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Reeling in the Years	By : Flagg1991 Category: +G through L > The Loud House Views: 5080 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Loud House or its characters and I am not profiting from this story in any way.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Lyrics to To Know Him Is To Love Him by The Teddy Bears (1958)
Three days later, Bobby dressed in his new threads: A brown pair of loafers, a brown pair of slacks, a plaid button-up shirt, and a white cardigan sweater with a red number 1 stitched over the left breast. Looking at himself in the bathroom mirror, he sighed and shook his head: He looked like the mayor of Squaresville.
His mother and Ronnie Anne were in the kitchen, Mom making eggs and bacon and Ronnie Anne at the table, paging through an issue of Teen magazine with Elvis on the cover in an army uniform. When he entered, she looked up, and her jaw dropped. Then she hid her mouth behind her hand and snickered. "Can it," he said and dropped into an empty chair.
"You look like someone's grandfather!"
She laughed until tears streamed down her face. Bobby simply stewed, feeling like the epitome of stupid. His mother turned, and started. "Oh, Roberto, you look so handsome!"
He nodded. "Thanks, Ma."
"It's so much better than that leather jacket. You looked like a hoodlum."
"Now he looks like a loser!"
Bobby looked around for something to throw at his sister, but the only things within reach were plates and glasses, and that might be a little much. Instead he crossed his arms and looked away. "Why are you dressed like that?" Ronnie Anne asked.
"It was time for a change," he said.
"And a nice change it is," Mom said, slipping an egg onto his plate, then bacon. She pinched his cheek, and he could do nothing but let it happen. He ate as quickly as he could, the feeling of Ronnie Anne's mocking gaze on him making him uncomfortable. He was just finishing up when a knock came at the door. Great. His asshole friends were here.
Sighing, already knowing he was going to get it now, he got up. "Call your buddy Lincoln over," he said. "I need to talk to him."
Ronnie Anne cocked her brow. "Lincoln?"
"Yeah, that's what I said."
She shook her head and squinted her eyes. "What do you want with Lincoln?"
"Are you writing a book? He's my friend now and I want him to come over. Is that okay?"
"Whatever."
At the door, Bobby steeled himself and turned the knob. Daggy, Blades, and Poppa were clustered on the front porch. When they saw him, their eyes went wide.
"I already heard it from my sister," he said, coming out and shutting the door behind him. "I don't need it from you assholes too."
Daggy put up his hand as if in a solemn oath. "Hey...I like your sweater." He started laughing, and so did everyone else. Bobby rolled his eyes.
"Hey, guys," Poppa said. "What's Bobby's favorite shape? Square!"
Everyone laughed even harder. Flashing, Bobby grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him close: Poppa's face fell and fear filled his eyes. "I'll kick your fat ass the same in a cardigan as I would a leather jacket...now cut the gas or you're done."
Poppa nodded, and Bobby shoved him away. "Really, though," Blades asked, "what's with the get-up?"
Bobby sighed. "Lori Loud likes her guys square as a cracker, so here I am."
Blades laughed. "Wow, for a girl?"
"You laugh now," Bobby said, "but wait 'til I got my arm around her. You're all gonna eat your words and wish you were me."
Without a word, Bobby went down the stairs and around the side of the house. His was the last on the street, and a wide field separated it from the next street over. A detached garage sat just back from the structure. Lighting a cigarette, he took out a set of keys, and unlocked the big double doors as Blades, Daggy, and Poppa came up behind him. "I'm havin' her little brother come over," Bobby said around his cigarette as he stripped the chain and padlock off and tossed them aside. "I might need your help."
"You're really serious about this, aren't you?" Blades asked.
"I wouldn't be dressed like a goddamn clown if I wasn't." He pulled the doors open and went in. The Coupe faced out, the windows rolled up. He opened the door, sat behind the wheel, and started the ignition, turning the radio on: "...yours truly, Alan Freed, get'cha dancing shoes on and welcome to the rock and roll dance party!" Bobby twisted in his seat, reached into the back, and pulled a bottle of Jack Danial's out from underneath. He unscrewed the cap and took a deep swig. Blades stood by the open door and slipped his hands into his back pockets, Daggy crossed his arms, and Poppa leaned across the hood. "Hey!" Bobby yelled, "off the paint!"
Poppa took a step back and raised his hands.
"You guys just watch," Bobby said and took another drink. Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers came on with Why Do Fools Fall in Love? "Just watch." He took another drink and handed the bottle to Blades, who drank. Bobby wasn't into being mushy-gushy, but he really liked Lori. He liked everything about her: Her eyes, her smile, her personality. He made it sound like he was looking to score with her, but he wasn't, not really. He just wanted to hold her hand and be with her.
Blades grimaced and handed the bottle to Daggy. "So what're you gonna do? What's this plan?"
"You'll see," Bobby said and stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray. He drummed his fingers against the wheel to Little Girl of Mine by The Cleftones. Fitting, he thought, because he'd give anything to have Lori be his little girl.
Daggy handed the bottle to Poppa, who took one nip and then handed it back. Daggy brought it over and handed it to Bobby. He took a deep pull, then gave it back to Blades.
Fifteen minutes later, Bobby was starting to feel a little fuzzy around the edges. Lincoln pedaled into the driveway and stopped, looking around. Bobby beeped the horn, and Lincoln turned, waving. Bobby lifted a hand in return. Lincoln hopped off his bike and walked it over, leaning it against the side of the garage and walking in.
"There's my little buddy," Bobby said, slurring a little, "c'mere."
Lincoln came over and Bobby put his hand on his shoulder. "You want a smoke, Linc the pink?"
"Yeah, sure," Lincoln said. He tried to speak as casually as possible, but a nervous tic revealed just how badly he wanted a cigarette. He hadn't had one in three days, and he was feeling it. It had been a torturous seventy-two hours, and he regretted starting in the first place.
Bobby grinned. "Alright, alright. Hey, remember what I said the other day about friends helping friends out?"
Lincoln nodded. "Yeah."
Bobby leaned over, opened the dash, and took out a pack of cigarettes. Holding it up (and noting the way Lincoln licked his lips), he said, "You help me, and I'll help you with this. A whole pack of Camels...unopened and unfiltered for your pleasure."
"What do I have to do?" Lincoln asked quickly.
"Follow me," Bobby said, getting out of the car.
Behind the garage, Bobby picked up a chunk of concrete just big enough to fill his hand. Daggy, Blades, and Poppa stood around, looking nervous. Lincoln gulped. "You're gonna have a bike accident, dig? And I'm going to bring you home to Lori and look like a hero."
Lincoln's lips worked but no sound came out; his heart was starting to race. "W-What?" he finally managed.
"It's just gonna be your knee," Bobby said, "and it's just gonna be a scratch."
Lincoln looked around. Bobby's friends looked just as horrified as he felt. "Come on," Bobby said, "please? I'm beggin' you here."
Lincoln took a deep breath. He wanted to be cool and help Bobby...he also wanted that pack of Camels. "F-Fine," he said.
Bobby smiled. "Alright, sit."
Already wondering if he'd made the right decision, Lincoln sat on the ground and splayed his legs in front of him. Bobby knelt and held the concrete just over his right knee. "I'm gonna have to rip your pants, little man," Bobby said, "sorry."
Lincoln closed his eyes and thought of those beautiful, delicious cigarettes. It's all worth it in the end, all worth it in the end, all worth it in the end...
Nothing happened.
He opened one eye. Bobby knelt beside him, the concrete chunk hovering above his knee. Bobby's arms shook. He dropped it on the ground and sat heavily on his butt. "Man, I can't do this," he said and covered his face with his hands. He drew a heavy sigh. "I just...I really like your sister and I want her to like me too. That's all." When he took his hands away, Lincoln was surprised (and a little saddened) to see tears standing in his eyes. He wiped them away and looked at his friends, who, for the first time since Lincoln had known them (which admittedly wasn't long) looked serious. "If you guys wanna laugh, fuckin' laugh."
"Nah, man," Blades said, shaking his head, "I get it."
"I been there too," Daggy admitted.
Bobby looked at Lincoln. "Nevermind, man, just...go hang with Ronnie or somethin'. She really likes you." He bowed his head and shooed him away with one hand.
Really? Lincoln started to grin and push himself up, but the misery in Bobby's eyes stopped him. He knew all too well what it was like to pine for a girl...just eight months ago he was in Bobby's place exactly. It was not fun.
Lori said he could be nice to a fault. When Lincoln heard himself speaking, he finally understood what she meant: "Do it."
Bobby looked up at him. "What?"
Lincoln sighed. I can't believe I'm doing this. "I know how you feel, okay? I was there with Ronnie Anne. I-It was lame." Admitting to Bobby that he liked his sister was hard, but he pressed on. "And you have the right idea. If Lori sees you helping me out, she'll like that...so do it."
"Nah, I can't..."
"Go on," Lincoln said and stuck his leg out. "I want you to."
Bobby looked to his friends as if for moral support. Blades's arms were crossed over his chest and Daggy's hands were in his pockets. Poppa's were limp at his sides. Blades shrugged. "Kid's sayin' do it."
"Yeah, I mean...do it," Daggy said.
Poppa paled when Bobby looked at him. Lincoln got the impression that he didn't expect his opinion to be asked. "Uh...yeah, whack him."
Bobby looked back at Lincoln and sighed. "You sure?"
Lincoln nodded. "Yeah."
"Alright," Bobby said. He got back onto his knees, picked up the concrete, and held it over Lincoln's knee. Lincoln squeezed his eyes closed. When this is done you're going to have a whole pack of Camels...a whole pack...a whole pack...a wh-
The concrete came down hard, then Bobby rubbed it up and down like steel wool. Lincoln's pants and skin ripped, and he clenched his teeth against a cry of pain.
Just as quickly as it had started, it was over. "Blades, that look good?"
"Yeah, man, it's fine," Blades said uncomfortably.
Bobby tossed the concrete aside. "You alright?" he asked worriedly.
Lincoln nodded. "Yeah," he said, "I'm okay. Can I have my cigarettes now, please? And some matches?"
For a moment, Bobby just looked at him...then broke out laughing, his head bowing and his shoulders shaking. Blades grinned and covered his mouth with one hand. "Kid really wants his smokes."
"After that," Bobby said, "he earned 'em." He took the Camels out of his pocket, then a book of matches. He sat both on Lincoln's good leg, then squeezed his shoulder. "Thanks," he said seriously. "I appreciate it."
Lincoln nodded. "Friends help each other out, right?"
Bobby smiled. "Yes...they do." He patted Lincoln's shoulder and got up. "Give me a couple minutes then I'll take you home." He glanced at the others. "You guys...get lost or somethin'."
They followed Bobby around the corner, and Lincoln was alone.
He sighed.
His knee hurt and his pants were ripped...but he had a whole pack of Camels! Smiling to himself, he ripped the cellophane off and then stripped the foil away, the smell of tobacco wafting into his nose and making his mouth water. Oh, boy, this was gonna be good.
He pulled one out, put it into his mouth, and struck a match, touching the flame to the tip and sucking. Smooth, warm smoke filled his lungs, and he sighed contentedly. He drew his wounded leg up and leaned against the garage. He was so lost in his cigarette that he didn't notice Ronnie Anne coming around the corner. She saw him and gaped. He looked up.
"Okay," she said, crossing her arms, "two things...no, three things...one...what happened to your leg?"
Lincoln shrugged. "I fell down."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Two...I didn't know you smoked."
He held the cigarette between his fingers and studied it for a minute. "Yeah, I guess I just started."
She nodded. "Three...can I have some?"
He arched his brow. "Some...cigarette?"
She nodded, a sly grin crossing her face. "Sure," Lincoln said. She sat, and he handed her the smoke. She took a deep drag and held it for a moment before blowing it out like a pro. "I didn't know you smoked either."
She shrugged. "I've been swiping Bobby's for years," she said. "This is the same brand. Did he give these to you?"
"No," Lincoln lied.
She took another puff and handed it back to him. On the phone, she told him that Bobby wanted to see him...but that wasn't entirely the truth. She wanted to see him too: Ever since his birthday party, when she thought of him as her boyfriend, she'd been thinking. She really, really liked him...but she didn't know if she was ready to take the next step. Then, last night, she was lying on her bed and listening to her transistor radio – the one he gave her – when a song she'd never heard before came on, and the lyrics made her think of him:
To know, know, know him is to love, love, love him
Just to see him smile, makes my life worthwhile
To know, know, know him is to love, love, love him
And I do.
I do, she thought with a dreamy smile, and in that moment, she knew.
Now, she took a deep breath. Her heart was beginning to race and she could feel her cheeks starting to flush. "You know...I was thinking..."
He took a drag, held it, then blew it out. "About what?"
"About us," she said.
His heart thudded and he took another puff, this one longer, just to have something to do. He handed the cigarette to her, and she held it between her fingers. "I really like you, Lincoln," she said, "and..." she chickened out and took a drag instead. She blew it out and steeled her resolve. "I wanna be your girlfriend."
Lincoln whipped his head around, his heart stopping. Did...did she really just say what he thought she said? She was looking straight ahead, almost as if she was embarrassed to meet his gaze. Then she turned, and their eyes locked.
For a moment, neither spoke, neither blinked, and neither breathed, but something happened...something passed between them, a thought, maybe, or a feeling, and then they leaned into one another, the tips of their noses brushing and their lips meeting, their tongues touching gently...then more urgently as the kiss deepened. Holding the cigarette between her fore-and-middle fingers, she rested her palm on his shoulder as he pushed softly into her, his hand flying to her face. Their tongues moved over and under one another, lapping hungrily, exploring and tasting.
She pulled back and smiled at him. His eyes were shining and the corners of his lips were turned up in a grin. He stroked her cheek and her heart raced. She brought the cigarette to her lips and took a drag. She then flipped it and, pinching it between her thumb and index finger, held it out for Lincoln to take a puff.
"That was nice," she said, and put the cigarette into her mouth. "I...I really like you, Lincoln."
"I like you too."
She took his hand and threaded her fingers through his. He squeezed and they smiled at each other.
"Hey, what's this?" Bobby asked, startling both of them. They turned, and he plucked the cigarette from between her lips. "You shouldn't be smoking," he said. He started to throw it away, but instead took two quick drags. "Come on, Linc, we're goin'."
"No quiero que se vaya," Ronnie Anne said, her eyes big and dreamy. She squeezed Lincoln's hand, and he squeezed back. He didn't know what she said, but it was beautiful.
"Verás a tu novio más tarde. Le gustas y no va a ninguna parte," Bobby replied.
"Sólo le di mi corazón." She stroked Lincoln's face, and he grinned.
"Y tú tienes su corazón. Ahora voy a capturar el corazón de Lori si usted le permite venir."
Ronnie Anne's brow furrowed and she turned to her brother. "Come on," Bobby said, "let go of his hand. I need him."
Shaking her head, she turned back to Lincoln. "Alright, square-for-brains," she said, "you gotta go."
Lincoln sighed. He didn't want to go. He wanted to stay here and hold Ronnie Anne's hand forever...wanted to lose himself in her eyes and never come out. Instead, he got to his feet, his knee aching. Putting on a brave face for Ronnie Anne, he followed Bobby around the garage and started for the Coupe, but the older boy stopped him. "Nah, we're takin' my Mom's station wagon." He threw the cigarette away. "I can't pull up to Lori in that thing."
Well...Bobby was taking his advice at least.
Lincoln climbed into the passenger seat while Bobby slid behind the wheel and started it. Throwing his hand around the passenger head rest, he glanced through the back window and pulled into the street. After they were underway, he said: "You and Ronnie are goin' steady now." It wasn't a question.
"Yeah," Lincoln said, and smiled. "We are."
"You know what she said back there?" Bobby asked.
Lincoln shook his head. "I have no clue."
"She said she just gave you her heart."
Wow. She actually said that?
"I wasn't bullshittin' when I said she really likes you. She does. You be good to her, alright?" He glanced at Lincoln.
"I will," Lincoln vowed.
"And I'll be good to yours," he winked. "She's gonna be there, right?"
Lincoln nodded. "Probably. Either talking on the phone or watching TV. She loves looking at that screen. She'd carry it around with her if she could."
A block from Lincoln's house, Bobby pulled to the curb and cut the engine. "Alright, little man," he said, throwing the door open, "it's on foot from here – for me, at least."
Lincoln scrunched his brow quizzically and got out of the car. Bobby came around and stood in front of him. "Okay...get in my arms."
"W-What?"
Instead of replying, Bobby scooped Lincoln up and held him the way a groom would hold his bride as he carried her across the threshold. Lincoln tensed, not really liking being picked up by another man. "I'm not crazy about it either," Bobby said as he started down the sidewalk, "just bear with me."
As they approached his house, Lincoln saw that Mom's station wagon wasn't in the driveway. He hoped Lori was here, or this was all for nothing. Well...not nothing, he thought as he patted the pack of Camels in his pocket.
At the door, Bobby rolled his neck and took a deep breath. "Act like you're really hurt," he said. "Tears, callin' for mommy, you know, the works."
Lincoln sighed and whipped up a batch of tears, thinking about how sad it would be if this didn't work and Bobby took his cigarettes back: In a moment tears were streaming down his face and he gave out a wounded, broken, "Mommy."
"There you go," Bobby said, and kicked the door. "Keep it up."
Nothing happened, and Bobby kicked the door again. After a moment, the knob turned and it opened, revealing – exactly as planned – Lori dressed in a pale blue dress with a wide white headband pushed back from her forehead. Lincoln felt Bobby tense. When her eyes fell on Lincoln, they went wide. "Lincoln? What happened?" Her voice was full of concern, and for the first time Lincoln felt kind of guilty.
"I found him like this," Bobby said, "I, uh, I was on my way to Bible study and he was lyin' on the side of the road. Said someone hit him with their car and took off."
"Oh my God!"
She stepped aside and Bobby carried Lincoln in. "I-I'm okay," Lincoln hitched. It was all worth it in the end.
Luan was sitting on the couch with her arms crossed. She turned, and her face darkened with worry. "What happened?" she asked, sitting forward.
"Don't worry, kid," Bobby said, "he's fine." Luan got up and Bobby laid Lincoln on the couch. Lori rushed over and knelt, rolling up his pantleg and wincing at the ugly scratch on his knee. "I saw him there and my heart broke into a million pieces and all that jive. I picked him up and brought him here."
While Lori and Luan rushed off to get first aid supplies, Bobby sat on the couch and looked at Lincoln. "When I'm gone, talk me up, huh? Say what a great guy I am and how I saved you."
"Sure thing," Lincoln said.
When Bobby heard Lori coming back, he slipped off the couch and on his knees, laying a hand on Lincoln's forehead. "You're gonna be just fine, buddy," he said loud enough for Lori to hear, "I'm prayin' for you."
He moved aside to allow Lori to work on her brother's knee, a hazy look coming into his eyes as he watched. She was so kind and tender and all that gas. Sigh. He was in love. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his cardigan and drew a deep breath. An angel, that's what she was, an angel.
When she was done, she got to her feet and looked at Bobby. "Who did this to him?"
"Uh...someone in a black car. Or maybe it was green. Or blue."
"I don't really know," Lincoln said, then: "All I saw was chrome and metal and pain." He grinned behind his hand.
"Thank you for bringing him home," Lori said, "I really appreciate it."
Bobby waved his hand. "No problem. I have a kid sister myself, so, I dunno, I guess my paternal instincts kicked in. Who could hurt a kid like that, huh? It's horrible."
"Bobby's a hero," Lincoln said, "and good looking." Bobby saw Lincoln's smirk and wanted to slap it off his freckled face. Instead, he smiled nervously. "I was just doin' what anyone would, right?"
"Thank you," Lori said and smiled, "It was very nice of you."
She walked him to the door. "I'll be back to check on you tomorrow, alright, buddy?"
Lincoln held up his thumb.
On the porch, Bobby put his hands on his hips while Lori stood in the doorway, one of her hands resting on the frame. "He's a good guy," he said, because he had to say something lest the moment end. "Nice kid."
"He's great," Lori said, then something occurred to her. "Where's his bike? Did it get ruined?"
"No, no," Bobby said and waved his hand, "I had a friend of mine take it to my house. It, uh, it suffered a little damage but I'm gonna fix it up good as new. You won't even be able to tell the difference."
"Oh, you don't have to do that," Lori said, and was it just Bobby or did she sound kind of impressed at how great he was?
"I want to," Bobby replied, "I mean, he told me it was new and he got it for his birthday and it's special, so it's the least I can do."
She smiled beatifically. "You're very sweet, thank you."
Bobby blushed and ducked his head. "Just doin' what's right."
"Thank you again," she said and started to close the door, but stopped and regarded him with inscrutable eyes, making his chest pound. "What happened to your...uh...jacket?"
"Pfft, that old thing? I gave it to charity. It's not really me anymore."
"You look much better without it," she said, and when he was alone on the porch, Bobby pumped his fist. Fuck yeah!
- 6
- 7
- 8
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Reeling in the Years