The confidence that Lynn felt was overwhelming, almost as much of the looming anxiety she would have to overcome to improve herself. While she ate her breakfast she decided to tell Harold and Howard about the truth. It was not a hard decision. Considering the obvious. "Harold; Howard. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed this. Also I would like to tell you something"
Howard was ecstatic because he already knew. He was listening in to the conversation at the door. He wanted her to get through it as it was probably hard on her. It certainly was hard on them. Harold just his husband and they shared a quiet smile. "Anything you want to tell us. Howard and I are at full attention"
Lynn felt butterflies in her stomach and actually had to remind themselves that she was coming out to gay people to breathe and get over her anxiety. "I am..." she huffed out some air for nerves and relief "gay"
She felt tension and realized she was being hugged. It felt great to be accepted. "Howard and I are so proud of you Lynn. You have an ally and we have experience. Also don't think you are alone. You are actually the third member of the loud family to voice a similar situation"
Lincoln was surprised. Lynn he could guess a mile away. Luna made the bread crumbs. Lincoln could deduce the rest... but there is a third gay person, or bi person in the house. Not that he cared, he just wondered why Lynn was the only one to be so progressively open about it. It almost seemed like there was a reason for everybody being less open. Whatever the reason. Lincoln would find out. He may be able to be helpful to two sisters in one go.
As Lincoln was lost in thought a Lynn waved at his tranced face "Yo I am going to jog. I texted Ronnie. You wanna join us."
Lincoln smiled and nodded "Sorry, I thought about what Harold and Howard said and I wonder who else in the family is gay. There might be a reason they are quiet and they may need help".
Lynn nodded "I agree but let's find out who it is first. Who knows My whole coming out thing might entice them to tell me; you know, kill two birds with one stone".
Ronnie ran up and hugged Lincoln "What's up Lincoln, wanna join us. hahaha I said that like you have a choice"
Lincoln laughed and they headed off to jog Lynn got to thinking on their way to burping burgers"...Hey. Ronnie. Would you maybe come with me for moral support".
Ronnie felt bad but had to decline "I am sorry but Lincoln asked for help with the girls because they love me so much, If I finish early I will head up to meet you".
Lynn nodded and said "Okay, but remember if you finish early alright"
They finished their food and spoke of mundane things to pass the time, and Lynn and Ronnie were surprised to hear that Ace Savvy is interesting. And Lincoln was surprised to hear that at one time Ronnie and Lynn were athletic rivals. They never were malicious about it, they motivated each other simply with the other's presence. Right up until about a year ago when Ronnie quit because of her fading interest.
They finished talking and parted ways. Meanwhile at the house of Loud. Lori and Leni were discussing how to make an excuse for Rita and Lynn. Lori spoke up first "I say we be straight up about meeting pop-pop. It is not a lie"
Leni was daydreaming about her day "Yeah sure..."
Leni thought she heard Lori throw out ideas but she was lost in her own world as she calculated every possible thing that went go wrong "leni"; it sounded like a whisper. "Leni" and she felt shaking and she realized she was dazed for 10 minutes "Son of a bi-"
Lori smiled and said "It's okay, ADHD and anxiety are not a good duo. Just calm down, take your meds and try to think"
Leni tried not to cry but she failed badly. Lori freaked and hugged her "What's wrong"
Leni responded "Everything, I can't pay attention long enough to tie my shoes. People talk to me like spelling my name is a constant challenge for me. I can't help it. I always feel them. You don't do it. You used too. Everytime I talk to my parent's they laugh it off. They know what's wrong with me and they don't do anything about it. They did not correct anyone and they still won't. They have to know I am not stupid, they are the ones who buy the damn medicine in the first place. I don't want validation. I just want to exist, I don't want to be the punchline. I want to be Leni Loud, that is it. I don-"
Lori interrupted "I kno-"
Leni was not done "You don't understand...You can't. I can't correct them because they will laugh. I can't tell mom or dad because they probably think that the rest of the family is joking. Amazing how oblivious you can be when no one pays attention". You probably think this outburst came out of nowhere. Please answer the question, How do you think the rest of my day went..."
Lori was freaking out "I don't know" her head downcast to prepare for the relay that would hit her like a bomb.
Leni half balling; half yelled "Lincoln apologized and so did Leni, They explained to me later that they were wrong and they changed. As for everybody else but you...I came home from school after acing an arithmetic test and a biology in AP courses. Told them about it and everyone's response was to say Leni; AP. Phhhh. Get real. No offense but I doubt you could ace a urine test. I laughed because what else could I do. It was the nervous cut it out laughter but it didn't matter. I ran up the stairs so I wouldn't cry in front of my family, wouldn't want to look stupid again. Than, I was so distressed I tripped on the stairs and hit my leg. I got up and headed to the bathroom to heal up. I bandaged up and left. I walked in here to clear my head. Let go of my frustrations but my ADHD is just a constant reminder why I am seen as intellectually inferior and it makes me so mad. I am in AP, I am top of my class. What am I doing wrong"
As Leni wiped the tears from her eyes she heard a beep. She looked down to see a phone. "Lori, what are you doing"
Lori responded "Stopping this. You were docile about it for almost a decade and kindly brush off your problems because you don't want to deal with familial conflict. Well you deserve to be happy and your family need's to know that they are affecting you. They clearly never listened to you for more than 10 minutes... I have, you are charming, intelligent and funny. About time the rest of the family knew how you really felt. You may disagree with me. I can't stand how nice you are, you always ending up getting hurt".
They hugged for about ten seconds and Lori said "I will deal with them. You sit here. We'll hang out for an hour. I will call Sydney and we can talk like we used too."
Leni nodded and crawled in her bed. Lori on the other hand stomped down the stairs and said "Family meeting...Now"
She pulled the documents to prove the validity of Leni's Test claims. "Any questions"
Luan did "Alright, who did the forgery".
Lori was a little mad and now she was livid so she pulled out a phone and laid it on the table "Mom; Dad, you might want to sit. I don't think you'll like what you hear".
She played the tape and glared at everyone. She watched as the color drained from every face in the room even Mom and Dad's. "You allowed them to believe this stuff about Leni and she was letting it happen for years. When the dam broke I had had enough".
Lori pointed to Rita and Lynn "You two, you knew and you did nothing".
They looked at each other and said "I thought they were just ki-"
Lori was mad now "No you didn't. There is no way you didn't know. You just assumed Leni would deal with it".
They lowered their heads and said "I am sorry, we were wrong".
Lori finished by saying "don't say that to me. Say it to the shell of Leni in the bedroom; Day after day and week after week. I would have lost it years ago. You all should be ashamed"
They were ashamed. They did that to their sister. They all rushed to apologize for it one by one. everyone except for a certain poet. When everyone left, A noise could be heard in the vent. than it popped open and Lucy fell out. She did not open the vent right and she lost her balance.
Leni caught her. Lucy told her softly "I am sorry for the darkness you had to travel. I hope I did not send you shadows. It will be a long trek. All you need to do is take a step".
Leni smiled and said "Thanks; and thanks to Lori, I think I just did".
Lucy than told them "By the way I spoke with the spirits and they said. You guys know something. First Lynn and now you. I think you might be involved in Lynn's situation".
They nervously laughed and said that is funny. I think you are making things up.
Lucy smirked and said "I am lying. Not about the spirits, but I was the "rat" in the vent last night. Lori caught me, at least I thought so until now...Well things aren't so dark and grim for Lynn, not with you guy's. At least to the degree of my penny dreadful's".
They smiled at her and marked Lucy for safe. Just than Sydney showed up to them and ran to Leni to hug her. "Who, hurt you"
Lori told her to calm down and they told her every detail and it made her very mad.
Sydney half yelled "Why, Why. It takes 5 minutes to clear up something like that. Nope, easier to assume. Easier to ignore her. Ooh it makes me so mad"
She sat down and sang Landslide by Stevie nicks. It helped Leni get it all out. By the time she finished, she curled up in her lap and took a nap. They used to do this all the time so it took Sydney by surprised. She patted Leni's head just the same though.
Lori said "Don't worry about the thing. Lynn has school in the morning so we can do it than".
Leni nodded. Sydney looked to Lori and asked "what about Lynn"
Lori said in a whispered voice "Lynn is gay". Sydney listened and nodded in understanding and said "I see. It is not my place to judge. I hope she is doing okay".
Lori responded "I don't know if she is or isn't. I know she is doing better. She came out to a few people. Other's figured it out".
Sydney said "I hope you'll let her know I have her support".
As they had this conversation Lincoln and Ronnie came to the house to find people that looked like they went through a heck of a lot of stuff and he looked at everyone and said "Guy's what happened"
Luna responded "Lori gave us all a wake up cal regarding Leni".
They decided to wait on this meltdown to cool before attempting to drop another bombshell to Lana and Lola, one of them is notorious for her loose lips.
They headed up to find Leni an absolute mess and they had to know why. So they entered and said and Ronnie said. "what happened"
Lori pulled out her cell phone and pressed play.