and Lindy exchanged glances. With a roll of his eyes and a soft chuckle, he put a reassuring hand on Lindy’s shoulder and gently nudged her forward. With her partner in crime by her side, Lindy relaxed and they both headed into the fray.

Two hours later, Lindy was on her 7th solo cup. She seemed to keep losing them or forgetting where she set them down. In reality, Will was right behind her every time she took her eyes off her drink. He was there to scoop it up, dump it out, and hide the evidence. He didn’t mind his little sister having a few drinks, he’d done the same at his high school graduation, but there wasn’t a snowball’s chance he’d let anything nefarious happen to her and certainly not for his lack of vigilance. Still, the effects of the alcohol she did manage to consume were quickly catching up with her.

Lindy and Jen were dancing by the pool and in very real danger of toppling into the water. A fact that did not go unnoticed by Will and several other party goers. Before he could reach his sister and her friend, an almost primal shriek pierced through the music.

“CANNON BALL!” Jorden Woodward, three time senior who didn’t so much graduate but simply aged out and was promoted out of the school system, tackled both girls into the water. When they broke the surface sputtering and coughing, Jen was the first to recover.

“Jorden! You jackass! What the hell is the matter with you?!” Jen struggled to push her mess of soaking wet copper curls out of her face.

“Aw, come on, babe! That was funny!” Jordan did his best to smile charmingly but only managed to highlight just how sloppy drunk he was.

“It was not!” Jen kept shouting. “That wasn’t even a cannon ball, you idiot!” She looked around to find Lindy just sort of sitting in the shallow end of the pool, in a bit of a daze. She slipped her arm around her friend’s waist and grabbed her wrist, coaxing it over her shoulder to lift her up and out of the pool.

“Will!” Jen shouted at the young man torn between beating the obnoxious Jorden within an inch of his life and helping the two girls safely out of the pool. He wisely chose the latter. He reached for Jen’s outstretched hand and, when she was close enough, took Lindy’s arm from around Jen’s shoulders and put it around his own.

“Time to go, Henny Penny.” His words firm but not unkind.

[Lucky Lindy]

The car ride home was a true test of Will’s patience. As soon as her pool soaked bottom hit the car seat, Lindy whined and complained the entire way. She insisted she was too cold and needed the heater, then the heater was too hot and she needed the AC, the seat belt was uncomfortable, Will did not budge on that one, the music on the radio sucked, she was hungry, she was cold again. Will was doing his best to keep his temper.

“I have to go to the bathroom.” Lindy insisted after Will had opted to ignore the last few complaints she had.

“Will? Will! I have to peeeeeee!” She drew out the last word in a pleading tone.

“We’re almost home.” He kept his eyes on the road.

“But I have to pee nooooooow!” She wailed.

“Lindy, it is 4am! Mom and Dad are gonna be so pissed! We need to get home, period! I am not stopping, so quit whining and just hold it!” There was a long pause and for a moment Will thought she had fallen asleep. It would have been a mercy. Instead, Lindy had one last complaint. Gone was the whine, her voice now dead serious.

“I think I’m gonna throw up.”

“Hey, look! There’s a gas station!” Will said a little too brightly as he pulled in, barely remembering to lock the doors as they both raced inside.

Will stood guard outside the bathroom door, wondering more than once if he should check on his sister and make sure she didn’t fall asleep. Just when he began contemplating a quick knock, the door burst open revealing a much chipper but not much more sober Lindy.

“I’m starving!” She exclaimed, as she headed for the isles of chips and snack cakes.

Will groaned as he pushed off the wall and followed her close behind.

“Lindy, come on! Mom and Dad are probably losing their collective shit right now! I don’t even have my phone so I can call them to let them know we’re okay.”

“What?! Why don’t you have your phone?!” Lindy stopped and whirled to face Will, her arms laden with snacks.

“I don’t know, I just forgot it at the house, okay? What’s the big deal, you have yours… oh… Oh, no…”

“Uh, yeah, genius! It’s fried! It was in my pocket when that dumbass Jorden knocked me and Jen into the pool! Oh, my God! They could be blowing up our phones and we wouldn’t even know it! Shit!”

“Forget snacks, we have to go. Now!” Will grabbed the bulk of her haul and shoved it back into the nearest shelf while Lindy nodded and followed suit with the few that remained in her grasp. But before they could even leave that very aisle, the chime of the front door sounded. If they hadn’t been in such a rush, perhaps they would have noticed the odd all black nondescript clothing the two incoming men wore and the stiff way they lurched toward the front counter. But they didn’t. Before either of the men could so much as say a word, the siblings were dashing out the door.

When they got to Will’s car, they both felt their stomachs drop. A black, dark tinted sedan was parked parallel behind them. Lindy began to panic and turned to Will with a pleading look in those intense blue eyes.

“What do we do? Do we go back in and ask them to move it?”

“No.” Said Will, oddly calm and even toned. “Get in, I think I can manage if I just go up on the sidewalk a bit. Come on!” He unlocked the door with the key fob remote and they both scrambled to get into the car. As Lindy sat down, she snorted derisively.

“Jackass.” She mumbled.

“Who me?” Will asked distractedly as he focused on maneuvering his car out of the tight space.

“No, dummy! The license plate. It said JKS 247… Jackass, 24/7? Pretty accurate if you ask me.”

Will glanced over to his slowly sobering little sister and they both began to laugh as they set back out on their way home.

[Lucky Lindy]

It seemed as though the summer was over in the blink of an eye and Lindy and Will were set to start the fall semester, naturally at the same school, of their freshman and junior years, respectively. As they helped load the last of their things into Will’s car, Warren and Emily Van der Lindt fought back tears.

“How did this happen so quickly?” Warren asked rhetorically through a misty-eyed smile. “I could swear just yesterday you two were small enough to fit in my lap.”

“That was yesterday, dear,” Emily chuckled as she swiped at her already reddened eyes. “They’re both just so skinny! I really wish you would let me make you something for the drive.”

Will and Lindy rolled their eyes, despite their matching smiles, but it was Will who spoke first. Lindy for all her declarations of being ready to experience college life, was having second thoughts.

“Don’t worry, guys, I’ll look out for Henny Penny.” He shot a teasing glance at his sister. “Haven’t I always?” He earned around of chuckles from his family, even Lindy as she tried unsuccessfully to glare at him.

“Alright, you two. One more Van der Lindt family hug before you go.” Before Warren could fully open his arms, his wife and children had already eagerly taken up the space within them. There they stayed for several minutes before Will and Lindy gently pulled away. With teary smiles, Warren and Emily Van der Lindt stood at the end of their driveway and waved and waved until the car was out of sight.

That night, after helping Lindy get settled into her dorm room, Will insisted they attend one of the dozens of mixers being held for entering freshmen. The one they both agreed sounded perfect, aptly named ‘Fish in a Barrel.’ The concept was simple. Gather a bunch of entering freshmen and introduce them to upperclassmen. That was it. Simply a chance for students of different levels to interact. Will saw it as the perfect opportunity to introduce his little sister to the right people. Lindy saw it as the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself.

“Do NOT call me Henny Penny tonight, I just want to go by Lindy. Will, promise me!” Lindy hissed a stern whisper to her brother.

“Aww, but it suits you so well!” Will couldn’t keep a straight face if he tried, especially with the death glare she gave him. Laughing, he put his hands up in mock defeat.

“Alright, alright! I won’t call you Henny Penny. I’ll just introduce you as Lindy baby-AH!” His words cut off with more laughter as Lindy jabbed him in his ribs.

“Let’s see if you’re still laughing when I tell all your friends what I used to call you!” As Lindy raised her eyebrows, Will’s laughter abruptly stopped and the smile melted from his face.

“You wouldn’t…”

“Try me… Willy Nilly.”

For a long moment, they stared each other down until finally Will caved. He rolled his eyes and let out a dramatic sigh as Lindy smirked her triumph and when they approached a small group of people, there was a scattered chorus greeting for Will.

“Guys, I’d like you all to meet my little sister Lindy. Lindy, this is Frankie, Declan, and Troy… and over there is Miles, Maddie, Hunter, and Riley.” For the most part, the little group responded with smiles and little waves when their respective names were mentioned, except for Riley.

Riley sat with her arms crossed and her head tilted, a thoroughly unimpressed look on her face. With a clearly forced smile, she gave Lindy a once over with elevator eyes.

“Your parents named you Lindy Van der Lindt?” Riley asked, a mocking tone to her question as she ignored the groans and hisses from the rest of the group. Lindy’s smile never faltered as she sat down next to the girl Will had called Frankie and settled in comfortably.

“No, of course not. That would be really stupid.” Lindy stared unblinking, her smile holding strong until Riley withered and pretended to lose interest. With that small victory under her belt, the Van der Lindt siblings spent the rest of the evening enjoying the company of both new and old friends

[Lucky Lindy]

Lindy settled easily into college life. She quickly made friends, did well in her classes, even caught the eye of an admirer or two. True to his word, Will checked in on her often. They even had an elective course together and typically went to lunch after, catching up on the week’s events and simultaneously sending rapid fire text attacks to their parents with pictures and brief updates. It certainly seemed like life was picture perfect for Will and Lindy Van der Lindt. Naturally, that meant it would all come crashing down.

On one such afternoon at their favorite little hole in the wall Chinese restaurant, Will’s attention was drawn to a news report on the tiny tv caged above the cash register. He had been chewing on a hefty mouthful of Lindy’s won ton soup when he suddenly stopped chewing and went deathly pale. Lindy’s laughter faded as she saw her brother’s demeanor shift and she followed his gaze, her own food suddenly bitter and dry in her mouth.

On the screen was a still from a security camera across the street of the gas station they had stopped at the night of Lindy’s graduation. It showed the two men dressed in black holding what were unmistakable deadly firearms at the cashier. In the parking lot, the nondescript vehicle that had parked sideways just behind Will’s car. It was clear now that it had been an intentional ploy to keep the license plate away from being recorded. But what really had the Van der Lindt siblings trembling with fear was the very corner of Will’s car captured on camera as they drove away. By a stroke of sheer luck, Will’s license plate was not visible either, but when they looked back at each other, it was clear what they had to do.

[Lucky Lindy]

Will drove, Lindy called their parents, and a few hours later, the entire Van der Lindt family sat in an interview room of the local police station. Mercifully, the elder Van der Lindts looked over the glaringly obvious problematic situation that brought them to their present circumstances: Lindy had been drinking underage, Will had been drinking and driving, and both had failed to check in at any point that night. Warren and Emily knew both their children were punishing themselves far worse than they ever could. They also knew how fortunate they were that their children had made it out of the situation completely unscathed.

Little by little, the details had been trickling out on the local news stations regarding the night in question. Nothing was stolen, the cashier had been shot with one clean hit to the chest and another to the head, and the stock boy in the back room had been left alone. All signs pointed to the idea it had been an intentional hit and not a robbery gone wrong.

“The plan is simple, Mr. and Mrs. Van der Lindt,” began a young detective, still wet behind the ears. “We put detail on each of your children and one at your residence until they can testify. We do random checks throughout the day, a quick sweep each night, and safety wake up calls every morning.”

“Is that enough?” Warren put an arm about his wife’s shoulders and glanced at his two terrified children, looking much like the tiny toddlers that had ‘accidentally’ knocked over the Christmas tree 17 years prior. “Shouldn’t they be placed in some kind of protection?”

Detective Lightfoot chuckled lightly. “This is a movie, Mr. Van der Li-”

“Warren. As long as I’m entrusting you with the lives of my family, you may as well call me by my first name.”

“Certainly, Warren. I assure you these measures will be more than enough to keep the four of you safe until the trial is over.” He grinned with a false sense of confidence.

It was clear decisions had been made and no amount of questioning or persistent from Warren or Emily would change anyone’s mind. With wary acceptance, they returned to their home to spend a tense weekend together before trying to return to some semblance of a normal life.

Monday morning arrived in the blink of an eye and it was almost as if the Van der Lindt family was reliving that first day when both children left home for college. Except this time was much more somber.

“You’ll call us the moment you get there, check in with us after every class, before you go to bed, first thing when you wake up, and you are to let us know if you so much as step an inch out of your regular routine.” Emily’s expression was needlessly stern as both Will and Lindy nodded vehemently. Her face softened as she reached for her children and pulled them into a tight embrace, Warren only a half step behind her with an enveloping embrace.

Before long, Will and Lindy were once again piling into Will’s car. Both wondered silently if they would ever be able to concentrate on any of their work. In fact, they both would settle right back into their old routines, with just the added check ins with parents and the officers assigned to them. It wouldn’t be until Thanksgiving break until they thought at all about that terrible night again.

[Lucky Lindy]

The Friday before Thanksgiving marked an energetic exodus for the students at Dartmouth College. Everyone piled into vehicles with cast quantities of dirty laundry and shouted their temporary goodbyes to one another. The Van der Lindts were no different. Save, perhaps, for Lindy’s preoccupation with her phone.

Will laughed as he gave Frankie and Declan farewell hugs before turning to unlock his car with the keyless remote that dangled from his duffel bag. Spotting Lindy and her uncharacteristic frown, his smile faltered as he called to her.

“Everything alright, Henny Penny?” He ventured, expecting at least some form of protest for the use of his nickname for her. Instead, he received a noncommittal grunt as she slipped into the passenger seat.

“Hey, cheer up, will you? We’re gonna have a nice relaxing break and-”

“Mom and Dad aren’t answering.” Lindy cut him off abruptly, the frown on her face deepening.

“What?” Will went from mildly concerned to very worried. With the car still in park, he pulled out his own phone and sure enough, the near constant flow of notifications from their shared group message had suddenly become entirely from only Lindy. “That can’t be right…” He tried messaging them himself to no avail. Warren and Emily Van der Lindt maintained radio silence.

Without another word, he slammed the car into drive and peeled out of the parking lot without so much as a blink from Lindy. She was already busy calling their parents for what was likely the 15th time that afternoon.

It was dark when they finally arrived and not just outside. Not a single light was on in the Van der Lindt home. Will parked in the side of the street and they both stared at the pair of vehicles in the driveway that belonged to their parents. They turned to each other with matching expressions of fear and dread before wordlessly springing from the car, leaving the doors flung open, and sprinting toward the front door.

Light, nimble Lindy reached the door first. But when she reached for the handle, instead of grabbing it, she watched as it easily swung away from her with a soft creak. Before either of them could react, hands, seemingly dozens of them, reached out and grabbed both of them, roughly pulling them from inside.

It took a moment or two for their eyes to adjust. But the weeping, they heard loud and clear. Will and Lindy stared in horror as their parents’ figures came into focus. Tied up and mouths taped, they both were wracked with sobs. Emily shook her head in denial, almost willing her children far far away. The figures responsible, the very same that dragged the Van der Lindt children into the house, stood nearby wearing all black. There were three this time, and the largest one said nothing but raised his weapon and pointed it directly at Warren Van der Lindt’s head. His family all simultaneously erupted with cries and pleas.

The figure next to him, new to the group, put a staying hand out, earning himself a withering glare until he spoke. “Let me do it, yeah? Gotta let me make my bones sometime.”

The other two shrugged in passive agreement and the larger man finally spoke. “Make it clean. You,” he pointed at the remaining figure, “start trashing the place. I’ll get the car.”

Without wasting a moment, the remaining gunman lifted his weapon and in two rapid consecutive pulls, shot first Warren, then Emily square in the chest. Will and Lindy stood frozen in fear, despair, and shock as he took a step toward them. Lindy felt a strange sensation build deep within her chest. She suddenly felt a primal strength brewing and a desperate need to feel her nails sink deep within the eyes of the man who had just shot her parents. But before either of them could do anything, he leaned in with a strange almost warning look in his eyes.

“Sleep tight, kids.” He whispered before sending off another pair of rapid gunshots. First Will. Then Lindy.