Later that morning when everyone finished breakfast, those who showered the night before began getting ready while Lincoln and the sisters except Lily and Lori waited in the long bathroom line. Today Aunt Ruth would be babysitting Lily the second time. Lincoln became lost in thought about who the attorneys would put on the stand to testify today until Luna, standing behind him tapped him on his right shoulder as Leni exited the bathroom.
"Bro it's your turn," she whispered so the boy rushed inside.
Lori, already dressed and wearing makeup passed them carrying her cell phone. She exited the house and stood beside the garage to avoid anyone inside hearing her speak. On Saturdays Bobby also worked at the supermarket from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bobby finished brushing his teeth after breakfast and heard his phone ring. Anticipating the call to be Lori's, he answered quickly.
"Hi boo…" Lori began nervously
"Lori, what was running through your family's mind, punishing Lincoln for lying because he wanted some free time? He could have suffered a heat stroke on the beach. I know your family sometimes takes things too seriously but this is outrageous," Bobby scolded.
"If it makes you feel better, we all regretted doing it, now mom and dad might go to prison because of it," Lori replied in a regretful tone.
"I really hope you're sorry, Lincoln is always sacrificing his own time to support you and your sisters," Bobby remarked
A couple seconds of awkward silence passed before the teenage girl asked Bobby weakly, "Does this mean we're through?"
Her beau rubbed his temples then replied, "I-I just don't know, but it's best if we don't speak with each other for a while."
"All right," Lori replied sadly. After hanging up, she returned inside the house.
In Royal Woods, Charlene Bolivar resided in the exclusive community of Royal Springs. At the moment she was almost dressed and soon ready to depart for the courthouse. At nine p.m last night, she received a call from the Royal Woods police Chief informing her about the Loud family home being searched for more evidence of child abuse. She was astonished upon being told the police officers found questionable evidence found in certain rooms. Ms. Bolivar became concerned about the Loud children after being told about the police finding the calendars showing the busy schedule for the sisters in the parents and Lincoln's rooms. She decided to call her neighbor, a pediatrician after hanging up and asked her to come to the trial tomorrow, to which her neighbor readily agreed.
Lisa waited patiently for her older sister's return in Lori and Leni's bedroom. Moments ago, on a hunch the genius decided to look inside the file cabinet where the Sister Fight Protocol journal was kept and discovered it missing. She immediately knew the police had taken it and just wanted to confirm with Lori if it was something to be concerned about.
"Do you need my help Lisa?" Lori asked a little puzzled as she entered the bedroom.
The stoic four year old began, "Yes, It seems during the search of our residence by the police yesterday evening they confiscated the journal containing the Sister Fight Protocol and the chart that I kept inside."
Somehow, Lori remained unfazed upon hearing that information, causing Lisa to wonder why she wasn't reacting negatively.
Lori responded calmly, "Lisa I'm definitely sure if the police reads it they'd think it's just a creative method of handling our disputes and think it's harmless girl stuff."
"Are you positive about that?" Lisa asked still unsure.
"Yes, definitely," Lori replied.
Just then Leni entered the room to get dressed and Lisa exited the room quietly.
Sometime later the Loud family and Albert were ready to leave and gathered in the living room waiting for Aunt Ruth to arrive which luckily only took three minutes.
Rita hurried to answer the doorbell and Ruth stepped inside.
"Good morning Ruthie," Rita greeted.
The elderly woman her brother with, "Good Morning Albert."
Lily woke up late so feed her lunch at 12:30, her lunch is on the second shelf of the fridge with her name," Rita instructed.
"I wish you good luck Rita and you too Lynn," Ruth replied.
Outside everybody climbed aboard Vanzilla, with Lincoln taking the sweet spot and Lucy the seat beside her brother. During the ride, everyone remained in a solemn mood with Rita hoping that today would end on a positive note. Meanwhile the McBride's were almost ready to leave but Howard was giving instructions to their cat sitter who arrived a little behind schedule.
Don't feed them too much Howard instructed the lady.
Harold peeped inside Clyde's bedroom and noticed his son frantically looking around his bedroom.
"What are you searching for Clyde?" Harold asked his son.
"I can't find my glasses," the boy replied.
"You probably left them in your bathroom," Harold suggested, and Clyde rushed into the room mentioned and found them on the sink. Seconds later, with Howard driving the McBride's started their journey.
Eventually the Loud family arrived at the courthouse. Lynn Sr. found a parking space that was a little shaded by trees. Inside the courtroom, they noticed Ms. Bolivar studiously perusing some papers laid out before her and Mr. Shapiro seated at the defendants table. Sitting in the third row in the gallery was an unknown Hispanic female who was Ms. Bolivar's neighbor.
"Good morning Mr. Shapiro," Rita greeted warmly
"Morning Mr. and Mrs. Loud," Mr. Shapiro replied.
Two minutes later Lincoln happened to turn around and became surprised to see Aunt Shirley and Uncle Ethan entering the courtroom
"Aunt Shirley and Uncle Ethan are here," Lincoln whispered in Luna's left ear.
Then the bailiff entered the courtroom followed by Judge Callahan seconds later.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Callahan," the bailiff announced
After the Judge was seated everyone returned to their seats then the bailiff said, "Court is now in session."
Judge Callahan looked at everyone with a serious expression then stated, "Let's begin where we left off from yesterday. Call your first witness, Mr. Shapiro."
"My first witness is Dr. Arnold Feinstein," he announced making the Loud children gasp in wonder and Rita looking puzzled
Rita's former boss entered the courtroom and smiled at her briefly after taking the witness seat.
Mr. Shapiro cleared his throat then began, "Dr. Feinstein, as your former employee, what was Mrs. Loud's job title?"
"Mrs. Loud was employed as a Dental Assistant. Ten years ago Rita was sent by the Head of the Royal Woods Community College dental school as a student to gain work experience which is a requirement for all dental students. I hired her two days before she graduated," Dr. Feinstein explained.
"Your patients include both adults and children, but mostly children. What kind of person was Mrs. Loud towards the children during their visits?" the defense attorney inquired.
"Rita showed a lot of patience towards them and spoke kindly to the children who were apprehensive about visiting the dentist," Dr. Feinstein replied.
"Overall would you say Rita Loud was an exemplary employee?" Mr. Shapiro asked.
"Absolutely, that's why I was astonished upon finding out she was arrested for child abuse. That's the reason I had to let her go," Dr. Feinstein said.
"You can step down Doctor," Mr. Shapiro told him.
Dr. Feinstein stopped in front the Loud parents on his way out and muttered, "Good Luck to both of you."
"Thanks Dr. Feinstein," Rita muttered.
Judge Callahan continued, "Would you call your first witness Ms. Bolivar."
"I'd like to call Dr. Julietta Ramirez to the stand," she announced. The Hispanic woman sitting in the third row approached the witness stand.
After Dr. Ramirez went through the swearing in ceremony, Ms. Bolivar began.
"Doctor Ramirez, recently you wrote an article for the Royal Woods Chronicle describing the negative effects of overscheduling children. Could you explain to the defendants how a child's overall health can suffer if they had to follow a schedule that looks like this?" Ms. Bolivar stated before addressing the bailiff.
"Bailiff could you show Exhibit A?" she requested
After the bailiff turned on the projector, a slide of last month's page from Lincoln's calendar appeared on the screen which startled the eleven year old a little. Aunt Shirley and Uncle Ethan looked at each other with utter disbelief.
As Dr. Ramirez examined the slide, a deep frown appeared on her face before speaking.
"A schedule like that is definitely cause for concern. When children are overscheduled it can lead to exhaustion, irritability, insomnia, falling grades or the kids desire to quit participating in these activities. It's a miracle this boy hadn't collapsed from exhaustion," Dr. Ramirez explained.
Rita placed her right palm over her mouth in shock while her husband sat stone faced. Lori was stunned, she had no idea how she and her siblings were actually overexerting themselves.
"Thank you Doctor Ramirez," Ms. Bolivar said.
"Mr. Shapiro call your next witness," Judge Callahan stated
"Will Clyde McBride approach the stand," he asked, suddenly Clyde's hands became a little sweaty.
Lincoln's heart skipped a beat while the sisters looked astounded while Clyde walked towards the stand.
"State your name for the court," the bailiff stated.
"Clyde Lorenzo McBride," he said boldly.
After being sworn in, Clyde removed his hand from the bible and sat down.
"How long have you been Lincoln's best friend, Mr. McBride?" Mr. Shapiro asked.
Clyde cleared his throat before speaking, "We first met each other six years ago on Halloween night when we accidentally bumped into each other. We have been best friends ever since."
"I assume both of you hang out on the weekends and sometimes after school at each other's houses," Mr. Shapiro asked.
"That's true, sometimes we go to the arcade after school or the weekends," Clyde affirmed.
"Do you get along with Lincoln sisters?' was the next question.
"Yes, they treat me like a second brother," Clyde stated emphatically.
"Have you seen any of them bullying Lincoln or each other when you visit him," Mr. Shapiro asked next.
"No, but sometimes Lincoln tells me about his sisters arguing over silly matters," Clyde stated.
"What about Mr. and Mrs. Loud, do you see them often when you visit?" Mr. Shapiro continued.
"Not really, they're either still at work or sometimes when I visit Lincoln on a Saturday they're out grocery shopping or doing something else," Clyde said.
"Okay Mr. McBride, that's all," the defense attorney concluded.
As Clyde returned to his seat, an unknown man around his mid-thirties walked inside the courtroom with their neighbor Mrs. Francis.
Authors Note: Luan's collection of Lincoln's embarrassing moments from Making the Case and Lori's security system for her bedroom as seen in Frog Wild were mentioned in the last chapter.