Chapter 4: Saying Goodbye

Rita made arrangements to sell Vanzilla to the junkyard; and they were going to get a nice sum of money for it. Lucy was in a good mood, as she was in charge of planning Vanzilla's funeral. She was a little disappointed since she wasn't able to bury the van.

So instead, they'd have a wake when it came to Vanzilla to be towed away. While most of the family continued on with their business as usual, Lynn Sr. and Lana were now depressed. They didn't want to do anything or see anybody.

Lynn Sr. didn't want to cook, and even closed Lynn's Table for a couple days. Lana didn't want to play in mud, or with Charles, and when she was offered a chance to plunge the toilet she refused.

On the day of Vanzilla's wake, everyone dressed in black, and met outside. They all sat in chairs, and Lucy stood before them.

"Loud family, we're here to say goodbye to our beloved Vanzilla." Lucy started.

Lana and Lynn Sr. sniffled and even chocked up.

"He's been with us for a long time, he brought each of us home from the hospital, took us to and from school, to different fun places, and even to some not to fun places."

The other siblings got some nostalgic yet somber looks on their faces.

"Now, if any of you want to come up and say something about Vanzilla, please do now."

Being the oldest, Lori went first.

"I grew up with Vanzilla. And it was the first car I learned to drive, and I'm sorry he's leaving us."

Leni decided to go next.

"I'll miss Vanzilla. Even though there were times where the seats were uncomfortable it was a nice van."

Next it was Luna's turn.

"Vanzilla had a rocking style. I enjoyed listening to the radio, coming up with different tunes and listening to the different tunes it made."

Luan's turn was next.

"I've pulled a lot of pranks in Vanzilla. Whether it was whoopie cushions, pillow airbags, or fake spiders, Vanzilla was a great place to pull a good prank on the go."

Lynn went next.

"Vanzilla took me to all kinds of games and matches. Football, soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, wrestling, and all sorts of other stuff. Whether I or my team won or lost Vanzilla got me there."

Lincoln's eulogy was next.

"Vanzilla's been good to all of us over the years. Sure it had bad seats, and it broke down a lot, but it was our family car. And I'll miss it."

"Thank you Lincoln, since I'm hosting this wake, won't be giving my eulogy at the end. Lana and Lola you're next."

While Lola got up, Lana didn't budge.

"Vanzilla took me to a lot of my pageants. I remember at the first pageant I won I pretended that Vanzilla was a limo and I was a big pageant star."

"Thank you, Lola. Lisa you're next."

Lisa then gave her little eulogy.

"Even though, as a girl of science I know all things eventually comes to an end. But I do feel somber saying goodbye to Vanzilla. It was a good vehicle, and I will miss riding in it."

After she was done, Lily fussed from Rita's lap.

"Looks like Lily wants to say something too."

She put her down, and Lily toddled up front. All she said was,

"Bye bye."

Everyone awed. Rita went next.

"We've had Vanzilla for a long time. It's like a part of the family, and I will miss it. And it's going to be hard to say goodbye, but we had some great times together." she said sincerely.

"Dad, Lana, is there anything you'd like to say?" Lucy wanted to know.

Everyone looked at the two, who still had depressed looks on their faces.

"You know, talking about it and getting those feelings off your chest may help you feel better."

The two looked at each other, and then Lana went up.

"The first car I ever fixed was Vanzilla. (Sniffs), it was so much fun. Whenever I tuned it up, fixed a tire or changed its' oil, it made me feel good."

Then tears started flowing.

"Thank you, Lana. That's enough."

Lana then stepped down, sat back down in her seat, and burst into tears. Luckily Rita comforted her.

"Dad?" Lucy asked.

Lynn Sr. took a deep breath, and then got up. He took a deep breath, and began talking.

"Vanzilla's been in our family for a long time. It was my father's, and my grandfather's car. Lincoln I'm sorry, I won't be able to pass it down to you."

"It's okay, Dad." Lincoln assured.

"I spent my whole life with that van. It took me to and from school, dates with with your mother, it brought all of you home from the hospital, and it saw most of your grow up. (Sniffs), there are so many memories that we shared with Vanzilla. I'll miss it so much."

Tears began to form in his eyes. Lucy was about to say he could stop, but Lynn Sr. stopped her.

"You're right, Lucy. I need to let this all out."

Lynn Sr. went on telling stories about Vanzilla's early days and crazy stories about it. When he finished everyone was sniffling and had red eyes from crying. Lucy then said her eulogy.

"Vanzilla was a wonderful van. Like a true member of our family, it's sad to see it go but all life even if it the said deceased isn't exactly alive. But it's time for Vanzilla to move on." she told.

And then, it was time. The people from the junkyard came, and got Vanzilla hooked up to be towed away. The Louds all stood in the driveway and watched as Vanzilla was towed down the street, and eventually out of sight.

They all stood in a moment of silence, until Lincoln spoke up.

"Well...it's gone now."

"Let's get back inside. We'll have to get started on dinner soon." Rita mentioned.

"I don't really feel like cooking, honey." Lynn Sr. told her.

"Don't worry. I already have that covered."

Later that evening, Rita ordered some pizzas for dinner. That way they didn't have to worry about cooking, pizza was a good comfort food, and it could put a smile on their faces.

"You know even though today was our final goodbye to Vanzilla. The pizza makes me feel a little better." said Luna.

"Pizza makes everything better." Leni piped up.

As Rita ate another slice, she looked over at her husband and Lana. They were slowly eating their pizza slices.

"Don't worry, Mother." comforted Lucy.

"They're still going to the healing process."

That's chapter 4