Monday
A new morning had arisen with everyone fully rested and ready to start the day. Lola was now sleeping on an air mattress Lynn Sr. bought on Friday which was set up in the living room. Lincoln decided to stay home today but would later go to the mall to buy another comic. While brushing his teeth after breakfast, Lincoln mused, "Its someone's birthday today but I can't remember who, I'll just look at today's date."
He always wrote the names of family and friends under their birthdates on his calendar.
"Oh its Stella's, I should buy a birthday card for her," he said aloud upon looking at the calendar then started dressing. After feeding Lana's pets he returned to his bedroom.
"Good Morning Stella," Lincoln announced cheerfully to his friend when she answered
"Oh morning Lincoln," she greeted back.
"I just called to wish you a Happy Birthday," he replied
"Thank you very much Lincoln," Stella responded.
"So are your parents having a party?" he asked.
"No because most of our friends are either on vacation or going soon," Stella replied regretfully.
'That's right girl Jordan, Molly, Kat and Clyde are on vacation then Artie and Rusty are leaving on Friday," Lincoln remarked.
"My family already sang Happy Birthday to me this morning and mom is buying a cake which we'll eat after dinner," Stella explained
"Well enjoy your birthday Stella, see you on Friday," Lincoln told his friend.
"Bye Lincoln," she responded before hanging up.
After making his bed Lincoln settled down on the couch to play video games. Eventually it was one pm when he glanced at his watch. He rushed upstairs to grab his wallet and key.
It was a little after four pm when Rita returned with the girls attending the day camp. Lincoln had returned home just minutes before and was taking a nap.
At dinner Rita asked Lana while everyone enjoyed KFC fried chicken and mashed potatoes, "Lana I'm putting the air mattress in your room tonight because I want Lola back in the room."
Lana sighed, "Okay mom." She was slowly getting over the resentment towards Lola but still disapproved of her twin destroying Lincoln's plane.
Lincoln rose from his chair when he was finished and took his plate and utensils into the kitchen then got Charles leash.
Lincoln passed by Mrs. Hart's home while heading in the direction of Ketcham Park. Mrs. Hart was getting out of her car having just returned home from work. Lincoln smiled at her and said, "Good evening."
She was actually surprised that any Loud child would have any kind of manners and returned a little smile.
"Good evening are you Lincoln right?" she asked.
Yes I am, Lincoln replied
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Mrs. Hart," she added then Charles began straining on his leash.
"Nice meeting you Mrs. Hart," Lincoln said then walked away.
Mrs. Hart thought, "At least the boy has some discipline."
He returned from walking Charles twenty minutes later and spent the remainder of the evening watching TV on his laptop before going to bed.
The next two days passed by without incident. Lincoln still attending the fun computer classes with Liam and Lola's fear of her brother was vanishing a little. On Thursday morning Lynn Sr. informed his family he was closing the restaurant thirty minutes earlier that night.
It was three a.m. Friday morning when Lori was disrupted from her slumber by Leni shouting but not loud enough for the others to hear.
"What the heck Leni," she thought puzzled then turned on her lamp and saw Leni with her sleep mask off and a frightened expression on her face.
"Lori I had a dream that Lola was sixteen and had a boyfriend who forgot their one month anniversary. She became angry and started stabbing him all over with a pencil, it was awful the police took her away and placed her in a mental hospital," Leni explained in a panicky voice.
"It's okay Leni," Lori began reassuring her upset sister.
"Suppose Lola goes crazy like Aunt Sylvia one day," Leni insisted.
"Like mom said let's hope it doesn't happen," Lori remarked.
Few seconds passed before Lori said, "Leni try and go back to sleep I'll keep the lamp on."
Two minutes later Leni had successfully fallen asleep.
A few hours later when everyone except Leni and Lincoln had woken up, while Luna stood in the bathroom line behind Lola, she suddenly felt a slight headache coming on. During breakfast the headache became more unbearable causing Luna to rub her temples which caught Rita's attention.
"Are you feeling okay Luna?" Rita asked quite concerned.
The third born squinted and said, "I'm getting a terrible headache Mom."
"Well you can't possibly go to day camp, take some ibuprofen right after you eat honey then get into bed," Rita replied.
Instantly, Lana and Lola decided to use the opportunity to beg permission to stay home as well.
"Can we stay home Mommy, please?" the twins pleaded in unison.
They both received a look that could wither a flower from RIta who replied, "Nice try girls, you're going to day camp."
"Dang it," the peeved girls thought in their minds.
Once the other morning routines were completed, the other girls except Lori gathered in the living room while Rita walked into Luna's room. The girl was laying on the lower bunk where Luan slept instead with a large glass of water and the aspirin on the side table.
"Here is my phone Luna, keep it on and I'll check on you later okay," Rita said lovingly then rested it beside the glass.
"Bye Mom," Luna responded.
When Lincoln finally woke up, he was surprised upon seeing Luna leaving the bathroom as he walked out of his bedroom.
"Luna what are you doing here, is everybody here?" he asked wide-eyed.
Luna answered in a nonchalant manner, "No bro, I got a headache so mom let me stay home today."
"Oh are you feeling okay now?" her brother inquired.
"Not quite my head is still pounding a little, but I'll take another ibuprofen right now," Luna replied.
Lincoln had some Zombie bran and fed Lana's pets before relaxing with a comic book. Around 12:00 p.m.
Luna who was sleeping for a long time awoke with her headache gone completely and feeling hungry. Luna was eating a ham and cheese sandwich on the couch as Lincoln came downstairs carrying a yellow envelope containing Stella's birthday card.
"Hey Luna I'm just heading out to meet the gang at Gus, see you later," he announced when he stood before her.
"Have fun little bro," Luna merely replied with a smile. She noticed the envelope in his right hand but didn't question him about it.
Lincoln locked the door behind him and rushed towards the bus stop.
When Lincoln finally arrived at Gus, he rushed over to the gang's favorite booth but to his surprise Darren and Hillary who attended the computer classes with him were sitting with Stella Zach and Liam.
Lincoln greeted his friends with a simple, "Hi everyone," before sitting beside Stella.
"The card," he thought, suddenly remembering.
"Stella, here's something for you," he stated then handed her the envelope.
"Thank you Linc," she replied smiling then stored it in her jade colored handbag.
The friends began conversing amongst themselves.
"I got a text from girl Jordan saying she's coming home Thursday, and that she might convince her parents to let her host a party next Saturday," Zach said.
"I got the message too," Hillary, an African American girl replied
"So Lincoln how is your family?" Stella asked Lincoln.
Stella remained unaware of the situation regarding his sisters since Lincoln told his other friends not to mention the block party incident to her.
"Well they're doing fine," he replied rather nonchalantly.
"Hey how about we order some pizza?" Darren asked impatiently.
Meanwhile Luna was sitting at the dining table with a pencil in her right hand and frowning as she tried to think of something to write on a notepad.
"This is absolutely ridiculous," Luna muttered before ripping out a page from the notepad in frustration. Three days ago she decided to resume song writing after realizing her parents never told her she couldn't write songs when handing out the punishments weeks ago.
I just can't think of any lyrics," she declared.
Luna took some moments to calm down then said, "I should find something to cook before mom gets home."
Just as Luna was rising from her chair, Rita's phone rang and she grabbed it from the table.
"Hello mom," she answered
"Hi honey how are you feeling now?" Rita asked Luna.
"I'm feeling better mom," was Luna's reply
I'm so glad to hear that, listen I'm buying everyone pizza for dinner," Rita replied.
'That's great mom I was actually going to cook something," Luna told her.
'That was quite thoughtful of you, see you later," her mother said cheerfully then hung up.
Lincoln arrived home at six that evening his stomach already full from eating two slices of pizza at Gus. He greeted his sisters while they read in the living room with, "Hi everyone," before retreating to his bedroom. He grabbed the comic book he bought that week then joined his sisters. Nobody was sitting on the small sofa so he made himself comfortable there and began reading.
Later a weary Lynn Sr. gratefully stepped out of Kotaro's vehicle. Thankfully Rita was still awake reading her novel when he walked into their bedroom. Rita greeted him with the usual, "Hi honey," then Lynn Sr. approached her side of the bed.
"Rita I've made up my mind about the girls punishment I'm on board with ending them soon," Lynn Sr. announced
"That's wonderful honey," Rita declared happily before rising out of bed and embracing her husband.
The following morning, Rita awoke to find a beam of sunlight shining in her face. Shielding her eyes from the light Rita pushed away the sheets and was prepared to get some breakfast when Lynn Sr. entering their bedroom.
"Morning honey," he greeted with a cheerful tone then added, "I made waffles for a change better get some before the girls take all."
"Thanks dear," she replied before pushing her feet into her slippers then headed out the door. Luckily three waffles remained which Rita had with blueberries and maple syrup. Lori ate breakfast earlier because she decided to start working at the restaurant Saturday mornings to keep her evenings free. While Rita and the other kids ate breakfast, Lynn Sr. came in the room dressed. Lori was sitting on the couch waiting for him.
"See you later honey," he told Rita before kissing her right cheek affectionately.
"Have a nice day," Rita replied.
There was complete silence for a few moments at the table while everyone enjoyed their breakfast. Rita began assigning chores
"Luan could you help Luna with the laundry, Lynn please mow the lawn, Lola you're doing the vacuuming and Lisa you're dusting the furniture."
More silence passed before Lincoln spoke.
"Mom I'd like to take Lana to a movie this afternoon is it okay?"
Lana's smiled broadly at the news
"Yes Lincoln," Rita replied.
"Thank you Lincoln," Lana replied jubilantly
Rita finished her last waffle then picked up her things and placed them in the sink.
