Acceptance: the skeletons in Lynn's closet Chapter 3

As Lynn was sobbing into Lori's arms, Lori tried to think of something to say. But before she could Leni came into the room and hugged Lynn from behind.

Leni spoke with a kind and gentle tone as beautiful as the flowing wind "Lynn you have nothing to cry over, I love you. Lori loves you too. Stop feeling like you are disgusting, or useless. For most of my life my ADHD was something I had to struggle with. I convinced many people that my condition was a sign of a low intelligence. But I always hated pretending to not notice, to ignore it. I know you had no idea that your "stupid sister", was simply suffering a concentration problem. My sister knew of my potential. Maybe that is the reason; the reason we are so close. But my issues do not matter. What matters is that there is nothing wrong with you."

Lynn was happy about the way her sister felt, but she was worried. She was afraid that Leni was not the only one to find out. She lost one friend; to lose a sister would have broke her heart into two pieces. Lynn had to face the music with Leni, hopefully it was just Leni, and Lori who were aware of her secret.

Lynn asked Leni in a very depressed, but kind tone " L-Leni can I ask you a question, is it just you and-"

Lori finished for Leni; after all she was just as ignorant as Lori was just a few minutes ago. "Leni just found out a few seconds ago, I did too. We will not say a word. That being said, if you want to talk about it. We are here; always".

Lynn was extremely happy about this. Lori would just accept her, just like that. It was a beautiful display of sisterly kindness.

Lynn thought for a minute about what Leni just said to her. And the more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt. She remembered every insult, every joke, every patronizing sentence she gave to Leni. And she was kind enough to accept her without question.

Lynn looked to Leni with her head down. With this look of shame Lynn spoke up "Leni, I had no clue about this, I always assumed you were dumb. I said so many horrible things. Please, I know I do not deserve it. But could you find it in your heart to forgive me"

Leni just smiled and in the same beautiful tone as before spoke " I already have. That being said I appreciate the honest regret."

Lynn was very happy because of her reconciliation with her sister. She had been through a lot in a short time. Lynn decided to pick her allies.

Lynn wanted some advice so she decided to be blunt "Should I tell Lincoln"

Lori replied, pretty sure she was right "It is up to you. I think that he would be cool with it because of Clyde's parent's. But if you are still worried about it. We can come with you."

Lynn replied after a few minutes of thought "Okay and I would love the moral support. But I need to be clear. I already came out, to two of my siblings. I need time to gather some courage."

Leni and Lori both said in unison "it is completely fine if you do not to come out yet. But know you will need to, at some point. Maybe next week. Maybe next month. But it needs to happen"

Lynn simply nodded before saying "Okay just a little time. Thanks for the support. I am going to go outside now. I could use a jog to clear my head."

Leni and Lori nodded, after a few minutes when Lynn had left Lori looked to Leni.

Lori needed a second opinion "Leni, last year coming out to someone made her lose a friend. That so called friend, told her to stay away. She came to school with a bible and a sharpie to prove that she was somehow an abomination. Just like that she threw her friendship to the wolves. For loving girls, I think she is a bigoted piece of trash. Afterwards she told Lynn that if she would stay away from her she would not tell her secret. Warning her that her secret would come out, if she so much as looked at her again. I don't want to bring her out of the closet. But without a push I doubt she will leave. Secrecy is her best form of comfort."

Leni was saddened by the ignorance of some people and she spoke with a bit of anger in her hurt voice "First off, whoever decided to unfriend my sister for something as trivial as being gay is a bigoted jerk. And if I ever find out who did it. They will pay!" With that declaration out of the way she softened and spoke with a kinder tone "that being said I agree. She needs a push. But we can not be too intrusive. If we overdo this, we might make her mad at us"

Lori pondered her words and said "Listen Leni, I think we simply need to observe and collect data. We will make three lists. The first one will be titled safe. It is obviously who can be told about her little secret. The second list is the maybe list, and the last list is the do not tell list. We will get everybody we know she gets near and assign them to said list. When we complete it. We will give Lynn the list. What do you think?"

Leni answered "It is a good idea. But how can we be sure? What cues will give away how open we think she can be with them"

Leni emphasized her point "remember, we can't get this wrong"

Lori thought and said "it is the best solution I can think of; that is without being directly involved with this situation at least. We will simply have to look for the signs. Maybe even ask a few subtle questions to get a few hints."

Leni thought for a while. She had no counterpoint to this statement and simply nodded

Lynn had started on her jog, when she noticed the familiar jacket of Ronnie Anne; Lincoln's girlfriend. Lynn had not extensively talked to Ronnie. But she had always assumed they would get along.

Ronnie looked curious and sympathetic and spoke in a caring tone "are you okay. your eyes are puffy. Should I get Lincoln. whatever it is, that kid can always make people feel better. After getting fired last week; Lincoln talked to Bobbie for a good four hours. He never made fun of him for crying; I mean he was balling and Lincoln talked to him like he was his brother. And in a way, he actually is".

Lynn was conflicted. On one hand, Ronnie was right. He was kind and could always make her feel so much better about herself. On the other hand Lincoln did not know she was gay. and as she learned already. That was looked down on by some people. She however, had a different fear with Lincoln. She had no doubt considering her best friend's parents; that Lincoln would accept her for who she was. The problem was that his confidence in the Loud family was very optimistic. he might try to push for her to come out. He might just do it for her to prove that they were not against it. But maybe she was being too pessimistic. After all he did not mention anything during their Sibling meetings to discuss secrets among each other. Then again he did tell some pretty bad stuff when Lori and Leni had a fight a while back. This back and forth in her mind went on for a while, and it was confusing Ronnie Anne.

Ronnie Anne was now concerned more than before; she waved her hand in Lynn's face.

Ronnie looked at Lynn and said "Lynn, are you okay"

Lynn finally snapped back into reality and started to speak "Listen Ronnie, I am not mad at anybody. I like you as a person you are a respectable person. And you treat my brother with respect. I hope you are okay if I consider you a friend. But I need to ask you this as a friend. Please, do not ask about why I am upset. Let's just jog and talk as friends, okay"

Ronnie smiled after hearing how she was viewed by Lynn. She was glad to reply with confidence "Lead the way friend"