A/N: Hello everyone, because of uncertainty on how to go forward with the story regarding Mr. Stonewall and because of writers block, big changes are in store. Starting from this chapter and the last one, Mr. Stonewall is out and the girl's punishment will end soon.
Before swinging by the community center to pick up her daughters Rita stopped at the local supermarket and bought a large take-out box with a sufficient amount of barbeque wings in the deli section. She was also cooking some rice and making a tossed salad for dinner.
"Mom I boiled some potatoes, you can just reheat them and make mashed potatoes," Lincoln told her.
"Thanks sweetie I really appreciate that," Rita said then addressed the others.
"Girls you can have something to drink and relax until dinner is ready."
The sisters followed their mom who was carrying the wings and after quenching their thirst with some bottled lemonade, went upstairs to lay down.
Within a half hour later Rita was calling "Dinners ready." Lori arrived home just at the moment the others started eating. Lola sat at a distance from Lincoln during the evening meal seated between Lynn Jr. and Luan.
"Only a few more places to call," Lincoln thought as he consumed the last mouthful.
"Luna and Luan please clean up," Rita instructed them before leaving to work on her novel.
Sometime later, a frustrated Lincoln closed the notebook he'd written the telephone numbers in.
"Well no luck whatsoever, I might as well tell Liam the truth," Lincoln thought despondently, looking at the ceiling of his room while laying on his bed, then came a soft knock on the door.
"Come in." he said before sitting up.
Rita walked inside and inquired, "I overheard you talking to a Mrs. Francis on the phone when I was taking Lily for a bath."
"Yes she's the Manager of an Arrow store in Huntington Oaks. I spent most of the day calling the phone numbers of stores to inquire if the plane was available but everyone I spoke to said they're sold out," Lincoln explained.
Rita sympathized with her son, "I'm sorry Lincoln. If I could think of something to make it up to you."
"You can send the little beast to an orphanage or juvie," he thought wryly in reference to Lola.
Silence reigned for a second until both heard Lily calling, "Mommeee."
Rita responded to her youngest plea by shouting, "Coming sweetheart."
"I promised to read her a bedtime story, night dear," Rita said finally.
"Night Mom, and thanks for being so concerned," Lincoln replied smiling slightly.
Rita closed the door behind her and Lincoln intended to call it a day.
For the second night, Lola slept on the couch.
Tuesday
Liam's mother arrived at the Louds house to drop Lincoln and her son at the library. They reached during the children's free lunch hour and met and two other classmates Darren and Hillary. The quartet enjoyed ham and cheese sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies and fruit punch served prior to entering a children's computer room the classes were held in.
"Isn't Miz Crystal a delight?" Liam admitted to his white haired friend in his unmistakable Southern drawl while they sat in the lounge for a five minute break at two pm.
Mrs. Crystal a charming lady with chestnut colored hair was the instructor.
"Yes I like her patience when someone isn't clear on something," Lincoln admitted.
They relaxed without saying a word for the duration of the break until Darren glanced at his watch and informed them it was time to return.
Classes over, the friends bade goodbye to Darren and Hillary and rushed into Liam's moms car since the rain was falling slightly. Lincoln reached inside the house in the nick of time before a heavy downpour started.
His phone began vibrating and Lincoln glanced at the screen. It was a text from his mother saying, "I'm swinging by Burpin' Burgers so don't fix anything for dinner."
Putting the phone on his dresser, Lincoln removed his slightly clothes and donned some dry ones. After that he threw his body on the bed then fell into a deep slumber.
The rain had ceased completely and the sun was shining again by the time Rita and the girls arrived home. Lincoln was still asleep.
"I just realized how silent the house is when we aren't making noise," Luna mused.
"I wonder if Lincolns home," Rita asked while the others made a beeline upstairs to wash their hands. She peered inside the bedroom door and beamed upon seeing his sleeping form.
Rita thought," I hate having to disturb him but he should eat his burgers and fries before they get cold," then began shaking his left shoulder.
Lincoln opened his eyes slowly and recognized Rita as the person waking him.
"Honey get your burgers and fries before they get cold," Rita urged.
He rubbed his eyes lightly then rose to a sitting position. Walking towards the bathroom he heard his sister's voices behind the closed door.
"Stop splashing me," he heard Lola's shrill tone which made him decide to wash his hands in the kitchen sink instead.
While everyone happily chowed down on their favorite fast food Lori arrived home with a boxed dinner. On the journey home Whitney suggested they buy something at Penny's for themselves.
Everyone was preparing to scatter in various directions after dinner but Rita had other plans.
"All right kids before you leave I'd like to speak with you after I put Lily down for a nap," Rita began then picked up the toddler.
"I wonder what mom wants to talk about." Lana said when Rita was out of earshot.
"Probably she and dad decided to end all the punishments," Luan said with hope in her voice but upon Rita's return that was not the case.
"This is just about Sunday's incident. Your father and I never believed in spanking but Lola you had pushed me to my limit with your spiteful behavior. I have no intention of resorting to spanking again so make sure you watch your tempers regarding each other," Rita said emphatically.
"Yes Mom," they all said together.
"That's all kids," Rita said. Together they rushed away to their bedrooms.
Wednesday
A new day had begun with Lori coming home earlier than expected. Rita and the other girls sans Leni were quite surprised upon seeing her reading on the couch. Lincoln wasn't present because he was hanging out with Liam and Clyde at Gus. Liam's mother dropped him and Liam at the arcade after the computer lessons and Lincoln called Rita at her office to inform her where he was going.
"Goodness Lori, why are you home so early?" Rita inquired with surprise.
"Well at exactly two thirty there was a problem with the main computer system and the computers just shut down. We sat around for thirty minutes until our boss Stephanie returned and told us to go home and that we shouldn't come in tomorrow because the problem won't get fixed until tomorrow afternoon," Lori explained.
"That's too bad, honey," Rita exclaimed with the utmost regret.
"The good news is that we're getting paid to stay home," Lori said.
"That's wonderful dear," Rita responded.
"And since it's going to be boring at home with no TV or my cellphone, I'm going to assist dad at the restaurant tomorrow," Lori added.
"Thanks for wanting to help your dad, he'd greatly appreciate it," Rita replied then smiled warmly.
It was sunset and the residents of the senior center where Albert lived were currently engaged in various activities after dinner. Some retired earlier to their bedrooms while some were taking their evening medications. A few congregated in the living room downstairs to watch the shared TV. Others like Albert and Myrtle were sitting together at a corner table with Albert's laptop before them.
When the show ended, Albert logged off and released a yawn.
"Well, that's another great episode, I'm going to bed," Myrtle remarked
"Goodnight honey bun," Myrtle cooed
"Goodnight honey see you tomorrow," Albert cooed before they shared a quick kiss on the lips before departing to their respective quarters.
Albert turned down the comforter on his bed then plugged the bathtub with the intention of taking a bath. Satisfied the water was the right temperature, Albert eased himself in the tub and emerged from the bathroom ten minutes later.
Finally after putting on his pajamas Albert retrieved a gallon milk carton from the mini-fridge and poured some into a mug and warmed it in the microwave. The warm beverage helped him to fall into slumber within minutes.
While the children slept soundly in the comfort of their beds, Rita sat at the dining table editing a chapter of her novel.
"Thank goodness this chapters finished," Rita muttered. She was extremely pleased with her novels progress and hoped for the day it would eventually get published.
Rita mused, "Time to get ready for bed."
Finally Rita got into bed after taking a bath which relaxed her. She closed her eyes and attempted to sleep but began thinking about Lola scaring people into buying lemonade and instigating the argument with Aidan at the block party.
Suddenly Lola smashing Lincoln's plane reminded her of an incident her father told her about regarding Sylvia and Ruth while growing up.
"I think it's time to let the kids know about Sylvia so they don't wind up like her," Rita said with determination.
Suddenly doubt started to cross Rita's mind.
"The problem is, is Ruth willing to tell them since she hates Sylvia?" she added.
