Later that night a green sedan drove up to the Loud residence at 9: 20 with Lynn Sr. sitting inside. His reason for coming home that late was because he stayed behind to work on the payroll.
"Thanks Kentauro," he said gratefully before stepping out.
"Not a problem Lynn," his friend replied before driving away.
Inside the house Lynn Sr. noticed Lincoln making up the couch with his sheets.
"Hi kiddo I take it Pop-Pop's here," he asked.
Lincoln replied, "Good night dad, yes he's here."
"Well goodnight kiddo," Lynn Sr. replied before heading to make hot chocolate. After drinking the beverage and rinsing the mug and spoon, he entered the master bedroom where Rita was reading a novel.
"Hi sweetheart," Rita said with a smile.
"Good evening dear," Lynn Sr. replied then kissed Rita on her right cheek
While he changed into his pajamas, Rita asked, "How was your day, honey?"
He replied, "It went perfectly fine, I made an appointment to see the doctor next week Tuesday."
Rita smiled then allowed him a minute to relax once he laid beside her.
"Honey Lincoln and Junior had a terrible fight this evening," Rita said.
He immediately sat straight up. "Really, what happened?" he inquired.
"Lori told us they started fighting because Junior turned off the show Lincoln was watching on the DVD player while he was using the bathroom. Lynn received some injuries from Lincoln during the fight. I took her to the urgent care in case her jaw was broken but she was fine," Rita explained.
Lynn Sr. remained dumfounded for a while. "What is the matter with these girls?" he said peeved.
"I'm sending Junior to Aunt Ruth's on Saturday as punishment to help with chores and she's cleaning the kitchen by herself after dinner tomorrow," Rita explained.
Her husband remained pensive for a moment before saying, "Well at least Lincoln finally stood up to one of the girls."
Rita gasped, then asked, "Are you saying you approve of Lincoln attacking Junior?"
"Well her injuries weren't serious, so I'm not angry with him," he replied.
"So did you punish him?" Lynn Sr. asked after a few moments.
"No, but I unplugged the cords from the TV and DVD player to avoid resentment when " Rita replied. A few more seconds of silence passed.
"Honey I think we should take Lana off punishment, I think she's learned her lesson by now," Lynn Sr. added.
"I guess that's okay," Rita answered, then she remembered something else.
"I told the girls they could stay home tomorrow with dad and they'll attend the day camp on Monday," Rita asked
"That makes sense," her husband replied, then yawned.
"Good night honey," he added before dozing off.
The next morning Lori's friend Whitney drove her and Rita to work since Lynn Sr. was leaving at nine-thirty. Lincoln remained sleeping on the couch until his dad woke him at nine am and told him to sleep in the master bedroom. After Lynn Sr. ate some oatmeal he began drinking his morning cup of coffee. Suddenly Albert walked into the dining room and smiled at his son in law.
"Good morning Lynn," he said genially.
"Morning Albert I hope you slept well," Lynn Sr. replied.
"Yes thanks for asking," Albert responded.
"I left some oatmeal on the stove for you," Lynn Sr. said.
Albert sat across from Lynn Sr. upon returning with the oatmeal and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
Albert took three mouthfuls of oatmeal before addressing his son-in- law, "I take it Rita informed you about the fight between Junior and Lincoln."
Lynn Sr. answered, "Yes she told me, I'm glad Junior's injuries weren't serious."
Albert nodded, then replied, "Last night Rita told me there's an issue with Lincoln getting bullied by the girls sometimes. I would like to discuss the problem with both of you when it's convenient."
"All right then," Lynn Sr. replied.
They ate silently until Lynn Sr. finished his coffee.
"Well I have to get ready for work," he said, before going into the kitchen with his empty bowl and coffee mug.
Luna awoke to sunlight streaming through her window at 10:00 am. Last night Rita informed the girls they were staying home. Luna washed her face then went downstairs for breakfast. Leni had already left for work. Luan and Lincoln were eating pancakes and fried sausages Pop-Pop prepared. Soon the other girls arrived and afterwards, they thanked Pop-Pop for making their breakfast.
"Well, I'm going to the arcade with Rusty and Zach," Lincoln said while rising from his seat. Lincoln was already dressed with his wallet in his pocket.
"Have fun kiddo," Pop-Pop replied, "Girls after you wash the dishes, I would like to have a word with you."
"Okay Pop-Pop," Luan replied.
Twenty minutes after Luan and Lynn Jr. finished in the kitchen the sisters were seated on the couch with Pop-Pop sitting on the small armchair.
"I'd just like to discuss a very serious matter your mom told me about last night."
The girls gave each other puzzled glances.
"Your mom said you bully Lincoln sometimes, is that true?" Pop-Pop asked.
The sisters began fidgeting, then Luna decided to speak.
"Well whenever we ask him to help us with something and he says no or says he doesn't have the time we get angry then we threaten, blackmail or guilt trip him into helping us. I sometimes felt bad about doing it," Luna said.
"And sometimes I play pranks on Lincoln but I do it to everyone," Luan added.
Lynn Jr was next. "It's what siblings do, he seems to deal with it just fine."
"No Junior, you don't know if it affects Lincoln personally and he's pretending it doesn't bother him," Pop-Pop replied, "Ruth and I had to endure Sylvia's bullying and we couldn't do anything about it because my folks thought girls weren't capable of being bullies. Promise you'll stop picking on him okay."
The girls nodded.
"She also mentioned the time you all behaved badly at the supermarket and got the family banned from shopping there temporarily," Albert added, "Luna, Luan and Junior you should realize the three of you are too old to misbehave in public."
"Yes Pop-Pop, we know," Luna replied.
"You're free to go," he said. They rushed to tidy their bedrooms before playing board games. Luan had to perform at a birthday party on Sunday and went to prepare an act afterwards. During Rita's lunchtime she placed a call to Aunt Ruth.
"Hi Ruthie I was wondering since you have back problems if Junior can come and help you with chores tomorrow," Rita spoke.
"Well I could use the assistance," Ruth remarked after a three second pause.
"All right Ruthie I'll drop her off after breakfast, oh and could you take her back home after she's finished. I have to stay with the other kids because Lynn will have Vanzilla that afternoon," Rita added.
"I'll do that sweetheart," Ruth replied, "Bye Rita," then hung up the phone.
Two hours after playing video games at Gus Lincoln was enjoying pizza with his two friends. He decided it wasn't necessary to mention the fight between himself and Lynn.
"I cannot wait to start middle school," Liam declared, "What about you Lincoln?"
"Yeah I wonder how our first day will be like?" he replied.
"I'm so glad you're only working for one more week Lincoln," Zach said.
"Yeah me too, then I can spend more time with you guys," Lincoln replied.
"Say guys how about coming over to my house tomorrow afternoon at one and play video games," Rusty suggested.
"Fine by me," Liam replied
"Me too," Lincoln added. They continued playing games for another hour before heading home.
For dinner that evening, the family enjoyed take-out food Lynn Sr. bought from Aloha Comrade since Pop-Pop hadn't tasted their food before.
"That meal was quite delicious," Albert said with satisfaction when everyone finished eating.
Thanks Albert, glad you enjoyed it," Lynn Sr. replied beaming.
"Lana your father and I decided you're off punishment tomorrow," Rita said
"I hope you learned not to leave Hops at home when we ask you to," Rita added.
"Yes mom I'll listen to you next time," Lana replied.
After dinner everyone rushed off to read in the living room while Lincoln went upstairs to read comics before going to bed.
Saturday morning…
Lynn Jr. was still upstairs laying on her mattress while the others ate a late breakfast. Rita became annoyed upon noticing her absence.
"Now where is Junior," Rita mused.
"She's still in bed," Lucy replied. Rita sighed in frustration before going upstairs to wake Lynn for breakfast.
"Wake up Junior," Rita called while shaking Lynn.
"Whhat!" she mumbled before opening her eyes
"Junior get up, remember you're helping Aunt Ruth today." Rita responded.
"Please don't let me go there," Lynn pleaded.
"Junior, I'm giving you three minutes to get up, wash your face and get downstairs for breakfast." Rita commanded.
"Fine," Lynn grumbled. Once Rita departed, Lynn rose and headed to the bathroom.
After breakfast Rita said, "Lynn get dressed and wait for me in the living room."
Ten minutes later Rita walked into the living room carrying Lily.
"Let's go, Junior," Rita commanded. After dropping Lynn off Rita was going grocery shopping. Lynn reluctantly climbed into the passenger seat of Vanzilla. Lynn remained sullen throughout the entire ride to Aunt Ruth.
"Do whatever Ruthie says," Rita said as Lynn unbuckled the seatbelt upon arrival.
Lynn dragged her feet towards Ruth's house. She waited two minutes after ringing the doorbell for Ruth to answer.
"Good you're here," Ruth said. As Lynn stepped inside,
"What should I do first?" she asked while following Ruth towards the bathroom.
"I need you to clean the bathtub because I cannot bend over to scrub it," she replied, "I placed the cleaning supplies in the bathroom. After you're finished I want you to mow the lawn." Lynn groaned inwardly.
As Lynn Jr. sprayed the cleaner in the bathtub she thought, "Why did I get myself into this?"
