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Author's Note: Please read and review. I'd really appreciate it.
"Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment."
― Rita Mae Brown, Alma Mater
Chapter Two – Wishing for the best, preparing for the worst
With the news of Ian's attempt to enlist under Lip'a name everyone worked quickly to figure out how they would move to a new city and keep their home. They couldn't afford to stay in Hillwood, miss the rent payments and come back to find a new place. There was no way they could afford it.
The squirrel fund was tucked away. Debbie had offered to help by withdrawing some money from her bank account. They hoped that would only need to only stay for a short time—a few months if necessary. Debbie and Ian's school was going to have work with them about their schoolwork. Ian offered going by a Barnes and Noble and filching a computer from an unsuspecting Starbucks customer. Fiona let out an angry hiss and sigh telling Lip that he shouldn't jeopardize his chance to go to the University of Chicago.
With the money she received from the stranger in the SUV she'd be able to buy a laptop from Best Buy. From time to time they offered closeout deals on computers. Fiona hoped she could buy a computer for about two to three hundred dollars. With their plan in place the laptop would allow Debbie and Carl to do their homework and submit online. As for classes like Art it could always be made up during summer school.
The laptop would also afford Fiona the ability to look for work, submit resumes, and try to find an apartment. It seemed that like Canaryville in the South Side it was an inner city borough which meant that they might be able to find a good deal on an apartment. A one room apartment or a studio might be a cramp fit but it was nothing new to them growing up. Debbie, Carl and Liam would take the bed and Fiona and Lip would take the floor. Course if able they'd take the crib. They would have to stuff clothes into the couple suitcases and one duffel bag they had had. The rest of their things would have to be put into the large garbage bags.
By the week's end they had found several possibilities regarding their housing; however, once again they'd need Frank to sign the papers. The Gallagher children did not want to stir the hornet's nest that was Monica Gallagher. Knowing her she'd demand that she'd take Liam and possibly Carl and Debbie off their hands for special mother bonding. Worse still, she'd have them take her with them with the chaos and pain that would follow.
That left Frank Gallagher who had been slumming under the bridge, sleeping in the subway terminals, at the shelter, in the park and anywhere he could. With another notice to their neighbors, and patrons at Kev's bar they found Frank soon enough. With a threat to break Frank's hand, Lip managed to have him sign the necessary paperwork.
Monica's car still sat in their front yard. Because of the car accident she was made to pay for the accident which at least was minor enough where the car did not have to be impounded. Fiona looked online for the cheapest insurance and knew she'd have to contact Monica. Fiona went to the house of Monica's girlfriend and told Monica that some partial truth that if she sold the car for a small, insignificant amount of money she could turn the title to Fiona. When all was said and done Fiona would sell the car back for the same amount.
With everything settled they headed to Hillwood. The apartments required an extensive credit check, a deposit that they could really afford, and that did not want to rent to so many Gallaghers in a small cramped space. Fiona knew that it was because of the damn credit cards Frank had opened in their name. He was an asshole. Not only that, he was an asshole who had ruined their near future in getting a car, a new place, and anything that required good credit.
The last stop was a boarding house. Fiona had liked the idea of having a rent that covered laundry, and home cooked meals. The rent was a bit more than she would have liked but the perks were great enough that she'd pay the extra expense. She had faxed their application and hoped it was enough time. Fiona knocked on the door when she was greeted with what the Gallaghers could only assume as a crazy, old woman.
"Mary, Queen of Scots!" She exclaimed to Fiona, "It seems that somehow you escaped your beheading. I knew you had faked your death! You wily, cunning woman you!"
Lip stared with a disbelieving face. "Great we choose the place with the crazy old woman."
"Hey shut up," Fiona said angrily, "at least they offer the amendities that we don't have to pay for and food that doesn't come out of cans. I can seriously do without canned vegetables."
They all entered the establishment and were lead to the living room. With the faded wallpaper, the well-worn couches, it was something that made Fiona feel at ease. At least it was something they were all used to even if they were in much better condition. Phil entered the living room and told them to not mind his Pookie as she simply had her own sense of humor.
"So what I can do for you?" Phil asked.
"We need a room" Fiona responded.
"Well we do have one room," he looked at the five Gallaghers, "but you're all going to be boarding in the one room?"
"It's all that we can afford," Fiona told Phil, "It's also nothing new to us."
"The first thing is the credit check we're still waiting for," Phil noticed the older girl's face grow weary and despondent, "but don't necessarily judge on that but we want to make sure you can be timely with your rent."
"We can pay," Fiona urged, "I've been running the household since I was fifteen and I've never been late with rent."
She did not want to talk about the utilities because she knew that if Phil knew about the problems of not being able to meet bills would look bad. She'd do a lie of omission. Fiona didn't lie about the rent money but she'd be damned if she'd shoot herself in the foot.
"What about the deposit?" Lip asked in a voice that was becoming impatient.
"We ask for the first month's rent," Phil answered.
"Which is?" Lip asked.
"It's 450 a month," Phil replied.
"We'll take it," Debbie exclaimed, "We'll so take—"
"Well, look here," Phil interjected, "I didn't say yes to your application."
Gertie shouted for Arnold "Oh give them the okay already. I like Mary. She seems like a good woman."
"Er," Phil frowned then sighed, "As you can see I can't say no to my Pookie. Oh, and she's Gertie to you guys."
That afternoon was spent setting up their room. The bed was large enough to give Debbie and Carl enough room to sleep without fighting for space. The space nearest the bed would be where Liam's crib would be and Fiona would sleep next to the crib. It was going to be a tight fit but she'd manage. The five drawer chest would allow each Gallagher to have their own drawer and any remaining clothes could stay in the luggage, and duffel bag. They had even found blankets in the closet that would be used as a mattress and cover.
Fiona walked out into the hallway taking note of how many rooms there were. She wondered who they were, and whose room she was occupying. There was two places for laundry. One on second floor where the cleaning supplies were housed and one in the basement. There was one bathroom but they'd have to make do. They would have to learn when the others would take their turns and make sure to work around that. Debbie and Carl would have the easiest time because they'd have a more consistent schedule.
Whereas Fiona and Lip would have to when they had the chance. She walked down to the kitchen and smelled with dinner cooking on the stove cooking. It smelled good and it had been a long time since they'd have anything home-cooked that didn't involve freezer burn, microwaves and cans.
"It smells delicious," Fiona said smiling.
"Why thank you dear," Gertie smiled, "we serve dinner at six p.m. but if you can't make don't fret we can always leave a plate for you in the fridge."
Fiona smiled feeling the tears in her eyes. It was a long time that she could rely on someone else the way she could rely on Gertie. She was always going to be grateful to have neighbors like V and Kev but there was something about Gertie that made her wish she was Fiona's grandmother. Considering her grandmother was such a mean-spirited woman Fiona guessed anyone would have been better.
"Grandma," a young man entered the kitchen, "What's cooking?"
"Tacos, and enchiladas with a side of rice and beans," Gertie responded, "and we're going to celebrate cinco de Mayo!"
Fiona thought to herself "but it's still January." However it seemed that this was a common occurrence and felt she had no right to judge. It seemed Gertie's grandson finally took notice. He smiled and offered his hand introducing himself as Arnold.
"Yeah," Fiona nodded, "I'm the new tenant. I just came today."
"How long do you plan on staying," Arnold asked.
"Not sure to be honest," Fiona responded, "I had some business to take care of here and it depends on long it takes."
Arnold didn't pry and Fiona was grateful. She returned to their room and told the others about dinner, where the laundry room was and how there was only one bathroom. They'd have to make do but at least they didn't have to spend money on food or laundry. That was going to allow them to save money by not having to spend so much at the laundromat.
At six p.m. the Gallaghers gathered at the kitchen. Arnold looked up in surprise. He hadn't expected to find five of them much less them boarding in one room. Fiona explained that they couldn't afford more than one bedroom and a boarding house was the best choice in the long run. She also told Arnold that they were very much used to having to make do in extenuating circumstances.
With their bellies full, Carl and Debbie did their homework and submitted it online. The two were very happy when Arnold offer to help them with their homework. Fiona smiled at the kid and was surprised at what a good kid he was despite the fact that he had not seen his parents since he was a kid. She figured that having such great grandparents helped.
Fiona sat the dinner table drinking a cup of tea when Arnold's grandparents settled at the dinner table. The three discussed her immediate future with her asking if they knew of any places that were hiring. She stressed that she'd take anything she could get. She told them about the eight jobs she had worked, and the kind of jobs she had worked. They were impressed at her work ethic and dedication in helping raise her brothers and sister.
Phil sat there pensively thinking. He looked over beyond Fiona and looked at the place around them. He noticed that the boarding house was becoming more and more run down. They were getting older and it was becoming more and more difficult doing maintenance and housecleaning much less repairs. He told Fiona about their plan.
Fiona smiled feeling once again tears at their kindness and compassion. She couldn't understand how they could survive with such kindness without being abused of their kindness. They had essentially allowed a rent reduction if she could help with housecleaning and helping around the house. Fiona had told them that Lip was basically Tony Stark genius and could definitely help with the repairs. In the end they reduced the rent by a hundred dollars. With three hundred and fifty dollars a month, it would make life much more doable. At least their squirrel fun could help keep their home, afford the room at Sunset Arms, and save up for the future.
She'd still have to find part-time work but having the burden lessened a bit it allowed her to relax more than she had ever felt in her life. Fiona couldn't remember the last time she'd ever felt this relaxed even before Monica abandoned them she could never fully relax always fearing what her parents would pull next. Fiona walked up the stairs and told her brothers and sister about the situation.
"Fuck," Lip said disbelievingly, "people like them actually exist?"
"Apparently," Fiona confirmed, "and it's a wonder how they've been able to stay so positive and not used the hell out of their money."
Debbie had fallen asleep with a huge grin on her face. She was quickly become attached to Gertie. She always became attached quickly. Fiona feared the time they'd have to eventually depart and head back home. Debbie would be devastated. She doubt Carl would miss his school too much given the bullshit they seemed so content to throw at them.
"You know that we can't stay here long term," Lip said breaking the silence knowing what Fiona was thinking.
"I know but Debbie and Carl are so happy here," Fiona said tiredly, "I hate how Debbie is going to react when we have to leave."
"Yeah but our life is there," Lip replied, "besides our life is bound to catch up with us and I don't really want these guys to get in the crossfire."
"I know," Fiona said exasperatedly, "I'd hate to think what would happen if Frank knew about us living much less finding out where we lived."
"Don't forget that we Ian facing some really fucked up consequences," Lip said in an angry whisper, "It's probably going to fuck all of us in the long run. At least we have the house already set and if Phil and Gertie learn about it they might not want to keep us here."
"Well let's get some sleep," Fiona smiled, "we have a busy day tomorrow. I can do the shit in the morning and you can head to the base and find out what's going on."
The next morning they all had their fill of breakfast that included coffee, tea, pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon. They couldn't figure out how they were able to afford all of this food but they wouldn't reject gift horse in the mouth. Fiona quickly cleaned the house, did some light maintenance while Lip had said they'd fix the water heater, and the old Packard in the afternoon.
Debbie and Carl had been much happier at the fact that they were basically given the ability to find work such as babysitting given that they were basically in a homeschool situation. With some recommendations Debbie was able to find some babysitting jobs that had great pay and sometimes allowed her full day jobs a couple times a week. While the parents had worried about how legal it was Debbie simply assured them that if they didn't say anything she would gladly not say anything.
Arnold seemed concerned that Debbie and Carl weren't able to basically play as children. He talked about Gerald's field where he and his friends around the neighborhood would play baseball. Fiona smile tightened as she always hated when people looked down at their Gallagher family. She didn't want to disclose too much information about their family nor did she want Arnold calling the CPS about the situation.
"Listen Arnold," Fiona faked a smile, "you're a good kid with a heart of gold. You don't find that often now days but…"
"They deserve to have a childhood, to be kids, to not have to worry about bills and…"
Fiona raised her hand shushing Arnold. "Look I get it and I totally agree but we've never been a situation where that was possible. I'm not going to get into my family history but none of us, myself included, have ever had that privilege. You know what… that is a privilege. So don't come here with your sanctimonious speech as if you know what we've been through. Believe me when I say this: we've been through enough bullshit that we don't have that privilege."
Arnold frowned and looked away. "Sorry I was concerned about Debbie, Carl and Liam."
"I thank you for that, I really do," Fiona could feel tears forming again, "but trust me you have no idea what it's like."
"Hey, I grew up without my parents, and not knowing if they're still alive," Arnold frowned.
Fiona let out a choked laugh. "Are you kidding? I wish I didn't have parents."
"How could you even say that?" Arnold frowned, getting angry at the fact that someone would want to be in his situation.
"Because my dad is a complete asshole and my mom is even worse," Fiona growled out, "and don't even get me started on my relative. I hate assholes like you who mope about not having parents and totally not realizing how damn lucky you are!"
"I am not lucky," Arnold said in complete utter dismay, "I am thankful for my grandparents but when they die, I'm completely and utterly alone and that scares me."
"I'm sorry," Fiona said after a long pregnant pause, "I shouldn't have said that."
The two sat there quietly drinking their tea and eating some biscuits. Fiona was quickly falling in love the assortment of teas. It gave her a time of respite from the turbulent times that they would all soon be facing. She sat there pensively the spoke in a quiet voice.
"Your grandma is awesome even if calls me Mary," Fiona said as looked down at her tea.
"I know," Arnold said as quietly, "I've been lucky to have her in my life. I've had an interesting life to say the least."
He took another sip of his tea and looked out the kitchen window. The two had a silent agreement that he wouldn't pry too much and respect her distance and let her decide how much she'd disclose. Fiona could only look at the kitchen that she helped clean.
"So interesting life?" Fiona asked.
Arnold smiled and nodded. "She mixes up holidays, which I once didn't like, but I've grown to love immensely. She likes to call people by famous people names. She has the weirdest birthday wishes like walking through a tub of cooked noodles which turned into a noodle fight."
Fiona let out a real laugh. "That sounds amazing. I wish I had a grandmother like that."
"Your grandmother isn't like that?" Arnold asked slowly.
"No," Fiona said, playing with the mug in her hand, letting out a long sigh, "my maternal grandmother wants nothing to do with us and I've talked to her maybe a handful of times. My paternal grandmother… she was a real piece of work. I was glad when she died. She wasn't a good person at all."
"Wishing someone dead is pretty grave," Arnold quickly went quiet when he saw Fiona's look of quit-the-preaching, "sorry."
"No, no you're right," Fiona relented and decided to let out a small detail, "she was in jail for a long time because she was cooking meth and an explosion resulted in killing one of her associates. Then she started up again trying to teach Carl which resulted in an explosion that burned off his eyebrows."
Arnold's eyes widened. When Fiona had revealed a little about her family she seemed so hesitant, worried and ashamed. Yet with what seemed like a trouble childhood and adulthood she had stayed so steadfastly by her family, her brothers and sisters. He took a long sip of his tea and finally spoke up. Fiona breathing hitched as if worried about what he'd say next.
"We're not going to judge you because of your family," Arnold explained to Fiona whose tense shoulders relaxed, "if anything you and your siblings are extraordinary at surviving the way you did, I've only known of one other person who could as well."
"Who?" Fiona prodded right back.
"Her name's Helga," Arnold said looking back out the kitchen, "She grew up with shitty parents but right now she's boarding at Hillwood Academy."
The conversation turned light as Arnold could see Fiona could do with some light conversation. It was becoming late and both had their own reasons for getting up early. Arnold had to get ready for school and Fiona had her job in the boarding house. Fiona had the first month paid but knew she was going to have to find a second job so that she could start saving for the Gallaghers' squirrel fund. She'd also have to see on the progress Lip made on finding Ian and getting him to come clean. Fiona could only hope Ian didn't mess his life up and have a second chance.