"ALRIGHT TROOPS, UP AND AT EM! TIME FOR SCHOOL AND IF EVERYONE ISN'T IN VAN-ZILLA AT 7:30 I AM LEAVING YOU!" Lori's voice boomed throughout the house, leaving everyone shocked.

Lynn Sr. was so startled that he fell right out of Lori's bed. He had remained by her side throughout the entire night.

"Sweet pea, you don't have to-"

"Of course I do, it's a school day," Lori stated plainly as she began getting dressed for the day as if absolutely nothing had happened.

Everyone was too surprised to say anything to her as she marched through the house like a woman on a mission.

"I-I don't understand, why is she doing this?" Lana asked confused.

"She's in denial, it's the first stage in the famous five stages of grief," Lisa explained.

"I thought we lived in Michigan, not in denial?" Leni asked confused.

"DENIAL Leni, it means she has psychologically convinced herself that Bobby is no longer deceased, depending on the severity of the situation, she may have even convinced herself Bobby never existed."

"Maybe all she needs is a little love," Luna suggested as she grabbed her acoustic guitar and prepared to strum her sister a tune.

"This one goes out to the best big sister in the wo-" Luna started before she was cut off.

"Not now Luna, get downstairs now!" she demanded, though no more severely than usual.

"Looks like you were way off base there sis!" Luan forcibly joked.

"I just wish we could help her!" Lola lamented.

"I think the best way for us to help her is to do what she says," Lincoln said plainly.

No one felt like arguing so they silently got ready for a school day no one wanted to face.

Downstairs Lori was pouring herself a cup of coffee, all the while humming a distracting tune.

Lynn Sr. and Rita looked sadly at each other. Lori had inherited her deep love and passion for romance from both of them, and they knew better than anyone in the family how powerful and sometimes-tragic love could be.

"Why don't you sit down for a minute honey?" Rita offered.

"No time mother, I'm waiting for SOME PEOPLE to get downstairs so we can get to school and further our education."
"Don't worry about that today pumpkin, I can get the kids to school, why don't you stay home and relax?" Lynn said.

"Yeah sweetie, I'll stay home too! We can have a mom and Lori day!" Rita added.

"Why would I want to do that?" Lori asked as she began to anxiously stir the spoon in her coffee cup.

Lynn and Rita looked at each other, unsure of how to respond.

"You had a pretty rough night there kiddo," Lynn whispered.

"Yeah, but I'm ok now!" Lori asserted, sounding as far from ok as a person could be.

"Honey, it's alright that this is hard for you but he's-"

"I gotta get to school! I AM LEAVING NOW!" She shouted up the stairs as the kids loyally prepared to head out with her orderly.

"Actually ummm….Van-zilla was making some strange noises last night, so I'll still drive. Wouldn't want you to have to push her up those hills," Lynn Sr. said as he herded the kids together while giving his wife a look that said she needed to stay home today just in case.

Lincoln stood still with no intention of going to school; he had another mission in mind.

"Let's go Lincoln!" Lori said through gritted teeth, as if she understood why her brother was staying behind.

"No, you and I both know that I have something I gotta do today," he said plainly. He gave his sister a look that said that he knew that she knew what he was doing.

"LINCOLN I SWEAR TO-"

"Alright, alright, let's go sweetheart," Lynn Sr. said as he pushed his daughter away before there was a brawl/breakdown.

When he was gone he turned to look at his mom, "I need you to drive me into the city."

Rita looked sadly at her son, "I'm sorry hon, but I need to stay here in care Lori needs me."

Lincoln took a deep breath, "I'll take the bus then."

"Honey I think you're a little young to take the bus that far by yourself."

"I have to see her."

Rita sighed, at so young Lincoln was already showing that he was fiercely loyal to causes and people he loved and believed in. It was one of her favorite qualities about his father and she was proud to see it being passed down.

She simply nodded.