Chapter two: A day with Lori
Lori and Natasha took the local train to the water park. The train was in three parts, and was red with a graphite gray window band. On the side was written in white letters, RWR, the abbreviation for Royal Woods Railway. The railcar stopped and the doors opened. To get off you have to walk down a flight of stairs, which had a railing in the middle. Lori got out and Natsha followed her, but got stuck between one part of the door and the banister in the middle of the stairs.
"Lori, please help me." said Natasha desperately.
"How the hell did you do that?" Lori said in panic.
Lori went to Natasha and took her hand. Lori noticed the other three doors close.
"Lori, the tram is about to leave." said Natasha panicked.
Lori now saw that the railway signal switched from red to green. Now she hears the converters preparing to switch on the electric motors.
"I can feel the door trying to close." said natasha, with even more fear.
The two heard a hiss coming from the brakes. They noticed the other doors open again. Then they heard footsteps behind Natasha.
"Can I help you?" it was the engine driver. "Yes, please." said Natasha relieved.
The driver pressed Natasha's back, and Lori pulls at Natashas Hands. Ten seconds later, the two freed Natasha.
"Is everything alright? Are you hurt?" asked the engine driver friendly. "Everything is OK." said Natasha.
"Next time you ride with us, please get on or off at one of the doors that has the stroller symbol. It doesn't have a railing in the middle." said the engine driver friendly and left.
Lori and natasha calm down first. Half a minute later the engines of the railcar roared and it drove off.
"Let's go?" asked Lori.
"Yes."
Lori and Natasha went to the water park. In the dressing room, Lori put on her Cherenkov bright blue bikini.
"Lori, I have a question." Natasha said from her dressing room. "Yes, what's up?"
"I need some help here. Not getting dressed but I haven't worn the bikini for about six months and if I do put it on I might fall over because I haven't worn it for six months."
"You just want me to make sure you don't fall over? I can do that." said Lori.
Lori went to Natasha in the locker room. She discreetly looked to the side so she could still see if Natasha was going to fall over. She heard that natasha was struggling to squeeze into the tight bikini.
"So, I'm ready." said Natasha.
Lori looked at Natasha and saw that she was wearing a black bikini.
"The last time I went swimming was in Middleton and that was six months ago. I must have gained weight over the winter." said Natsha, which her Belly confirmed.
"Let's go swimming?" asked Lori.
"Yes."
Lori and Natasha grabbed their bags and left the locker room.
The two placed their bags at two lounge chairs. They went to the wave pool. Lori was holding a red pool noodle and Natasha was holding a green pool noodle. Lori was obviously having fun. Natasha was easily overwhelmed with the waves.
"This is unusual." said Natasha.
"I thought you went swimming a lot?" said Lori.
"Yes. But only in rivers. There is only one current there, and when there are waves like that in a river, nobody with common sense goes swimming anymore. These waves overwhelm me."
"What do you want to do then?" asked Lori.
"Would you like to swim lanes with me?"
"With pleasure."
Lori and Natasha left the wave pool and went to the pool with the lanes. They entered the pool and took their positions.
"Ok, I'll count to three. One, two, three, go." said Lori.
They started swimming and Lori was very surprised because Natasha was damn fast. When Lori swam half the lane, Natasha crossed her. Lori had never seen anyone swim so fast. When Lori returned, Natasha was already out of the pool.
"Tell me how fast were you?" Lori asked confused. Natasha grinned.
"I had to swim against the current for years." said Natasha.
"Let's go on the blue slide?" Lori asked.
"For sure."
The two went to the slide and entered the wooden stairs on which seven other people were already standing. Natasha stood in front of Lori. She turned around.
"Have you been here often?" asked Natasha.
"Yes, otherwise I had to take care of my younger siblings." replied Lori. "How old are your siblings?"
My sister Leni is 16 years old and my youngest sister is fifteen months old." "Impressive."
Natasha turned around. When it was her turn, Natascha natasha lay down on her belly at the beginning of the slide and started to slide. However, Natascha was slightly stuck. She cursed briefly and reduced her volume by letting the air out of her lungs. Lori nudged her shoulder, and followed Natasha down.
"It's extremely fun." said Natasha. "That's why we're here." said Lori.
The two slide to the end without any problems, and Natasha realizes that she hasn't had this much fun in a long time.
When they got to the end, they decided to get into the lazy river. The two took a swim ring and let the current carry them. Lori suddenly heard a voice she recognized.
"I know you. How is Lori?" said Becky.
The red-haired girl wore a navy blue bikini and also let the current carry her.
"Hey Becky. What are you doing here." Lori asked happily.
"Well what? I spend my free time here. Who is the girl next to you?" Becky asked
"This is Natasha. She's new to Royal Woods and never ceases to amaze me." replied Lori.
"Where are you from Natasha? And do you like Royal Woods?" Becky asked.
"I like it here very much. And your other question, I'm from Middleton near Harrisburg." said Natasha. Becky thought.
"Middleton near Harrisburg. Wasn't that where the Three Mile Island nuclear accident happened in 1979?" Becky asked.
"You know a lot. My father worked at Three Mile Island, Block One. And now he works at Royal Woods One."
Becky offered her hand to Natasha. They shook her. "Welcome to Royal Woods, Natasha." said Becky kindly.
They floated in the lazy river for another ten minutes. Then they decided to go to the snack bar. They thought it would be a good ending to the day. They went to the diner. Your bags were with you. Lori ordered an iced tea, Becky got a smoothie, and Natasha ate a scoop of strawberry ice cream.
"It was a really good day." said Lori satisfied. "I can only agree." said Natasha.
"You get along well." said Becky.
"Why shouldn't we get along?" said Natasha.
Natasha reached into her pocket and pulled out a MacBook Air. She flipped it open and opened the photo app. She chose a photo and turned the MacBook Air over. On the screen was a photo of Natasha swimming in a river.
"This photo is about nine months old. Last year the weather was good for swimming. And the water has always been nice." said Natasha.
"I think I know where this picture was taken. Downstream from the nuclear power plant. You're right, the water under the Royal Woods nuclear power plant is always nice and warm too." said Becky.
"I didn't know you went swimming in the river, Becky." "Once in a while." replied Becky.
"You should see Natasha swim. She's very fast."
The three sat there for a while.
"Shall we go home?" asked Lori Natasha. "Yeah, it's time we go." replied Natasha. "Goodbye everyone." said Becky.
Natasha closed her MacBook Air and put it in her bag. The two said goodbye to Becky. They went to the locker room, and twenty minutes later they were at the tram stop. Then an announcement came through the speakers.
"Ladies an Gentlemen. Due to a defect in a railcar, this connection will fail. A replacement train will be provided."
"Damned." Lori cursed.
Lori looked at the scoreboard, and saw that it said, "Train cancellation. Backup service. 15'." Lori didn't ride the tram very often, but she knew a really old train was coming. She was right. After waiting fifteen minutes with Natasha, an olive green four-axle railcar that looked like it was built in the 1950's arrived. He stopped, the doors opened and the two got in. The two stood in a luggage compartment, which contained a gray switch cabinet. A yellow square was applied to the door of the control cabinet with a black lightning bolt printed on it. Next to the lightning bolt was a skull, and underneath it was written in red letters, "High voltage! Danger to life! Only open when the pantograph is lowered!" Before the railcar drove off, the two of them heard a snap and a bang from the control cabinet, and Lori saw a blue flash of light in the ventilation slits every time there was a snap or a bang. The contactors of the tap changer came to life. Lori got goosebumps.
"What the hell." said Lori.
The electric motors roared and it became very loud. Then Natasha said something, but had to say it very loud.
"What is?"
"That sound gives me goosebumps." said Lori. "Understandable."
They drove towards the train station.
"I've got to get out of here." said Lori, who was already sweating.
She opened the door to the passenger compartment. There were a lot of people there. Lori walked through. and Natasha followed her. Then they reached another door and they went through it. They were behind the cab now.
"I don't like that sound. It reminds me of being electrocuted from a broken lamp as a child." said Lori.
"I hope it wasn't that bad."
"No, but very painful."
The railcar pulled into the station. He stopped and the door of the cap opened. The train driver came out.
"I hope the trip was pleasant." he said kindly.
"Yes, but the noise in the luggage compartment was annoying." said Lori. "Better than no tram." said the engine driver.
"What is the reason for the other railcar's defect?" asked Natasha. "Engine failure. It had to be towed."
Lori and Natasha got out. They noticed that twilight was beginning. An announcement came from the station loudspeaker.
"Royal Woods, your next connections. Express Tram 1, to Great Lake City, departing 7:13 p.m., Platform 4. Express to New York City, departing 7:29 p.m., Platform 1."
They talked on the way to the Loud House.
"That was a good day." said Lori.
"I didn't think it would be so great here." said Natasha.
"Yes, almost."
"What's the downside?"
"My boyfriend, Bobby, lives in Great Lake City. It takes 3 hours by car, and 4 by express tram to get to Great Lake City."
They kept walking. They arrived at the Louds' house. Rita and Lynn senior stood in front of the house, the rest of the family was in Vanzilla. Rita held Lily in her hands.
"Hi Lori. Can you babysit Lily while we visit Aunt Ruth." asked Rita. "Yes of course." said Lori.
"Who is the girl next to you?" asked Rita.
"This is my new friend Natasha. She's new to Royal Woods." said Lori. "Welcome to Royal Woods, Natasha." said Lynn senior kindly.
"How did you two become friends so quickly?" asked Rita. "No Clue." said Lori.
Rita handed Lily over to Lori.
"We have to go. Bye Lily. Bye you two." said Rita.
Rita and Lynn senior left the house.
"Hello Lily. How are you?" Lori said happily.
"Lo-i." said Lily cheerfully.
Lily kissed Lori on the cheek. Lori then kissed Lily on her forehead. Lily laughed. "She is cute." said Natasha.
Lori took Lily up the stairs in her arms. Natsha followed them. They entered Lori's room and started playing hide and seek. Lily hid under Lori's bed. Natsha knew where she was but acted like they didn't know where Lily was. Natasha looks in the closet, and Lori peeks behind the door.
"Where is Lily?" said Natasha.
"Yes. She's the best at hiding." said Lori.
Lily giggled.
Lori slowly creeps to her bed. She bends down and pulls the blanket away. "Got you!" said Lori.
Lori picked Lily up. She kept giggling and tried to cling to Lori's face. Lori and Lily continued to cuddle. Natsha watched the two. Lori put her lips to Lily's stomach and started blowing. Lily thought this was great. She laughed.
"Lori, one question, can I use your shower? The water heater at our house is in need of maintenance and we don't have hot water." said Natasha.
"Yes, of course. Feel free to use them." said Lori.
Natasha left Lori's room. Lori sat on the floor with Lily. Lily crawled towards Lori.
"And Lily, do you like Natasha?" asked Lori.
"Na-asha." said Lily.
"Well done Lily." said Lori happily
Lily climbed onto Lori's shoulder. She began snuggling into Loris' hairdo. Lori's hair felt like a pillow to Lily.
"Lily, please."
Lori liked it when Lily snuggled her hair, but at the same time she didn't like it because she had to redo her hair afterwards. Lori had a strong bond with each of her siblings. But she shared a particularly strong bond with Lily. So Lily was the only one allowed to touch Lori's hair. Lori took Lily in her arms and looked at her.
"Lily, never forget that. Never judge a person from the outside." Lori said in a calm voice.
Lori looked at Lily. It looked like Lily understood. Lily shifted in Lori's arms, and Lori knew Lily wanted to get down on the floor. Lori sat Lily on her lap and Lily stayed there.
"You know, Natasha isn't fat because she eats a lot. She has an illness that makes her fat." Lily stared into Lori's eyes.
"It makes no difference where you come from or what you look like. What do you think, should I ask Natasha for her phone number?"
Lily made noises that sounded like a yes.
"I knew I could talk to you. You are a dear sister."
Lori kissed Lily on the forehead. Lily giggled.
"I have to apologize again for standing on your phone back then." Lori said softly.
"Phone." said Lily.
Lily stood up and wrapped her small arms around Lori. Lori smiles. She puts her right hand on Lily's back and hugs Lily back.
"I ove you." said Lily.
Even though Lily couldn't pronounce the word properly, it meant a lot to Lori. "I love you too." Lori said softly.
When Natasha finished showering, she said her father was here to pick her up. Lori asked Natasha for her phone number and Natasha gave it to her. Natasha walked down to the porch, Lori following her with Lily in her arms. Lily was awake but tired. A white VW Golf was parked in front of the Louds' house. A man in his forties with dark gray hair sat in the driver's seat.
"No thanks. I was happy to do this."
"This day was good. I have to thank you. Bye Lori, see you." said Natasha.
Natasha leaned towards Lily.
"Bye Lily."
Natasha went to the car and got in. Lori waved at her and watched with Lily as Natasha drove away. Lily yawned.
"You're tired, aren't you? It's time for bed." Lori said softly.
Lori went into the house and closed the door quietly. She ran up the stairs and went into Lily and Lisa's room. She realized that Lily must have fallen asleep in her arms. She laid Lily in her crib and gently covered her with her purple blanket. Lily snuggled into her blanket.
"Good night Lily." Lori said softly, with a smile.
Lori watched Lily sleep for two minutes, then headed for the door. She turned around, looked at Lily one last time, turned off the light and left the room. Lily was sleeping peacefully now, and had sweet dreams.
End of chapter 2