Loud Visions 2

Chapter 6

To say that the public was brutal about Rita and Lynn Sr.'s neglectful parenting was an understatement, especially towards the father since he almost got Lana killed with his cowardly behavior. Social media clashed with each other, with people crucifying the Louds and those defending them. The Louds watched the news back home. Rita sat on the couch, holding Lincoln close as she stroked his snow-white hair. Most of the sisters weren't entirely okay with it, but they allowed it. Although, they were jealous and wanted Lincoln in their arms, especially Lynn. The young athlete was sitting with her arms crossed and one leg over the other, giving her mother a dirty look. Rita didn't see her as she had her eyes closed while she rested her cheek on her son's hair. Lincoln enjoyed the sensation of his mother's fingers gliding through the hair on his head as he sat on her lap. Such motherly affection didn't happen often with him.

Newscaster, "A support group calling itself 'Justice 4 Lincoln,' or J4L, is calling for the conviction of Rita and Lynn Sr. Loud for their poor parenting that caused their son, Lincoln, to run away from home. Lincoln Loud offers no comment and has requested the public to respect his privacy and his family. J4L's social media has been temporarily suspended due to making death threats towards the parents and those who defend them."

Listening to it all made everyone feel nauseous, disgusted, and uneasy about their situation. They didn't care that much about their reputation or all that. They were primarily worried about whether or not they would lose Lincoln. It was bad enough that they almost lost him and discovered what horrible things they would have done to him. They couldn't lose him . . . they just couldn't. They love him too much, and he's supported and held the family together through better or worse. They'd fall apart without him.

Lincoln grabbed the remote and turned it off. Then he said, "Leni, Lori, I think Mom could use a cup of coffee. Do you mind making her one?"

Lori nodded, "Yeah, I'll get it. I could use one myself."

"I know it's not Christmas, but I think some hot chocolate might make us feel better. Hot cocoa is kind of unhealthy. I was thinking hot chocolate would be better, but we can put mini marshmallows and some whipped cream," Leni said with a gentle smile.

"You know what, Leni? That sounds like a great idea. I would like a hot chocolate," Luan said while getting up.

Lincoln looked up at his mother to see that she was absolutely emotionally exhausted. Some of the sisters couldn't help but feel a little bad for her, but they all held a pill of resentment as they remembered Lincoln's vision. Everyone enjoyed the delicious hot chocolate and coffee. They turned the TV back on to watch something a little more positive – cartoons.

Some good pets have the unique ability to know when people are sad, lonely, or distressed, and the Louds' pets were one of said unique pets. Charles jumped up on the couch to sit by Lincoln and Rita. Cliff sat on Lynn's lap, Geo with Lori, Lucy's bats sat on her head and shoulder, and Walt sat on Leni's head. Charlies, Cliff, and Geo got scratches and belly rubs. Lincoln remembered from his vision that he showed Ronnie Anne and Stella where they burned all his family's belongings, and the pets ran away scared due to Lincoln's angry rampage. Thinking back on that made him feel a little guilty. He focused his thoughts on the memories of how the pets became part of the family. It was enough to make him a little happy. It was a quiet and peaceful evening for them without all the noise and drama. Then Lincoln got an incoming call from Clyde. He almost didn't answer it but chose to anyway.

"Hey, what's up, Clyde?" Lincoln asked.

At first, his face was tired and showed indifference, but as he listened to his best friend, his face soon turned extremely pensive.

"What?!" Lincoln asked, alarmed. His reaction got his family's attention, "When?!"

"Lincoln? What's wrong, honey?" Rita asked.