I do not own The Loud House. All rights belong to Nickelodeon.
Chapter 21
The day of the Veteran's Art contest had arrived. It was quite the event at the museum, as dozens of people came with their families and friends. There was all sorts of art, from paintings to drawings to pottery to painted vases. Some of the competition was fierce, and some big names, including Bill Buck and his agent, showed up. Lincoln's family showed up with his girlfriend, Stella, his best friend Clyde, and his other friends from school, Zach, Liam, and Rusty, along with their girlfriends. Many of the people attending were veterans from all branches of the US military – Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force. There were both active duty people and ones who served in previous wars, including Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Gulf War.
The contest was simple. Everyone had a table where their art was displayed, and both the people and the judges would walk around and gaze at everyone's art. The judges would look carefully at each art piece and write down their score and any additional notes.
Ms. DiMartino was so proud of Lincoln's art that she went the extra mile to ensure it would not be damaged on the way to the art contest. She found the perfect frame for it. Once it arrived, everyone was in awe of its magnificence. Rita and Lincoln's sisters had not seen Lincoln's latest artwork, but they were just as amazed as everyone else when they did. Their jaws were hanging down, and their eyes were wide open in awe.
"Lincoln . . . you drew this?" Lori questioned.
"Yes, I did. I wanted it to be a surprise. So, that's why I didn't show you guys," Lincoln answered.
"It's literally incredible!"
"Lincoln, your art skills continue to grow and amaze us," Rita complimented.
"Yeah, you're like one of those really great artists – the highly skilled ones. What was the name of the artist who created the artwork for those 1000-piece puzzles that Dad always had? He was an excellent painter, and he painted mostly scenery and nice houses, but he also made some really nice Disney paintings before he died. Tom something," Leni asked while trying to remember.
"Thomas Kinkade?" Lincoln guessed.
"Yeah! That's it. Lincoln, you're like him but with colored pencils," Leni smiled.
"Ah, Thomas Kinkade, what an artist. Man, he had talent and skill."
Luan placed her hand on her brother's shoulder. "I think he would be impressed if he saw this," she said.
"Yeah, little bro. I mean, look at this! This is amazing!" Luna added excitedly.
"Indeed. The colors of this drawing flow flawlessly, and it's actually quite fascinating that you drew each soldier accurately to match the time era they were in with said war and conflict. It's easy to see that you did your research. Good job, Lincoln," Lisa praised while adjusting her glasses.
Then a familiar voice spoke from behind them, "I agree. Your art is amazing beyond words."
Everyone turned to see an older man with snow-white hair, just like Lincoln, with a grey mustache. If he were twenty or so years younger, you'd swear he was Lincoln's real father, but he's actually Lincoln's grandfather on his mother's side, Pop-Pop – he was wearing his Vietnam veteran hat. Beside him was a woman younger than him with brown hair and a beauty mole – Albert's girlfriend, Myrtle, aka Gran-Gran.
"Pop-Pop! Gran-Gran!" Lincoln called excitedly.
"Come here, cutie!" Myrtle smiled joyfully
He ran over and hugged them, and they hugged him back. The sisters hugged him, but Pop-Pop kept his arms around Lincoln. He looked up at his daughter Rita, and his smile disappeared. Rita felt nervous as Albert gave her this look, and she knew what that look meant.
While keeping his eyes on her, Pop-Pop said, "Kids, go explore the museum with Gran-Gran. I need to have a word alone with your mother."
They heard the seriousness in his voice and knew that by the look he had locked on Rita, he meant business – he wasn't messing around. Myrtle collected the kids, and they went around the corner out of sight but stayed to listen to the conversation.
Myrtle whispered, "Your grandfather is mighty upset with your mother. I'm sticking around to make sure he doesn't lose his temper, but stay here."
Lincoln and his sisters nodded.
Rita started, "Dad, I—"
"Shh," Albert shushed.
He made a hand gesture to follow her. They went to an isolated and quiet part of the museum. Lincoln and his sisters followed close, making no noise and staying out of sight. Albert leaned against a railing with a sharp inhale and exhale.
"I may be retired, Rita, but that doesn't mean I don't watch the news or hear things," Albert started and then turned to her, "And I'm hearing things. A lot of things."
Rita tried to speak, "Dad—"
"Sister Fight Protocol, Lincoln running away from home, being sent to the hospital after getting hit by a car, the trial . . . what the goddamn hell were you thinking?" Albert asked.
Rita inhaled deeply and then spoke.
"Lynn and I never meant for things to get out of hand. We thought if we let the girls hash it out, they'd work it out, but we never thought Lincoln would get caught in the crossfire and get hurt. We never wanted that," Rita said.
"Yeah, well, he did get hurt, didn't he? He ran away from home because he felt he couldn't go to his own parents for help. That's how unsafe he felt. He was that scared. Hell, he said it himself that he barely knows his Lynn. A son saying that his own father is more of a stranger than family, that's when you know the old man is doing something wrong – really wrong. And you . . . you let your daughters run wild in the house, letting them do whatever they want? When they fight, it's a free-for-all where someone can hurt, including themselves? That's how you raised them?" Albert replied.
"Dad, we didn't purposely raise them like this! Do you know how hard it is raising eleven children?" Rita asked.
Albert looked at her before he scoffed and shook his head.
"Do you think I have all the time in the world to discipline them properly or—"
Her father silenced her with a quick slap on her cheek. It wasn't too hard, but enough to make a loud sound. Rita backed away while groaning and clenching her teeth behind her lips to harden herself not to cry. She looked at her father, who was giving her a fierce look.
"That's no excuse. This is unacceptable, young lady," Albert jabbed and then pointed at her, "If I were a lesser man . . . I'd disown you for what you did."
Rita's eyes widened as those words stabbed her like swords. The sisters softly gasped while covering their mouths in shock.
"Your mother and I raised you better than this. This is not the appropriate kind of behavior or parenting. A parent does not neglect their children. 'Eleven kids,' Do you seriously think that's an excuse?"
Rita closed her eyes and swallowed a lump in her throat. She spoke hoarsely, "I'm sorry, Dad."
"Huh?" Albert replied.
"I said I'm sorry. I'm sorry this happened. I'm sorry that I'm a failure as a mother. I'm sorry my only son didn't trust me or his father to stop his sisters fighting. I'm sorry that he ran away from home. I'm sorry that I'm not perfect like Mom. I'm sorry that—"
"Sorry?" Albert interrupted loudly and marched over to her, "Sorry? Oh, you're sorry. Do you think that 'sorry' is going to cut it? You think sorry makes up for all that you've done? And you think this is about your mother? This ain't about her. This is about a goddamn principal. Something that every decent human being should know."
'Okay, that's it,' Lincoln thought and whispered to his sisters, "Stay here."
"No! Lincoln!" Lori hissed as she tried to grab him, but it was too late.
However, before he could step out from around the corner, Myrtle went ahead before him.
"Albert!" Myrtle called, and they turned to him, "She's had enough."
Lincoln came from the corner and stood beside Gran-Gran, "Please, don't be so mad at her. She knows what she did, and she really is sorry."
Albert stared at his grandson and girlfriend as he walked over.
"I know you're angry and disappointed in my parents, but they know they messed up. Gramps chewed them out, and Uncle Lance threatened Mom," Lincoln stated.
Albert's eyes slightly widened as he glanced at Rita, and she nodded that it was true.
"Threatened? What, like kill, threatened?" Albert asked.
"No," Rita spoke hoarsely, "He said that if something like this happens again, he and Sharon will take custody of Lincoln."
Myrtle's eyes widened as she glanced at Albert. He remained silent, and Lincoln continued.
"I know bad things have happened, but Mom is doing everything in her power to make things right with me and my sisters. Dad is doing what he can from the hospital, but he knows he messed up, too. Since then, Mom and I have . . . we've really connected, Pop-Pop. For the first time in a long time—" Lincoln said. He rubbed his face to resist the urge to cry, "—my mother has been my mother for me . . . and in a house of eleven kids, that didn't happen a lot for me. So, trust me when I say this. Mom is doing better."
"Remember what we talked about, Al, giving people a second chance. Everyone deserves one, especially if they want to make things right," Myrtle said.
Albert turned to look at his daughter, and she cleared her throat before looking at her father with watery eyes. Pop-Pop turned to Lincoln and approached.
"I felt a hurricane of conflicting emotions when I saw on the news what had happened to my one and only grandson. It's bad enough that you got hurt, but it's worse knowing that my own flesh and blood did this to you. So, of course, I am profoundly disappointed in your mother and that idiot dummy of a father of yours. Yeah, I saw that motorcycle stunt of his. I've met my share of morons in my day, but . . . that really takes the cake," Albert explained.
"Al, tone it down," Myrtle warned in a firm tone.
There was a long moment of silence. The gravity of the situation weighed a ton. The sisters felt a hole in their chests, filling them with guilt and shame. Of course, their grandfather would be upset over what happened to Lincoln. It's one thing to hear of your kin getting hurt in an accident or by a total stranger, but being hurt by their own kin is even worse.
"However, I believe in second chances like you do," Albert said. Then he turned to Rita, "But consider this your first and second strike. Something like this happens again, and I will not hesitate to take Lincoln away for his own safety. Do I make myself clear, Rita Loud?"
"Crystal," Rita replied.
"My trust in you is on thin ice, young lady. One more hiccup, and you're in the deep end."
It was quiet for a few seconds, and then Albert pulled Lincoln for a hug, and Lincoln hugged him back. Myrtle took Albert to talk with him, and then they returned to the art galleries where everyone else was, leaving Rita and Lincoln alone. The sisters slowly emerged from around the corner. Rita used all her strength to stop herself from crying, but the tears escaped her eyes, rolled down her cheeks, and passed her quivering lips. Lincoln hugged his mother close, and the other sisters joined in on the hug as Rita softly sobbed.
Most often, the children need comfort from their parents, but sometimes it can be the other way around. Parenthood is not an easy road. After a long while, Rita was able to compose herself as she wiped her tears.
"Are you okay, Mom?" Leni asked.
Rita nodded, "Yeah . . . that was (sigh) that was the first time he ever hit me. God, what would my mother say if she saw me now?"
No one answered that.
"Lincoln, would it have been worse if you and Gran-Gran hadn't intervened?"
Lincoln pulled out two light orbs, "A little, yeah, but not a lot. However, if the bad luck incident had happened, then he actually would have disowned you . . . and the girls. Gramps' reaction is a lot worse than Pop-Pop's."
Everyone looked into the light orbs that were colorless. It would have been worse if Lincoln hadn't intervened, but not a lot. They saw Albert's angry face as he was yelling at Rita. The second light orb showed a darker future. What gave them chills was how Gramps was treating Lynn Sr. Not only was he screaming, but he was also hitting him. It was like a scene from Road to Perdition, but it was more intense, as Gramps hit a crying Lynn Sr. while yelling, "I curse you! I curse you! I curse the day you were born! Damn you! Damn you, you godless son of a bitch! Look at what you've done! Look at what you've done, YOU GODLESS SON OF A BITCH!"
The mother and sisters were silent after Lincoln made the light orbs disappear.
"It's strange, isn't it? One bad event can lead to so many others. That old saying, 'dodged a bullet,' isn't too far off from an actual bullet and the damage it can do," Lincoln said.
The sisters, especially the older sisters, couldn't hold back their tears as they hugged Lincoln. Lincoln did his best to comfort his family by hugging them and kissing their heads and faces.
"Those terrible things didn't happen. So, why does it feel like they actually did happen?" Lucy asked in a sorrowful tone.
"I suspect that it's a combination of multiple different elements. The guilt of what happened, what could have happened, and the realization of what we're capable of added more guilt to our subconscious. Because of that, we've seen the visions so many times in our nightmares that now it's like we've already lived them," Lisa explained while adjusting her glasses.
"I think that is absolutely true," Lincoln agreed.
"God, Lincoln," Rita spoke as he turned to her. Rita's hand gently caressed his cheek, "All that time while you were waiting for this terrible event to happen, you kept seeing it over and over in your dreams. That must have been pure Hell for you."
She teared up before she squeezed her son into a hug. He hugged her back.
"I know those events haven't happened, and they won't, but I'm so scared of losing Lincoln. That's what scares me the most," Leni spoke.
"Come here, Leni," Lincoln said. Leni hugged him and Rita, "All of you, come here."
The rest of the sisters obeyed and were in a group hug again.
"Can you girls hear me?" Lincoln asked.
They nodded.
"Good, because I'm going to say something. I'm going to say it loud and clear. So, listen to what I have to say, alright?"
They nodded again.
"I'm not going anywhere," Lincoln pulled out a light orb. It was colorless and blurry, but it showed the bad luck incident, "Those bad futures are not going to happen. Do you know why? Because you did that. You changed that, and you did it out of love. If there were no love for me, then nothing would have changed . . . but they did. So, why in the world would I leave a family who would change themselves for me because they love me?"
The mother and sisters remained silent as their eyes widened.
"The answer is I wouldn't. I'm not leaving you. I'm staying right here with you. Even if I'm on the other side of the world, I'm still with you in your hearts. Focus on that. Focus on all the good things that have happened between us. Remember all the good memories. Remember the love we have. Remember that. Can you remember that for me?" Lincoln asked.
They nodded.
"Good. Now, who loves you?"
"You do," Lynn asked.
Lincoln smirked, "You who?"
"You! Lincoln Loud."
"Whose Lincoln Loud? Sounds like a handsome fellow who loves his beautiful and charming sisters. You know what? Forget about Lincoln. Tell me more about these Loud sisters. They sound interesting. I'm wondering if I can take them to Dairyland or Japan or New Zealand or Paris, France," Lincoln said.
The girls softly chuckled while wiping their tears – Leni lit up when she heard Paris. Lincoln kissed their cheeks, and they kissed back. Lynn stuck to her brother like glue, clinging to his arm as they walked around the art museum until it was time for the judges to choose their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. The first three will display their art in the museum, but the first-place winner will have the war art exhibit named after them in their honor.
Stella and Clyde joined Lincoln as they explored the museum. Lincoln had his girlfriend clinging to one arm and his sister to the other. They chatted casually for a while about art and school life. Then, it was time, and everyone gathered for the event in the main hall in front of all the exhibits. As they came in, Lincoln received respectful nods and friendly waves from the veterans, and Lincoln returned the same. Pop-Pop saluted fellow Marines, both retired and active duty, and they, of course, saluted back.
The host spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. It was a hard choice, for much of the art presented showed great talent and skill, so we had to make sure. We are pleased to say that the judges have come to a decision of our winners."
The three art pieces were covered by red blankets on stage by the judges.
"Third place winner, Ernest Harthway!"
Everyone clapped as the blanket was lifted to reveal his art of World War II soldiers marching in the snow during the Battle of the Bulge.
"Second place winner, Kattie Pattinson!"
Everyone clapped as the blanket was lifted to reveal her art of Patriots fighting the Redcoats at Bunker Hill.
"And finally, our first-place winner."
There was a pause that left the audience waiting eagerly in anticipation. Some of Lincoln's sisters clasped their hands together, and some had their fingers crossed.
"Lincoln Loud!"
The blanket lifted to show his masterpiece to the audience, and everyone cheered and applauded. Lincoln was called to the stand with the other two winners to receive his award. It was a fancy hand-blown glass globe trophy with many sparkling colors. Lincoln's eyes glistened at the sight of it as they handed it to him. He smiled and shook hands with the host and director of the museum as their pictures were taken. Lincoln's family and friends were so proud.
Then they put up the golden plaque:
"The Lincoln Loud Veterans Art Gallery"
Lincoln's family hugged him again while smothering his face with kisses.
"O-M-Gosh! Lincoln! You won! That is so totes amazing!" Leni squealed as she hugged Lincoln from behind.
"Right on, little bro! Your art nailed it!" Luna complimented.
"Of course, he was going to win. Those other works were nice, but Lincoln's art is a masterpiece!" Lola added.
"Totally. Although I've been meaning to ask, did you know you would win?" Lana asked quietly.
"Nah, sometimes it's nice to be taken by surprise in a good way," Lincoln answered.
"That trophy is so pretty," Lucy said, looking at it.
"I know. It's so sparkly with so many colors," Luan added.
"Hey," Lynn spoke, and Lincoln turned to her, "Good job, bro. You really did amazing."
"Thanks, Lynn," Lincoln replied with a smile. Lynn pulled him for a hug, feeling safe.
Pop-Pop and Myrtle came over, and of course, Myrtle was so proud, congratulating Lincoln and pinching his cheek. She even made a gift. An oversized sweater she knitted made so two siblings could fit inside it.
"Oh, good. Now Leni and I have one that we can share," Lori stated.
She and Leni put it on, looking cute. Lily smiled and looked at her big brother, "Share!"
The baby giggled as she pulled Lincoln's shirt over herself. Everyone adored the cute moment as they went, "Awwww!"
"So adorable!" Leni said.
"Lily, could you be any more precious than you are now?" Lincoln asked with a smile.
Lily laughed and then blew raspberries on Lincoln's belly, making him chuckle, and the others laugh too.
The new exhibit was finally opened, and they hung up the three winners' art, including Lincoln's. As everyone explored the new gallery, Lincoln took this chance to bond with his grandfather alone while Myrtle was with his family.
"You okay, Pop-Pop? You're still upset over what happened with my family?" Lincoln asked.
"No. Well, yes, actually. But that's not it. I just read a . . . a godawful story," Pop-Pop answered.
"Yeah?"
Pop-Pop nodded and explained, "Yeah, written by some shmuck named Chris something – Davino or Powvino, Whamvino, whatever. Anyway, the story is basically about this boy whose older sister is so fixated on winning that she gets so lost in that she's . . . she's basically nuts. Then, some things happen: the sister loses a game, and she's so angry at her brother that she beats the snot out of him, bends him into a pretzel, and yells what a horrible brother he is. The brother runs away from home, and the sister later comes to her senses and apologizes to him, and here's the kicker. He forgives her! Just like that! (snaps his fingers) After doing so many horrible things to him, he just forgives her."
"Just like that?" Lincoln asked.
"Yeah. No punishment. No justice. Nothing. She gets off scot-free, and the brother is totally okay with it. It ends with the moral lesson being that all you need is the 'honest word.' Not all actions speak loud, but the honest word speaks the loudest of all. Louder than actions."
Lincoln stopped walking dead in his tracks. He slowly turned to look over his shoulder at his grandfather with a raised eyebrow and a look that said, 'Are you serious?'
"Honest word speaks the loudest of all? Louder than actions?" Lincoln asked.
"Yeah. Don't tell your mother I cussed in front of you, but that is total bullcrap! Actions speak louder than words because actions show who people really are. Anyone can say anything. It doesn't take courage to say something brave. It takes courage to DO something brave, selfless, or honorable. Anyone can talk the talk, but how many people can actually walk the walk?"
Lincoln nodded, "Yeah. I hear you. It's hard to see people who they really are by what they say rather than what they do. Also, for people's 'honest word,' how do you always know that what they say is actually honest?"
Pop-Pop turned to Lincoln while snapping his fingers, "Exactly! Because the only way you can know for sure is by their honest actions! I tell ya, champ. That story was bad. It's actually sending not only a misguided message but a harmful one – that you can get away with things like betrayal, bullying, abuse, and assault. It's saying that a simple, heartfelt apology can make up for all that, which it doesn't. You don't betray your own flesh and blood, treat him like a pariah, beat him, and a 'sorry' and get off the hook just like that."
Lincoln couldn't help but compare that awful story with his situation. How could he simply forgive Lynn if the bad luck incident happened? How could he forgive any of them if the Sister Fight Protocol had gone from bad to worse if they had beaten him? How could he forgive himself if he had beaten them?
Then, as they walked and looked at the art, Lincoln remembered something Clyde had told him. He remembered Clyde talking and showing him clips of Fred Rogers. Fred Rogers talked and tried to explain deep and complex things to children, like death, war, assassination, and other things that most children don't understand. Among those things he talked about were forgiveness and anger.
"Hey, Pop-Pop," Lincoln spoke.
His grandfather turned to him.
"Do you remember Fred Rogers?"
"You mean, 'Won't you be my Neighbor?' Yeah, I remember him. Nice man," Pop-Pop answered.
Lincoln continued, "He said a lot of things. One of the things he said was, 'The toughest thing is to love someone who has done something mean to you, especially when that someone has been yourself.' It's true. It's tough and hard to love someone who has hurt you and done something bad to you. It can be even harder to love yourself. Many people don't love themselves or even think about their qualities. Fred Rogers said it's important to look inside yourself and find that loving part of you and take good care of it because that's the part that allows you to love others or, in his words, your neighbor."
Albert slightly nodded in agreement.
"They even made a movie with Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, and I really like what he said in the movie about forgiveness. He said, 'Forgiveness is a decision we make to release a person from the feelings of anger that we have at them.' I hear what you're saying, and you're right. A simple sorry isn't going to cut it, but forgiveness is still a choice, and it's not always ours to make."
Albert nodded, "That is true. That is very true. However, while forgiveness is a choice, there are consciences when you forgive the wrong person. When you let people who have done bad things off the hook, that enables them to feel like they can get away with anything. There should always be justice for those who have been wronged. It's wrong to treat your own family horribly. It's wrong to betray them, to bully them, and to hurt them. Even if the person is sorry, they still have to be punished for what they did. You don't just let bad people walk because they said they're sorry."
Lincoln couldn't argue with that at all because he was right. In fact, his original plan was to have his family punished for the terrible things that would have happened to him. Something that Ronnie Anne was dying to see. Now that they haven't happened, it changed everything for him. While no one was looking, he looked at a light orb of a possible future of him and his father bonding together while another light orb showed his sisters and his mother defending him from Lynn Sr.
'He deserves a chance,' Lincoln thought.