Chapter Two
Rita, Lishi & Leni
Later that afternoon the Loud family meet in their living room. There Lynn Sr. and Rita listen intently as their children tell them of their new neighbors, The Fairmonts. During the gathering everyone is shocked when Lana reveals to them a crisp fifty dollar bill.
"Just where did you get that, young lady?" her mom asks.
"Mr. Fairmont gave it to me for helping him with The Beast."
Lynn Sr.'s face contorts, "The what?"
"The Beast." Lana repeats. "It's this gigantic, six-wheeled vehicle that Mr. Fairmont keeps around back of his house. Me and Nightfall installed a new starter motor in it for him. You see, he's a rather large guy and..."
"I'll say he's large, all right." Lori interjects while, once again, a rather goofy expression creeps across her features.
"...annnnd he has trouble getting under The Beast." The little tomboy says while glaring at her oldest sibling. "So, me and Nightfall swapped out the old starter motor for a new one. Mr. Fairmont said that we did an excellent job and that it was cheap at twice the price." The last part is said with obvious pride on Lana's part.
"And just who is Nightfall?" her father questions.
Oh, she's like, the Fairmonts' little girl." Leni answers for her sister. "Wait till you meet her. She is like, totes adorbs. What's more, her brother Lance and Lucy like, hit it all rather well. You should have seen them talking together. It was like, so cute."
Lucy gives the tiniest of shrugs, "He's just recently started exploring the darkness and I was just giving him a few pointers on the subject. I mean, he's pretty cool for a little kid."
Luan laughs, " 'Little kid'? You're only two years older than he is, Lucy."
"Yeah, and maybe he likes older women, little dudette." Luna quips. To that the rocker notices that the little goth blushes ever so slightly. "Ohhhh, I think that my little sister just may have been taken in by Lance's deep blue eyes."
"Okay, guys. Let's lay off of Spooky." Lincoln says coming to his sister's rescue placing a protective arm around her shoulders and giving her a little squeeze. His action elicits a tiny smile from Lucy as she says, "Thank you, big brother."
Lori smiles, "Speaking of getting along. Don't you have something to ask mom and dad about, Leni?"
For a moment the blonde's face is frozen in an almost expressionless condition. Then she blinks once, twice, thrice. "Oh, yeah! Thanks Lori. Mom...Dad, is it okay if I like, go to the mall with Alicia tomorrow?"
"Alicia?" both parents question.
"That's Mrs. Fairmont's first name. She pretty much literally insisted that Leni address her by her first name since she was sure that they were going to be good friends." Lori says.
"I'm sure that we will be. She like, called me a fellow fashionista, mom. Can I go...please?" Leni pleads.
Rita knows just how much fashion means to her second oldest child but the idea of her daughter going off alone with a woman that she just met and that she herself hasn't even laid eyes on. Well, to say the least the idea sets off a few alarm bells in her head.
"Well, Leni," Rita speaks choosing her words carefully. "I would really like to have a chance to meet her first. Can you arrange to have her pick you up here?"
Leni smiles and nods her head. "That's what she planned on doing. She said she'd like to meet you. You know like, mom to mom."
To this Rita smiles and thinks, **I've got to admit that this Alicia has already scored a few brownie points. A mother to mother meeting is the proper thing to do.** "Okay sweetie, we'll see about you going after I've had a few minutes with her."
"Thanks, mom." Leni says with her usual bright smile. "Oh, like, fair warning. Alicia has bunny eyes."
"B-Bunny eyes?" Rita inquires incredulously.
"Yeah. She's like an...Alsatian."
The children all slap themselves in the forehead in unison.
"No," Lola says. "She's an albino. Sheesh!"
"Really?" Rita says with her eyebrows arching. **This should prove interesting.**
The following morning at 11:15 the doorbell of the Loud residence is heard. As Rita leaves the kitchen to answer it she hears Leni shouting from upstairs, "That's probably Alicia now. Tell her I'll be like, ready in a little bit." Her mother smiles while shaking her head. "Take your time sweetheart." She then opens the door.
"Because it will give us moms a little time to get to know one another." Alicia says with a wide smile.
Rita returns the woman's warm smile while extending her hand to her. "Good morning, Alicia. My name's Rita and I'm very pleased to meet you."
Taking the woman's hand, Alicia responds, "As am I to meet you."
"Come in and have a seat in the living room."
As the tall woman enters and Rita closes the door she takes stock of her guest's appearance. The matriarch of the Fairmont family is wearing a pair of red capri pants. They are form fitting without being too tight. On her feet are a pair of matching red flats. Her torso is clothed in a simple, white button down shirt and on her head is a red scarf. Her long white hair is done up in a single braid. On her eyes is a pair of sunglasses not too different from the pair that her daughter wears atop her head.
"Rita, if it's all the same to you I'd rather sit in the kitchen while we talk. I've always felt more comfortable in the kitchen. Living rooms are so...I don't know...formal."
Rita gives her guest a genuine smile, "I know what you mean. The kitchen it is then. Can I get you something? A cup of coffee maybe?"
"I'd love a cup, thank you." She takes a seat and looks at the shelf above the rather large coffee maker. There she sees a line of mugs all with names inscribed on them. Lynn Sr., Rita, Lori, Luna & Luan. "I see that three of your older girls are coffee drinkers."
"Yes, I guess it's a habit that they picked up from my husband and myself. How do you like your coffee?"
"On the light side with two sugars, thank you." I notice that Leni doesn't seem to have a coffee mug."
"Oh, she never got into the coffee habit. Her thing is smoothies. She's a real fiend for them."
Alicia chuckles, "She and my daughter Nightfall can get together on that topic. I must make sure that she has a constant supply of makings for her smoothies or I have to deal with a pouty face for the rest of the morning." She takes the large cup of coffee handed to her. She then watches as the mother of eleven takes the seat opposite her. "So, Rita. I take it that you wanted this chance to check me out?"
Rita Loud nearly does a spit-take into her coffee cup. "Well, I...uh...I'm..."
"You're only being a cautious mother, is all. There's no offense taken on my part. I mean, a woman you don't even know plans on taking one of your children on a day trip to the local mall. Heck, I'd be suspicious, too." She smiles and removes her shades. A slight gasp escape's from the woman across from her. Immediately Rita puts a hand to her lips and looks away in embarrassment. "Not to worry, Rita. I understand that my appearance can be somewhat shocking at first." The albino reaches out and places her hand on top of Rita's. "Again, no offense taken. You're just being human."
Rita returns her neighbor's smile as she clears her throat. "It's just I worry more about my Leni because..."
"She's a beautiful innocent." Alicia finishes.
Rita nods. "I'm always worried that someone might try to take advantage of my baby." Taking a sip from her cup, Alicia nods. "When she came home all head up about finding a friend that shared her interest in fashion, I was happy for her. Poor thing doesn't make friends very easily due to...the way she is."
"Well, I'll be her friend. What's more, I'll look out for her...as you would."
Rita looks deep into the albino's rose colored eyes. She looks hard trying to find some inkling of deception. As she does, Alicia's gaze doesn't falter in the slightest. She locks eyes with the blonde across from her. In those eyes the mother of four can see all the worry and trepidation a mother has for her children in this day and age. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Rita breaks eye contact and smiles. In her neighbor's eyes she found the conviction to back up her words of assurance. She somehow realizes that as long as Alicia Fairmont draws breath her daughter would be safe.
Finally, at the stroke of noon, Leni Loud finally makes her way down stairs. From the kitchen she can hear her mother's and Alicia's voices. The teen smiles to herself, **Like, listen to them. They're talking as if they've known each for like, years.** She takes this as a definite good sign. As she turns into the kitchen a piercing squeal escapes her throat. "OMG! We're dressed almost the same!" Indeed the color scheme is the same. The differences being that the teen wears red form fitting jeans and a white tee that shows off her trim tummy. However, the flats are exactly the same as the ones Alicia wears.
Alicia stands and throws her arms open. "It's like we're sisters!" Leni rushes in and embraces the older woman. "Albeit, I'm a much older sister."
"This is going to be like, so much fun, Alicia." Leni gleefully says.
Alicia turns to Rita, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her, Rita."
"I know you will. Have fun you two."
"We will, mom." Both females say as they head out the door.
Lori comes walking down the stairs and stands next to her mother with her arms folded over her torso. "Well, I guess, Alicia passed your interrogation?"
"With flying colors." Her mother says nodding. "I'd trust her with any one of you."
Fifteen minutes later finds Leni and Alicia tooling down Royal Woods' main drag towards the mall. During the entire ride Leni had reminded Alicia of a young puppy. Her head moving this way and that trying to take everything in.
"Leni, surely you've seen all this before. I mean, weren't you born in this town?" Alicia asks.
"Oh, for sure I was like, born here but when we come into town it is always in Vanzilla. Being in your car is like, totes amazing. I mean, I can like, see everything."
The woman smiles at the teenager's enthusiasm. "I take it this is your first time in a convertible?" Leni gives her a quick nod. "Oh, you poor, deprived child."
"You and my mom seem to be like, hitting it off pretty good when I came downstairs." Leni says looking over at her friend.
"Yeah, she just had to find out if I was trustworthy enough to bring you along on this little trip. Mall off the starboard bow, captain." Alicia carefully negotiates a lane change and pulls into the mall's parking structure. While waiting at the barrier for the automated attendant to dispense its parking pass, Alicia notices a couple of middle-aged men approaching her car. The larger of the two steps up and leans on the driver side door.
"Hey, why don't you let me and my friend here show you and your cute little friend a good time?"
Alicia can almost feel the youngster next to her tense up. She smiles and gives the man a shake of her head. "I don't think so. From here you and your bud look a disaster waiting to happen. Now, get off my car. I just him detailed."
The man's eyes first widen then narrow in anger. "Why you pale faced bitch! I have half a mind to..." The miscreant's words die in his throat as the woman removes her shades and fixes him with her gaze.
"You've got half a mind...period! I said, back off my car! Do it now before something bad happens to you." The man backs away slowly on stiff legs all the while unable to avert his eyes away from hers. "Good boy. Now, I suggest you walk on and live your life." With that she replaces her shades and pulls slowly away leaving the man wondering what the hell just happened.
Leni, finally releasing the breath she hadn't realized that she was holding, reaches over and puts her hand on her friend's shoulder. OMG! That was like, amazing. How did you..."
The albino chuckles, "Oh, sweetie...(Leni takes note of how much like her mom her friend sounds in this moment.)...these bunny eyes of mine can be very intimidating when I want them to be. Most people find them quite shocking. As you just witnessed. I wasn't about to let a turd like him ruin our day. Now, let's park this thing and go have some fun."
In a whirlwind of consumer action the blonde and the albino take Royal Woods Mall by storm. The duo hit practically every fashion themed store the place has to offer. When Alicia finds something that she feels would look great on her companion, Leni has no choice but to accept the gift. She tries to graciously refuse but her words fall upon deaf ears as Alicia simply purchases the item and shoves the into her hands. All the while other patrons observe them and can't help but smile at their enthusiasm. A couple of individuals comment on how they are such a lovely mother and daughter. To this they both chuckle and giggle and say thanks. The shopping spree eventually leads to the food court. After all, one must keep the shopping machine well fueled. Both women order burgers, fries and at Leni's insistence, smoothies.
"I totes like the way some people thought that we were mother and daughter." Leni says after swallowing a bite of her burger."
Alicia smiles, "Well, I could do far worse than to have you for a daughter."
The teenager clasps her hands together in joy, "Wow, that's like, really nice of you to say, Alicia. I mean, with me being...you know...the way I am." Leni lowers her eyes so she winds up staring at the meal in front of her. She feels Alicia lay her hand upon hers.
"Oh sweetheart, don't you go getting down on yourself. No one on this planet is perfect. No matter how many of them think they are. You're you and there's no one else like you. Your heart is so pure that my husband would say that you're too good for this world. C'mon, let me see that winning smile."
The young woman slowly lifts her and and seeing her friend's smile she can only return one in response. Alicia gently pats Leni's hand, "That's what I'm talking about. Let's finish up so we can continue our assault on this place." The teenager nods, " 'Kay but first I have to like, use the little girl's room."
As Leni gets up and happily walks towards the restrooms, Alicia catches notice of another woman getting up and heading to the facilities. Alicia mentally shrugs and picks up her drink and takes a pull on the straw. However, for some reason her attention remains on the woman as she makes her way behind Leni. Then suddenly, like a bolt from the blue it hits her that she recognizes the individual. **McTaggart!**, she inwardly screams as she rises and bolts after the woman.
In the restroom, Leni closes the door to stall and prepares to do her business. McTaggart, meanwhile has just closed the restroom door and is preparing to lock it when suddenly the door is pushed forcibly into her face. The impact stuns the woman and Alicia yanks her out the room. She easily drags the woman into the neighboring men's room which is fortunately unoccupied. The big albino locks the door and turns to her adversary who is just starting to regain her senses.
"I see you're still doing your masters' bidding like the obedient little lap dog that you are."
McTaggar sneers, "And I see that you're still the renegade's whore."
Alicia gives her adversary a mirthless smile. "Actually, I'm the renegade's wife these days. So, snatching kids these days, eh? That's pretty low, even for The Colony."
"The Colony is in need of fresh blood." McTaggart counters as she slowly gets to her feet. "You...Rangers have depleted our ranks and I don't have tell you how the young are easier...more pliable to our indoctrination methods."
Alicia rolls her eyes, " 'Indoctrination methods'. Why don't you just come right out and call it what it really is? Brainwashing!" Alicia says all the while noticing how McTaggart is slowly moving to her right trying to angle towards the door. "You'll never get to it and unlock it before I'm on you. You shall not have Leni or any of the Loud children. Not now. Not...ever!"
"That was always your problem, Ravencroft. You always led with your...HEART!"
The woman lunges at Alicia and the albino makes no move to avoid her attack. McTaggart's eyes go wide when she fails to do so much as to budge her opponent. She herself lifted off her feet and slammed into the tiled wall with a bone jarring impact that causes her to grunt in pain. There then comes another impact as she's slammed into the opposite wall. This time she cries out in pain as she feels her shoulder blade give way as the tile on the wall cracks and crumbles. McTaggart, now barely conscious is aware of the sensation of flying through the air, hitting a stall door and falling hard against the porcelain fixture within. She tries to clear her head but before she has the chance to draw three breaths her tormentor is once again upon her. She is effortlessly lifted by the collar till she finds herself practically nose to nose with the albino.
"You never could take me, you red-headed witch. Not on your best and me on my worst." Alicia growls. "Well, you needn't worry about coming across this...whore ever again."
With that said, McTaggart feels her head shoved into the bowl and into the cold water within. She tries to fight against the larger woman but at this point it is like a weakened child fighting against an enraged adult. Alicia's rose colored eyes look dispassionately down at the back of the woman's head as her struggles lessen and finally cease. However, Alicia still holds her adversary's head under the cold water until the doomed woman's body begins to convulse in its death throes. Only when they cease does the albino release her iron-like grip.
Standing up and calmly closing the stall door, Alicia makes her way to the sink and thoroughly washes her hands. Looking at herself in the mirror she straightens her slightly disheveled outfit. After that she walks to the restroom door, unlocks it and looks nonchalantly back in the direction of the stall. "Bitch." she whispers as she exits the room. The entire incident has taken less than four minutes to transpire.
Alicia is back at the food court table and taking a bite of her burger. She smiles as she spots Leni returning from her restroom visit. She watches the cheerful teen's approach knowing that she is totally oblivious of her brush with danger. As she sits down the older woman smiles, "Did everything come out all right?"
Leni gives her a confused look and then her mouth drops open and she gives Alicia a dismissive wave of her hand. "Oh, you. Like, you're as bad as Luan." She then points, "Uh you have something on your shirt. It looks like ketchup."
Alicia looks down at a small group of red stains on her white shirt. "Oh, darn it." She shrugs, "Well, my husband always tells me that I look good in everything I eat." The two women share a laugh and then settle down and start to finish off their meals. During this time, Leni notices that Alicia's attention seems to be elsewhere.
"Is there like, something wrong, Alicia?"
Alicia's eyes snap back and focus on Leni, "Hmmm?"
"For a while it was like your mind was a thousand miles away. I'm the one that usually has that look."
"Oh, nothing to worry about. I was just thinking about what I said earlier back at the house. You know, about us being like sisters. It just got me to thinking about how all your siblings have names that start with 'L'. I figure I'll let you call me, Lishi.
"Lishi?" Leni queries.
"It's a nickname my husband gave me some time ago and I've grown rather fond of it."
"Lishi and Leni. I like, really like the sound of that." Leni says holding up her smoothie in an offered toast. Alicia follows suit and they tap their smoothie cups together.
6:25pm finds Alicia's car pulling up in front of the Loud residence. Leni climbs out carrying a half dozen bags with various logos emblazoned on them. Alicia follows her with just as many parcels with the same logos.
"We're like, back!" Leni announcing as she opens the door. She walks to the living room and plops down on the sofa. "I am totes exhausted." she says as she kicks off her shoes.
Alicia sprawls in an arm chair across from her friend, "You and me both, kiddo." she says with an exhausted but satisfied smile. "Thanks for a great time, Leni."
"You're like, thanking me? That's totes weird. I should be thanking you. I had a great time today." Leni says laying her head back.
"Looks like my girls have return from their raid on the mall." Rita says walking into the room. "You're just in time for dinner, Leni."
"Mom, if I eat one more thing, I'll like, burst." Leni says while rubbing her stomach.
"I took her out to dinner afterwards, Rita. I know I should have called and informed you. It's just that we were having such a grand time...I simply forgot. I'm sorry." Alicia says rather sheepishly.
Rita smiles at this grown woman who, at the moment, sounds like one of her daughters. "It's okay, Alicia. I wasn't worried. I knew she was in good hands." It is then Rita notices the plethora of packages around her daughter. "Good gracious, Leni Loud. Did you leave anything in the stores for the other people?" She then turns and looks at the treasure trove around Alicia's feet. "The same goes for you."
The albino shrugs, "What can I say? We were having a good time."
"Well, anyway take your things upstairs, Leni. We don't want to clutter up the living room."
"Okay, mom." Leni says with somewhat tired tone. It is obvious that she is reluctant to move from her spot just yet. However, being the good daughter that she is she complies with her mother's wishes immediately. Once the teenager is out of earshot, Rita turns to Alicia but the albino holds up a hand.
"I know what you're going to say, Rita. She tried to decline the stuff I bought for her. She really, really did. If anything I forced the gifts on her." The woman then clasps her hands in front of her. "Please, let her keep the stuff. It made me so happy to see her happy. I promise that I'll go easier the next time out."
Rita looks at her guest, smiles and shakes her head. "Okay, only if you'll cut back the next time. After all, we don't want to spoil her."
"If I may be so bold. I feel at her age a little spoiling is a good thing. Just a little, that is." Alicia chuckles and Rita does the same. "But in all seriousness, she is a beautiful person and I mean beautiful where it truly counts. You and your husband did a great job with her."
"Thank you, Alicia. Oh, and speaking of good jobs with children. May I congratulate you on the job you've done with Lance. He's having dinner with us as we speak."
"What?"
Rita gets up. "Come see for yourself."
Alicia follows her host into the area where the younger members of the Loud family take their meals. There sitting next to Lucy she finds..."
"Lance."
"Oh, hi mom. I came over earlier to visit with Lucy and the Louds were good enough to invite me to dine with them. I called dad and informed him of the invite. He said that it was all right with him."
"No problem, sweetheart. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Very much so. Lucy is a wealth of information and the others have been more than kind to me."
Alicia shrugs, "Well, so long as you're enjoying yourself. Carry on, soldier."
"Yes ma'am." Lance replies with a tiny smile.
Rita and Alicia return to the living room where Alicia turns to her host and excitedly takes both her hands. "This is just too amazing!"
"What is?" Rita asks with some confusion showing on her face.
"He came over here alone and of his own free will."
"Yes, kids do stuff like that all the time, Alicia."
"No, not my Lancelot, anyway. He's been painfully shy all his life. But Lucy...this family...they're like some sort of magic elixir for him. Rita...I...I..." The albino suddenly clamps a hand over her mouth and sits down and quietly weeps. Rita kneels down next to her and places an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry for making a scene. It's just...I'm so happy. Thank you, Rita. Thank you, so very much."
"But I didn't do anything."
"Oh, yes you did. You and your husband produced this incredible family and it's helping my boy." Alicia says wiping her tears away. "Who would have believed that help for my boy lay here in Michigan. I'm so glad we came here and found you guys."
"I'm glad you found us, too." She gives her guest and appraising look. "Would you like something to drink?"
Alicia looks up, "You mean, drink...drink?"
"I've got a nice bottle of Merlot just waiting to be opened."
"Rita Loud. You are an angel."