It was another day of sorrow for the Man with the Plan. The constant headaches and body aches continued throughout the day. Rita did not anticipate the sickness lasting for another day, so she called the school again. Lincoln was bedridden at home with his hand on his face and covers over his body. Rita and Lynn Sr felt bad about leaving their only son in need, but they had to work some important shifts. Fortunately, it gave the little sisters a day off from school to take care of their sick brother, while the older ones had to go. Once again, Lincoln was in charge of babysitting even in his current condition. All Lincoln could do is keep his little sisters within sight range.
He watched as the little ones were preoccupied with their own thing. However, since Lincoln's new attitude and his sick condition, the little sisters dared not to take advantage of the situation. Not that they wanted because of his depression, in fact, they were more worried about his current condition.
"Here big bro, I got you some medicine to help you." Lana gave Lincoln a bottle.
Lincoln accepted. As expected from medicine, it had a nasty taste, but it should help him get on his feet. This medicine did not as it made him queasy inside. Lincoln felt his stomach turn sideways."Uh, Lana, where did you get this medicine?"
"I was dumpster diving with Flip the other day and I happen to find it," Lana answered. "It still had a lot so I figured it would be useful."
This just made Lincoln more nauseous inside. He felt something coming up as he quickly rushed to the bathroom. It was like a volcano ready to erupt as Lincoln felt.
"Well, it is no wonder it left a brother in a nauseated state." Lisa read the medicine. "This medicine expired five years ago. Just what exactly were you thinking?" Lisa lectured.
"Hey, at least I didn't feed him an old couch bagel." Lana shot back. "And you're supposed to be the smart one?"
"Lana, did you just go dumpster diving to find that?" Lola questioned the twin.
"Well, that and I also found this." Lana held a piece of paper with Lincoln's name on it.
Lisa grabbed it and analysis it. "It would seem like this is Lincoln's academic record, street name, report card. Moreover, by the looks of it, it seems like his grades have been dwindling as well as most of his personality. Two D's, one C, and an F, and here I thought Lynn had the poorest grades. Still, the cause of his depression is still a head-scratcher."
The sisters knew the medicine had massive after effects. They could hear Lincoln throwing up the nasty stuff. It lasted from three to ten minutes. The rest of the little sisters stared at the tomboy awkwardly.
Lucy knocked on the bathroom door. "Lincoln, are you okay?"
Lincoln was still puking. "I'm fine, just getting out the rest of that stuff," Lincoln replied as he moaned in pain. Lincoln came out of the bathroom still holding his tummy.
As he came out, he faced off with Lana apologetic expression. "Sorry about that bro." Lana apologized.
"Don't worry about it, alright," Lincoln said, still moaning in pain. He still felt that sour taste in his mouth, enough to make him feel queasy again. Lucy handed Lincoln some water to wash down the taste. "Thanks, Lucy."
"Perhaps it would be best if you leave the treatment to me," Lisa suggested.
After some gurgling, Lincoln lied back on the couch to rest. The medicine did not make him feel better; it only made him feel worse. In his stomach, it felt like he ate some bad food.
"Here you go big brother," Lola presented. "Some nice Chicken Noodle soup to help against your tummy ache, something that is actually fresh this time." Lola reminded turning her eyes to Lana.
"Thanks, Lola," Lincoln said.
Lincoln still felt the migraines inside his brain. He still remembered the recurring daydreams inside his head. It pounded his head like a never-ending drum.
"Elder brother, if you are having difficulties with the home I would be more than happy to assist. With your academics currently down the toilet, this is surely going to cause the utmost concern to the teacher as well as our parental units."
"I can also make a poem to make you day fine." Lucy offered.
"And we can make you more soup." Lola and Lana offered.
"I think I'm going to rest now," Lincoln said mad and weak.
He took a small snooze; Homeless Lincoln was back on his feet. While the other homeless we are out doing their own thing, Lincoln proceeded on his own path. Unfortunately, however, he was not at one-hundred percent. He still found himself coughing throughout the day, even in work.
"Hey, you alright buddy?" The citizen asked, noticing his non-stop coughing.
"I'm fine, just a little cold," Lincoln replied, feeling some bodily pain.
As he was finished and got his change, Lincoln took off. Lincoln pulled out some cough medicine. Even if he took little amounts at a time to suppress the coughing, it did not heal him completely. Sometimes he would cough up blood, other times it would be regular coughs.
Lincoln knew it was not common for coughing up blood, yet he kept on telling himself that it was not that bad. So long as he took cough medicine, he told himself that everything would be fine. For most, he was glad a homeless like him even had some money even if it was not enough to buy a hotel. Still, he had to maintain his living somehow. For any homeless, every little bit counted.
With every walk, Lincoln felt his body constantly vitiating. It either had to be overexertion or the effects of the medicine. Realizing that he could not keep himself up, Lincoln took a rest at an alley corner. He sat butt on the floor and head on the wall. Even after taking his medicine, the coughs continued as he questioned the medicine's true effects.
Maybe he just needed some food as he thought pulling some crackers out of his coat. Before he could munch, Lincoln overheard rumbling around the trashcan. The first thought was rats and other homeless, but then the sounds grew louder.
As he went investigate, he used stealth trying not to alert the individual. In an attempt to draw out the person, Lincoln taps on the ground. The person came out of the trashcan, revealing to be a little girl around Lincoln's former age. This already plagued his mind with questions.
"I would not eat that if I were you, trust me, you don't want to see the end results," Lincoln warned the girl with a box of old donuts.
"Hey, I'm starving so I'll take my chances." The girl shot back.
"Fine, if you want to experience heavy diarrhea, but there will be someone else who would not be happy with what you're doing." Lincoln tried to warn the girl.
"Seriously another one, what's it take to get it through your stupid heads?" The homeless man shouted. The same man chased Lincoln down salvaging for food. This time, he was arm with a baseball bat, which made Lincoln shake. Without hesitation, he grabbed the little girl's hand and ran off.
The two of them ran as fast as they could until he was out of sight range. The angry homeless chased the two across town. When he found them, he was anticipating the consequences he was going to make them pay. Lincoln and the girl knew this was going to be an unfortunate outcome. Soon the girl got an idea as they were around a crowd of people.
The woman right now the front of them felt a touch at her bottom. Offended, the woman turned around to face her man. The little girl was quick to point the finger at the homeless man that was chasing them.
"Big mistake, you ugly pig!" The woman called out, punching the angry homeless, not hearing anything he said. This chaos gave Lincoln and the little girl a chance to escape.
It was a narrow escape, but the two of them elude the man. The two of them caught their breath nearby park. Nevertheless, he may not have been happy with her lying, yet he was impressed with the girl's cunningness. Now that person had a bloodthirsty mob to deal with, assuming if he was still around.
"Are you okay?" Lincoln asked, trying to hide concern for his health as he a cough.
"Yeah, I'm fine." The girl replied.
"Want some?" Lincoln offered her some crackers.
"My parents always said to never take handouts from strangers let alone talk to them." She suspected.
"Understandable, but didn't they always teach to respect your elders, especially for someone who saved your life," Lincoln said.
He got her there. "Well yeah…" She paused.
"Don't worry, I can assure you that I certainly do not bite," Lincoln promised. "Also, your stomach can use it."
He made another good point to the little girl. "Well if I must," She submitted grabbing some crackers. "So what is your name Mister?"
"It's Lincoln, Lincoln Loud." He introduced.
"Lincoln huh, just like the sixteenth president?"
"Yep just like the sixteenth president, only this Lincoln is not a republican, and what's your name?"
"Raina Foggmen." The girl introduced back
"Aren't you a bit young to be out here by yourself?" Lincoln inquired of the girl.
"Humph, I can take care of myself, no one tells me what to do, just me myself and I."
"So you're a runaway?" Lincoln suspected already having a clear idea.
In denial, the little girl turned her eyes the other direction.
"So why are you out here by yourself?" Lincoln asked. "Don't you think your parents might be worried about you?"
"I… who cares." She paused for a moment. "I needed to get away from it all. My big sister, Summer, and her constant win after win after win. It becomes a headache after a while. Do you know what it's like to be…?"
"Constantly outshine by your siblings." Lincoln finished the sentence. The little girl took a questionable glance at Lincoln. "Yeah; I know more than you can imagine."
"What do you mean?"
"You're talking to a guy who comes from a family of ten sisters," Lincoln stated as he pulled out an old photo of his him and his sisters dated more than fifteen years ago. Although torn a bit and dirty, it was still visible. The little girl eyes widened with shock and amazement. "Each of them has their own unique trait to really distinguish from each other. It can be quite chaotic at times."
"Why aren't you a blonde or brunette?" She asked. "Wait a sec, are you adopted?"
Lincoln burst out laughing. "No. I'm a member of the family, genetics just work in many mysterious ways just like the man in the clouds." Lincoln coughed again this time more than once.
"Hey Mister, are you okay?" Raina saw blood within Lincoln jacket on his elbow. She may have been very young, but she knew that was not common.
"Yeah fine, just one of the prices of being homeless, they have the worst health and dental plan. Luckily for me, I still have all my teeth." Lincoln said barely catching some air. "No one to tuck you in and take care of you when you're sick, it's just you and the harsh streets." Raina looked at the bandages on Lincoln's face. "You never know who's going to get you. Believe me; I had my share of beatings. You really don't know who to really trust out here."
Raina cringe at Lincoln's predicament. Seeing the wounds, he was not far from the truth. At her rate, she was fortunate to be in one piece. Just the very idea of being like other homeless people who had worst outcomes had made the girl shake. If this was a Scared Straight program, then it was working. Lincoln glanced as he sensed the fear building up inside of her. If all, he did want the girl ending up as miserable as him
"Why don't we give your parents a call I'm pretty sure they are worried about you? You got a phone?"
Raina shook her head.
"No worries, I got some change." Lincoln spotted a nearby payphone. As she told Lincoln her parent's number, Lincoln waited for an answer in the payphone.
"Hello," The phone answered. Lincoln lifted the girl and put her on the phone.
"Mom," Raina answered back.
"Raina sweetie is that you?"
"Yeah, it's me."
"Rania where are you, do you have any idea how worried I was? Are you okay, your not hurt are you?" The mother asked. Lincoln figured this was expected from a parent, especially for a minor.
"I'm fine mom, just fine. But I am lost, and not just talking about in the middle of nowhere lost."
The mom took her calming breath. She felt like she was going to have a heart attack. "Okay look, tell me where you are and I'll come get you."
"Okay, I'm at the…" She stammered trying to read the location. Lincoln silently helped by giving her the answers. "Central Park, the park around of downtown."
"Alright, I'll be on my way there just as soon as I get directions, be careful in the meantime." The mother replied, all worried.
"I'll keep you company until your parents get here," Lincoln suggested.
The two of them took a seat on the Park Bench. While sitting, they watched as the day went by for the people and watch the sunrise from the clouds. Throughout the day, Lincoln continued to tell stories about his chaotic family. These stories would lead to many aw's, laughing out loud, gasping in shock, whoaing multiple times, and even questioning many things, such as how could two parents handle eleven children.
"Four dates, all on the same day?" Raina inquired to Lincoln. "Wow that must have been quite an experience. You must have been really mad"
"At first I was, but the more I thought about it, I was more at fault of the situation." Lincoln laid his head on the bench.
"Does it ever get tough living in a house full of girls? Like do you ever feel like the Black Sheep?
It was a tough question as Lincoln averted his eyes. "I would not say the Black Sheep. Sometimes I do feel left out, being the only male aside from my father." Lincoln said. "Plus, they have so many unique talents that define them and even make them more accomplished. Those accomplishments the sister's of mine achieved has created a cycle of envy and jealousy that clouded my life. I ended chasing after something rather than pursuing something."
"Do you ever find yourself hating them?"
"Whoa, whoa, easy there, hate is a strong word. Sure, they can be difficult at times, but their kind hearts are always in the right place. Nevertheless, I would be lying if I said sometimes I would take them for granted. One time I wished I had ten brothers instead of ten sisters." Lincoln chuckled remembering how that wonderful incident turned out. Never again would he want to repeat that story.
Raina laughed at Lincoln, therefore, lightening her mood. Lincoln was glad to see her smiling. At least her innocent smile would be enough to inspire hope no matter how truly hopeless. Passing more of the time, Lincoln told her more stories about his home life and his sister's.
"A Sister Fight Protocol and all over a dress?" She inquired again, after hearing the dreadful story of his sister's worse fight. "That sounds so stupid."
"Yeah tell me about it." He told her while trying to maintain his coughs. "That was also a pretty unreasonable experience."
"Do ever think about your sisters?"
"Everyday; I haven't seen or talked to them in years, they probably forgot about little old me. They may have been obnoxious at times, but I was no saint either. I was stubborn and selfish most of the time." Lincoln wondered to himself. "I spent the rest of my life trying to chase them proving my worth, and look where it's gotten me, a cold, distance lonely life in the streets." Lincoln continued to ponder. "Now here I am, just a coward that refuses to face this harsh reality no matter how much it beats you in the face, while all my sisters have moved up in the world," Lincoln said, as his sadness was not obvious to the girl.
The talk between them carried on through the day. He continued to tell stories about his charming sisters to keep her occupied. Much as his situation was sad, he was still glad to make someone else happy. Then again, it was always one of his many traits to make someone happy.
It was until an hour that a red BMW pulled up at the park. Out of the vehicle came a woman who the little girl easily recognizes. It did not take before the little girl went rushing to the woman. Both of the females were in tears as they embrace each other. Lincoln figured as much as he smiles and observes their loving reunion.
The woman walked up to the homeless man as she grasped and touched his hand. She gave him a grateful smile.
"Thank you for finding and helping my daughter." The mother thanked Lincoln.
"Don't mention it, ma'am, it was nothing." The woman reached into her purse. "I know it isn't much, but hopefully this will get you on your feet." The woman rewarded Lincoln with a couple of dollars. "You know when she told me that a stranger was helping her; I almost had the nerve to call the police. Raina, did you be sure to thank this nice man?"
Lincoln paled at the idea, but at the same time did not blame the mother.
"Thank Mr. Loud," Raina thanked Lincoln.
"Mr. Loud is my dad's name, call me Lincoln." Lincoln smiled back.
"Thank you Lincoln," Raina repeated.
"No dear, you address him as Mr. Loud." The mother assured.
Quickly, the little girl embraces the homeless man in a quick hug. "Thank you again, Mr. Loud, and I really hope you find your way."
"You are still young and have your whole life ahead of you, try not to take your siblings for granted no matter how many disagreements." Lincoln touched Raina's shoulder.
"You sure you're not adopted?" Raina quickly whispered.
"Positive," Lincoln said without a doubt.
Lincoln was grateful as he watches the mother and daughter leave. Seeing them together reminded him of his own family. The more he watched them, the more homesick he became. He only wished he taken his own advice sooner, At least he was able to save someone from making the same mistake he has.
Going by faint memory, Lincoln still remembered his older sister phone number. He got used to it with the way he would often talk and text on her phone.
After putting some change in the payphone, Lincoln started to think of many things. Waiting for the pick-up, one of the many is if she would answer, or if it was still Lori's number, and better yet what would he even say. It had been so long since communication between him and his sister's. The tension made his heart race.
"Hello," The phone answered. By the familiar, yet older voice, it certainly sounded like his older sister.
Lincoln did not respond as his heart suddenly froze. A Lot of tension built up inside of him. Lincoln's brain could not muster the right words to say. All that was heart was slow airs at a time.
"Hello," Lori repeated. Still, there was no response. She waited a couple of minutes for a voice, but it was still silent.
Lori was very impatient. "Look I literally don't know who you are, but I do not appreciate your stupid prank calls, so don't call this number again, you hear me!"
The call ended as the machine demanded more change. Well, one thing was clear Lori's Behavior has not changed. In the end, nothing was accomplished as he left his older sister high and dry. Lincoln did not know what went wrong. Lincoln now knew how it was when a fan meets someone famous. Vocal Cords were heavily strain from fear. The silence ended as Lincoln a cough again. No matter how much cough he took, it was recurring. It was like a fly that could not escape its environment.
As he took a walk, he took a seat on the grass. Lincoln stared at the rising crescent moon. He saw his sister's faces through the night sky. As he pulled out his photo, the homesick nature started to increase. Times like this wished he was a kid again.
"Makes me wonder if what my family would think if they saw me now," Lincoln said reflecting. "Would they happy to see me no matter what? Or would they be disgusted and ashamed of me?" Lincoln glanced at his old photo again as tears rolled down his. The tears dropped onto the picture. "I'm such a coward," as he sobbed through the night.