Chapter 34 has been updated
Chapter 35
As Lincoln, Clyde, and Zach waited outside the schools entrance waiting for their rides, the joyful voices of the kindergarten children enjoying their recess surrounded them. Rusty and Liam left immediately since they stayed behind to clear their lockers yesterday
"So Lincoln your birthday is Saturday are you having a party," Zach asked curiously.
The boy in question shook his head before responding, "No my parents cannot throw one this year because of the financial problem."
Suddenly Albert's station wagon came into view alongside Harold McBrides red van.
"My rides here see you tomorrow guys," Lincoln chanted, picking up his heavy bag.
"Bye guys," Clyde added throwing his stuffed bag over his shoulder.
Albert and Harold stepped out of their vehicles to assist the boys with their belongings.
"Hey Lincoln did you enjoy the party?" Albert asked while lifting the plastic bag containing Lincoln's graduation cap and gown draped over the boy's right shoulder.
"Yes Pop-Pop, me and Clyde had fun," Lincoln responded.
"Kiddo, I know your birthdays Saturday but we cannot throw a party since your folks can't be there," Albert inquired.
"Every year Dad cooks a birthday breakfast for us and mom and when it's his birthday, we always do one for him," Lincoln remarked.
"All right Lori and I can make you a special breakfast," Albert added.
"Thanks Pop Pop," was Lincoln's response.
Lincoln grabbed his heavy schoolbag from the back seat with Albert carrying the graduation cap and gown. Lincoln dropped the bag onto the floor beside his dressing table and decided to unwind by taking a nap, Lincoln kicked off his sneakers.
Sometime later, Lori departed to pick up the others after putting Lily down for a nap as Albert began preparing dinner, tomorrow the other teachers at Royal Woods Elementary were throwing class parties for their students.
A few hours later when the McBrides finished dinner, Clyde cleared the table and his fathers cleaned the kitchen while Clyde loaded the dishwasher Harold placed the legal document regarding Lincoln and Lucy's guardianship on the table. Harold sat in the chair on Howard's right.
"Howie this is it, another life changing decision for us," he eagerly declared.
Howard stopped filling out the document at a certain point then asked, "Have you decided when Lincoln and Lucy should move in, how about June 30?"
'No I want them to spend the Fourth of July with Albert and the other girls, what about the day after Clyde's birthday," Harold admitted.
Howard contemplated the suggestion for a moment with his brow knitted, then his face lit up.
"Okay it's settled," he said resolutely then wrote July 6, 2017 in the space provided.
After filling out the entire document, the couple sat down and watched their favorite nightly news program on TV until it ended.
"Howie, remember the incident last year when we took Lincoln with us on winter vacation and after Clyde rescued us and Lincoln we promised to scale down drastically on the overprotectiveness?" Harold asked.
"Don't remind me, I needed therapy from Dr. Lopez for two days," Howard responded, then shuddered.
"I'm thinking since Lincoln and Lucy will be a part of our family we should stop being overprotective, tomorrow I'll remove the seat belt from the bar chair Clyde sits on," Harold continued.
'But that's to prevent Clyde from falling off and spraining an ankle," Howard protested.
"Howie, the possibility of that happening is slim, the seatbelt goes," Harold insisted.
"Okay but anyone can slip in a bathtub so Clyde's bathmat stays," Howard demanded.
"Fair enough Howie, let's find what to wear tomorrow then go to bed," Harold replied.
The next morning, Lincoln awoke at ten thirty a.m. and wondered why it was so peaceful and quiet.
"Where's everyone?" he mused, scratching his forehead.
His question was answered when he saw a note left on the kitchen counter beside a covered plate.
"Linc, Lori took Lily to the park and I'm running some errands – Pop-Pop."
Lincoln made scrambled eggs and placed one strawberry pop tart in the toaster and warmed some milk. After eating Lincoln washed the items he used, showered then logged onto his laptop intending to speak with Clyde.
"Hi Lincoln, cannot talk right now, my dad Harold's giving me a haircut," Clyde explained.
"I understand buddy," Lincoln responded, then logged off.
"That bites, what should I do now to pass the time?" Lincoln wondered.
Lincoln dumped the contents of his backpack onto the floor, threw the bag under his bed, then stored the items away.
Soon Albert returned from the local pharmacy where he purchased shaving cream, a graduation and birthday card for his grandson then a gallon of chocolate ice cream at the supermarket. Seeing Lincoln's bedroom door slightly ajar, Albert peered inside the room and saw him playing Muscle Fish. He rapped on the door lightly causing Lincoln to glance upwards.
"Hi Pop Pop," Lincoln greeted.
"Hey Lincoln, "Albert said walking in and placed the envelopes with the cards on the dresser, then noticed his grandson needed a haircut.
"Could you come with me kiddo, I'm giving you a haircut," he said next.
Wordlessly Lincoln paused the game and followed him into the bathroom, a few minutes later Albert was done and ordering pizza while Lincoln resumed his game.
Later at Royal Woods Elementary, Vanzilla arrived for the younger girls. After picking up Lynn from the middle school, then the other girls at the High school, Lori began spewing out instructions.
"All right listen up, Lisa, Lola, Lana, Lucy you're using the bathroom first, then you Lynn then Leni, Luan and Luna. I already took a shower," she said authoritatively.
A few minutes later Lori's sisters came barging through the front door excitedly and tossed their schoolbags carelessly near the front door.
"I smell pizza," Lana declared enthusiastically, but Lori grabbed her by the back strap when the tomboy began making a beeline towards the dining room.
"Everyone, go and wash your hands first," Lori commanded.
After their early dinner, Lincoln was the first to brush his teeth, he managed to slick down his signature turkey tail while styling his hair. Being the first one ready Lincoln, wearing a green shirt with his usual jeans underneath his navy blue graduation gown, patiently waited for everyone on the couch. Finally the others gathered downstairs and beamed at Lincoln wearing his graduation cap and gown.
Albert hugged his grandson, "I wish Marie was here with us to see you graduate," but their heartfelt moment got interrupted by the telephone which Albert answered.
"Hello, Officer Ingram," he began, which alerted the others.
They crowded around Albert and heard Officer Ingram saying, "Open the door there's a surprise waiting for all of you."
After exchanging puzzled glances they followed Luna who opened the door and became shocked at the couple standing there.
"Mom, dad," they yelled gleefully, then became hesitant to rush forward to embrace them due to the previous court order regarding Lincoln.
"Oh you can hug us girls, but Lincoln sorry, the court order is still in effect," Rita said.
Breaking apart from their parents embrace, Lori declared, "We should literally get a move on, we can snap pictures later."
Only few cars were parked in the schools parking lot when everyone arrived. Officer Ingram found a spot beside Vanzilla.
"See you guys later," Lincoln said, departing.
While he exchanged a few words with his friends, Mrs. Johnson announced, "Graduates please take your seats, we're about to begin."
During Principal Huggins twenty minute speech where he droned on about readying themselves for the world beyond fifth grade, some students like Zach began zoning out, while some desperately wished to text or play games on their phones, but weren't permitted to bring their phones. After Superintendent Chen closed the ceremony, the graduates holding their certificates tightly returned to their families or chatted for a while with friends.
Howard and Harold were beaming with pride and joy when they approached their son.
"Congrats Clyde," Howard said.
Ronnie whose seat happened to be located almost in the back row approached Lincoln and his friends.
"Hey everyone congratulations, nice hairstyle, Clyde," she said grinning.
"Congrats yourself," Lincoln said, then glanced at his watch, "Well my family is waiting."
"Bye Lincoln," they replied in unison.
Rejoining his family, Rita and Lynn Sr. beamed with pride.
"Congratulations sweetie," Rita gushed.
"I'm proud of you kiddo," Albert beamed.
Lori announced," Lets snap some pictures."
Like the previous time they waited until the crowd thinned considerably after Officer Ingram snapped two photos, one with Albert and the entire family and one single photo of Lincoln. After entering the separate vehicles, Lily began nodding off.
"Kiddos how would you like some ice cream when we get home."
With a rousing cheers coming from his grandkids, Albert grinned and soon they arrived home.
Saturday morning – Lincoln's birthday
Lincoln awoke at ten am feeling refreshed with sunlight pouring through his window. Shielding his eyes from sun's glare Lincoln donned his robe then stepped through the door. He was greeted by Luan and Lana who just finished eating breakfast.
"Happy Birthday Lincoln," they cheered wholeheartedly.
"Thanks girls," he answered.
"Hurry your special breakfasts waiting," Lana remarked.
Excited Lincoln washed his hands and face. Entering the dining room, Lincoln noticed everyone else gathered around the table with broad smiles across their faces.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINCOLN!" they all cheered.
Placed before Albert's chair, a plate with two pancakes, two poached eggs, bacon and a bottle of maple syrup and Lincoln's mug filled with hot chocolate waited for the birthday boy.
"Wow thanks guys," Lincoln managed to utter.
"Hey bro you can have unlimited access to the TV tonight," Luna said.
"Thanks Lunes," he replied while pouring maple syrup onto the pancakes.
"Enjoy your breakfast Lincoln," Leni said cheerfully.
Albert sat beside his grandson and asked, "How do you plan on spending the day," but the phone rang at that moment. Getting up, Albert answered the phone.
"Hello Mr. Morgan, its Clyde, is it okay if I invite Lincoln to the arcade at three this afternoon? Tell him I invited Ronnie Anne too," Clyde asked.
"Sure it's okay son, I'll pass on the message," Albert replied.
Later – 3: 15 pm
All chores were completed with Lincoln being exempt from doing his and Lynn taking on the garbage, Albert relaxed on the couch watching cartoons with the younger girls when the phone rang. Sitting closer to the telephone the grandfather stretched his hand out and casually picked up the receiver.
"Good afternoon Sir I'm Albert Morgan, how can I help you," he replied in a cordial manner.
"Good afternoon Sir, am I speaking to the guardian of the loud children?" a pleasant female voice sounded over the phone.
"Yes I'm also their grandfather," Albert responded.
"I'm Officer Garcia from the Royal Woods Police calling on behalf of Judge Callahan. I'm just informing you that your granddaughter Lynn has been scheduled to be taken to Hazelwood at one o'clock next Monday. We're coming directly to your home to pick her up. She cannot bring her cell phone or laptop nor allowed to wear makeup or jewelry but she can bring a couple of toothbrushes and a washcloth. If she wears earrings she should remove them before our arrival," the officer replied.
"All right Officer Garcia I'll relay the information to my granddaughter," Albert said.
"Goodbye Mr. Morgan, enjoy the rest of your day," the Officer continued.
When Albert placed the receiver down he turned to his granddaughters and said, "That's the police, they're coming here next Monday for Lynn."
At this moment Lynn was coming from the kitchen carrying a cherry soda and almost dropped the can.
