An exhausted girl walked up the steps of the porch where her Goth sister Lucy was writing in a dark purple notebook. "Hey Luce," Lynn Jr. said tiredly. Lucy raised her head to acknowledge her sister.
"Hello Lynn, Pop-Pops making chicken soup for dinner," Lucy replied before returning to her writing.
Suddenly Lynn noticed the notebooks color.
"She usually only buys black ones," she thought before walking through the open front door.
It was completely silent in the living room with nobody there. She entered the kitchen to greet Pop-Pop.
"Hey Junior," Albert greeted solemnly. He was finished preparing the soup and taking a rest at the small table while the soup cooked.
"Afternoon Pop-Pop," she replied.
"I hope Ruth appreciated your help," Albert added. The girl nodded then headed upstairs where she threw her exhausted body on her mattress.
She dozed off but awoke twenty minutes later and heard Rita calling the children from downstairs, "Kids dinners ready."
While everyone at home was eating the soup, Lincoln was getting out of a red car. Zach's mom was driving with him and Zach sitting in the back.
"Thanks for the ride Mrs. Harper," Lincoln said cheerily.
"No problem Lincoln," the red haired lady commented before Lincoln departed.
Lincoln opened the front door with his house key and heard Rita's voice from the dining table saying, "Since Pop-Pop's staying until Monday evening you're all attending the community center day camp on Tuesday."
Lincoln could see the back of Lynn's ponytail as he approached the room.
"Oh she's back," he thought derisively.
"Hello everyone," he greeted, "What's for dinner?"
"Oh you're back sweetie," Rita replied.
"Pop-Pop made chicken soup," Luan responded.
"Wash your hands kiddo and join us," Albert added enthusiastically.
Lincoln washed his hands in the bathroom then returned to the kitchen to retrieve a bowl from a cupboard. He ladled two spoonfuls of soup which was still warm into the bowl and joined the others sitting on Albert's left side.
"Thanks Pop-Pop for making dinner," the twins and Lisa chanted after everyone finished eating.
"It tasted delicious," Lincoln added.
"Thanks kiddos," he replied and smiled at them.
"Luan and Luna please clear the table and wash the dishes?" Rita asked then glanced at the younger girls and thought, "They have been cooped up in the house all day. They need some fresh air."
"Lucy, Lana, Lola and Lisa, we're going to the park," she announced. The twins perked up.
Lynn Jr, still exhausted decided to change into her sleeping clothes and go to bed. Lincoln decided to read a book of scientific wonders Rusty bought him for a birthday gift in his bedroom.
Rita removed Lily from her high chair and proceeded to leave with the other younger girls. Reaching the park, Rita told them, "You can run around for a while but stay where I can see you."
As she watched Lana and Lola enjoying themselves on the swings while Lucy and Lisa just walked around suddenly Rita recalled Teresa's statement," "Rita, you might love your daughters but most people don't like aggressive girls so do something about it."
Then reality hit her like a ton of bricks. "She's right the girls cannot go on being this aggressive with almost everyone."
"Fifteen minutes later she was calling them, "Girls, we're going home."
Upon returning home, Lucy returned to writing in the purple book. Lisa and Lola began reading while Lana looked at her returned cell phone. Rita decided to read a story to Lily while Albert sat on the porch listening to an oldies station on his radio.
That evening Leni was dropped back home by her friend Jackie at 7:45 pm and went to bed instantly. Lynn Sr, Lori and Luna returned at 9:20 pm. Everyone was fast asleep since the television and DVD remained inactive since Rita unplugged the cords and hid them in the suitcase she bought on vacation.
"What a night," Lori whispered. She was whispering to avoid waking up Lincoln who was sleeping on the couch.
"Yeah sis, my hands are dry from washing so many dishes," Luna whispered.
"Good night girls," Lynn Sr. told them.
Before falling asleep, Rita decided to mention the unpleasant encounter with Teresa Hart with her husband the next morning after breakfast. Not wanting to wake her, Lynn Sr. crept into the master bedroom, slipped out of his clothes and changed into his pajamas before getting into bed.
Sunday morning…
Rita and Lynn Sr. were awakened at 9:30 by their alarm clock and were out of bed in fifteen seconds. Rita headed upstairs while her husband heading downstairs. Lincoln was awake since nine a.m and began reading a comic book immediately.
"Good morning Linc," Lynn Sr. said a little wearily
"Morning dad," the boy replied, "I think I'll help with breakfast, "he thought.
"Dad I'm helping you with breakfast," he said earning a small smile from his father. He washed his hands in the kitchen sink then Lynn Sr.
From the refrigerator both Lincoln removed some eggs to begin scrambling them while Lynn Sr. got sliced ham. Soon breakfast was prepared and the father was calling from the bottom of the stairs, "Everyone breakfast's ready."
The girls ascended the stairs quietly which they had been doing since the extreme punishment was handed out.
While everyone enjoyed the breakfast with hot cocoa made by Lincoln Albert asked Rita and his son-in-law, "Rita, Lynn Senior could we find some time to talk about those important matters?"
Lynn Sr. became a little apprehensive.
"How about after dinner?" he said, then Rita had a bright idea.
"We could go to the restaurant since it will be closed," she suggested.
"All right then," Albert replied. The grandfather had only been at the restaurant once and that was on opening night.
"And I'll buy dinner at Aloha Comrade after I drop Luan off," Lynn Sr. announced.
"Lori you're in charge when were gone," Rita told her.
"They're probably going to discuss Lynn threatening me with the baseball bat," Lincoln wondered.
Soon breakfast was eaten and Rita asked," Girls you can clear the table after our morning exercises, everyone get ready except you Luan."
Since Luan was performing at the birthday party at three pm Rita decided not to exert Luan before leaving at two p.m.
"Honey could I speak with you?" Rita asked her husband in a low voice. He nodded and followed his wife outside until she stopped at the garage door. She turned around and began speaking.
"I don't want the kids hearing this conversation. Yesterday I met that Mrs. Hart at the supermarket. At first she was friendly by asking me how the kids were but when I answered they were doing fine she began judging our parenting by saying we should consider sending the girls to boot camp because they need the discipline they aren't getting from home," she spoke with an annoyed tone.
Her husband managed to squeak. "What?" then paused for two seconds.
"When I told her how don't judge our parenting she implied that we were okay with them acting like hooligans, I got upset and said don't call them hooligans because she doesn't have to deal with ten strong-willed girls," Rita continued.
"What else?" her husband asked but wasn't upset.
"She said they might wind up behind bars if we don't control their wild behavior, then thank goodness Robyn interrupted her. Robyn told her to stop upsetting me. Before leaving Teresa said most people don't like aggressive girls and that we should fix the problem," Rita continued. "Anyway Robyn and I exchanged a few words before leaving."
Lynn Sr. sighed then remarked, "I'm really sorry you had to endure that honey."
A moment passed before Rita said, "We should start our exercises."
Seven minutes later everybody except Albert and Luan were in the back yard carrying water bottles.
"Let's take a power walk around the house," Rita announced.
After two rounds Rita said, "Let's drink some water."
"Now let's do some jumping jacks," Lynn Sr. said afterwards.
When everyone completed twenty five of those, he said, "That's enough kids go inside and freshen up." Inside Luan and Albert had cleared the table and were washing the dishes.
Lincoln rushed into his room after drinking more water. While changing out of his sweaty clothes he decided to start working on constructing a model ship he received from Liam as a birthday gift. Forty minutes later he had to use the bathroom then returned to his room. Albert was at Ketcham Park. An hour later Lincoln's eyes became weary and decided to take a break.
2 pm
Lincoln please help me load Luan's things," Lynn Sr. asked as the boy finished eating a ham sandwich.
Once the van was loaded Lincoln told Luan," Good luck sis," before their father drove off with her. Upon dropping off Luan Lynn Sr. headed to Aloha Comrade.
Back home Lincoln and Lori helped their father carry in the food. Lynn Sr would warm the food close to dinnertime which was four thirty every Sunday.
Later...
Albert was playing checkers with Lori while the other kids were just sitting around the living room when Rita announced, "Dinners ready."
"I'll always enjoy this food," Lori said with satisfaction when everyone's stomachs were filled.
"Dad I think we should leave now. Lori, Leni and Luna could you clear the table," Rita spoke. Lynn Srs. apprehensiveness appeared again.
Minutes later Vanzilla was turning into the parking spot at Lynn's Table reserved for Lynn Sr.
Stay tuned for the conversation between the Loud parents and Albert.
