Shameless
Chapter 7
Frank Gallagher: Loving Husband, Devoted Father
I was actually working on homework, Rebecca sitting next to me. She pretty much nagged me into doing it. Already knowing that I needed to do it, I didn't put up much of a fight. Debbie was across from me, Veronica doing her hair. I was just finishing up the last of the math, which seemed a bit more like scribbles than answers at some point.
Debbie and V's surprise at me working had me roll my eyes, but Rebecca giggled at that, so it wasn't all bad. I sent Rebecca a grin. "There, all done."
Rebecca sent me a smile back. "Please, you know you'll thank me later." I looked outside and saw it was dark, I'd have to walk her home soon, it was getting late.
The door opened and I looked to see Fiona come in with bags in her arms. "Hey, Fi."
My sister sent me a smile in 'hello' and set the bags on the counter. She did a double take, looking at the table. "You? And homework?"
I huffed. "I do my homework, y'know?"
Fiona sent Rebecca a look with a grin. "You should hang around more often." Which brought another laugh from my girlfriend. I felt a smile spread across my face, girlfriend. I loved that world. Fiona raised a eyebrow, glancing at Rebecca and I stared at my sister for a moment. She shrugged.
Fiona said. "Got semolina, seven-grain and whole wheat."
V said. "You work at a bakery and all you stole was bread? Where are the crullers and turnovers."
Debbie said. "We want sugar."
Fiona started pulling stuff out. "Yeah? Too bad. Free toast for a week. Who wants a sandwich."
I perked up, finishing the last question. "Ha! Done. And me."
I glanced over at Rebecca, nudging her. She noticed my look and shook her head. "Nah, I actually have to get going."
I frowned. "Really?"
Steve came down. "I'll have mine with the crusts cut off."
Rebecca shrugged. "I have school tomorrow."
Fiona nodded. "So do you, Joe."
I rolled my eyes. "It's a half day."
Fiona sent me one of 'her' looks. "Joey, do we need to talk about this again?"
Debbie looked over with wide eyes. "Joey's in trouble."
I rolled my eyes again and harder. "Am not. I'm too old to get in trouble."
"You don't go to school and that won't be true."
I grabbed Rebecca's wrist and grabbed my bag with my other hand. "Come on, 'fore I get the riot act."
I heard V's teasing voice. "Have a good day at school."
I walked out the back door, sending her the middle finger. The last thing I heard before I shut the door was her loud laughter.
Rebecca asked after we went down the stairs. "Why do you hate school so much?"
I shrugged. "I hate having to sit for hours on end for a useless degree."
Rebecca sent me a disbelieving look. "What do you expect to do without a High School Diploma?"
I shrugged again, not looking at her. "I dunno. Get a job like Fi. Stay in the South Side."
There was a strange look on her face, but she brought up something else, pushing the already unimportant conversation in the back of my mind.
It was after school and Rebecca was doing a project, so I was walking with my brothers, Lip and Ian. Mandy was with us too. I held off on the grudge I had against her. There was no point of it. I usually hated grudges and barely had any, they were a waste of time.
Ian said. "Gotta love these half days."
I tugged my coat tighter on my body. The snow may have stopped falling, but it was still on the ground and cold.
Mandy said. "Good thing high school education is broke."
Lip said. "Only thing these people are equipped to teach is how to live with disappointment."
I nodded in agreement, ignoring Mandy and Ian goofing off in the corner of my eye. "Yeah, I was talkin' to Rebecca about that, this morning. Only reason we go is because of Fiona."
Lip gave me a nod back. "True." He smirked a bit. "Rebecca, huh?" His wiggled his eyebrows in my direction.
I snorted and shoved him, feeling my ears burn. "Shut up!" Lip snickered.
Mandy and Ian weren't paying attention to us. Obviously, her being Ian's beard meant she had nothing against gay people, but I didn't like people to know. Only Lip, Ian and Cory knew, and I didn't have a choice with two of them. Thinking of Cory made my eyebrow twitch, dealing with that holier-than-thou bastard got on my nerves, but being Rebecca's brother, I left it alone.
I heard Mandy ask. "Hey, wanna catch a movie later? Brandy can sneak us in."
As we walked, I watched Ian grin. "Uh, can't. Gotta be at work by 3."
I scoffed to myself, knowing who he was going to see. I couldn't get over that, not matter how hard I tried. A way older man fucking my little brother, even if Ian agreed to it. He was a closeted gay kid in the South Side, he probably didn't know where else. It took a lot of control not to deck Kash whenever I saw him or passed the 'Kash 'n Grab'.
Ian shoved my shoulder a bit.
Lip said. "Nice jacket Kash bought you."
Ian said shortly, knowing how both me and Lip felt about Kash. "Thanks."
Mandy looked impressed. "Yeah. Tell Kash I'll take it in the ass if it gets me free stuff."
I wanted to laugh as Lip did, but figured Mandy didn't have a problem with his relationship, probably screwing older men herself.
Someone shouted. "Hey!"
We turned and he looked at Lip. "Hey, yeah. I'm talking to you." It was a bulky older guy standing by a truck.
We stopped to look at him. Lip asked. "Yeah?" The big guy came over to us.
I raised an eyebrow at Lip. "Who'd you piss off now?"
Lip shrugged.
The guy asked. "You got a phone?"
Lip glanced at the truck. "What, your truck break down?"
The guy snapped. "No, genius, I like standing in a shitty neighborhood with my dick in my hands."
I laughed. "Dude, you want help, that's not the way to get it."
The big guy shot a glare at me and when we went to walk off, he said quickly. "Look, I'm already two hours late on this load. I try to take one short cut, this is what I get. My goddamn kid drained my phone playing 'Doodle Jump'. My goddamn wife took my charger. Look, I'll give you five bucks if you let me use your phone. Just one call."
I was amused. 5 bucks? And he just wasted his time giving a sob story when we don't have a phone. Hell, we all shared a pre-paid cell that had minutes.
Lip said. "Oh, we don't have a phone. Our Dad said not 'till we're eighteen."
I bit back a grin, knowing Lip was going to pull a scam.
Lip continued. "But, you know what? There's a bar about ten blocks that way. What is called? Uh, O'Flaherty's. Just tell them your from County Cork."
He stared in disbelief. "Ten blocks?!"
Ian shrugged. "Maybe five. Straight shot."
I nodded along. "Runnin' could get you there in about ten minutes."
The guy dug in his pocket. I stared as he held out five bucks to Lip. "This is yours if you keep an eye on the truck."
Lip made a mock surprised face. "Five bucks?"
Ian's look was sarcastically happy. "Oh, cool. Thanks, mister."
I did my best to look innocent. "That's mighty kind of you, sir."
The guy turned toward the direction we steered him to, which was bullshit anyway. He turned back to us. "Hey, Hey. Make sure no one get near it."
Lip nodded. "Will do."
I gave a salute. "Yes, sir."
He gave us a wary look (more aimed at me), before he walked off.
Lip tugged his glove off with his teeth and pulled out our phone. I blinked. "You have the phone? I thought Fi did."
Lip shook his head, putting it to him ear. "Nuh-uh. Yo, Kev. 43rd and Halsted. Bring a crowbar."
I grinned at Lip. "Breaking in?"
Lip grinned back. "Hell yeah." I slapped a high-five with him. I heard Mandy and Ian laughing at us.
But, when Fiona dropped out of school and was too busy working, me and Lip would go around, breaking into trucks and stealing whatever we found. It was either food, household supplies, anything we could use. One time we even carried a toilet home. The look on Fiona's face was priceless.
I saw Kev coming with a crowbar and V was with him. I smiled and waved a hand in their direction. Fiona and Steve were also coming. "Come on, hurry!" We needed to get it open before the guy came back.
Kev jogged over with the crowbar. "I'm coming, I'm coming."
I smirked, about to make a dirty joke, but got punched in the shoulder by my sister. "Don't even, Joe."
I just sent her a unrepentant grin back.
We crowded around the back of the truck as Kev used the crowbar to lift up the door. I was in the back with my brothers, standing on my tip toes to see. My eyes widened in surprise at what was in front of us. "Holy Shit!"
Lip smacked my shoulder in agreement. "You got that right. Damn."
Ian exclaimed. "Fuck!"
I followed Kev and Lip inside. I was three huge slabs of meat hanging and some boxes. You know how long that would last us? Even if we split it with Kevin and V, even Mandy since she's with us?
Kevin said. "What is this?"
Lip said. "Come on. I got them, I got them, I got them."
I saw we were getting the attention of the others of the South Side.
Fiona noticed too. "Shit, hurry up."
I grimaced as I noticed Kev go back once it got crowded.
I and Lip helped carry one of the carcasses and we had a box that I saw Ian carrying. V and Kev had their own stuff.
Me and Lip dropped the meat down on the table with a grunt. That shit was heavy.
V was already inside and opened the fridge. "How the hell are we gonna fit all that in there?"
Ian came in carrying the box, which he set down.
Steve said, holding a cleaver. "We could hang it in the garage until Spring, hack off what we need."
I gave him a weird look. Fiona agreed with me. "The rats would get at it."
Carl came in with a smirk and a weed pliers. "Rats won't be a problem."
I snorted. "Shit, who let him have those again?" As Carl snickered at me, I went on. "We could always slice it down and stuff it in the fridge."
Steve asked me, waving the cleaver. "Would it fit?" I gave him a shrug, holding my tongue from saying a; that's what she said joke. As Fiona's glanced at me (and knowing me so well), she knew I would say something, but I was too busy figuring out the meat situation.
"Move! Move!"
I and everyone else moved out of Kev's way, a huge hunk of meat over his shoulder. He slammed it down next to the other one. "Here we go. Ugh. Phew."
I was in disbelief at all the meat we had. This is the best haul we've had in a long time.
Veronica asked. "Does Ron Fitzgerald still have that chain saw?"
Kev took a deep breath. "Yeah and he owes me. I told him his wife he was on his way home when he was getting a hummer from some dude."
I snickered to myself. Everyone assumed he was gay except for his wife. But, nobody said anything. It was just one of those things.
Lip and Kev went to get it and as we cut down the meat, we put big chunks of it in ziploc bags. I was sitting with Fiona and helping her. I checked the time. "Shit, gotta go to work."
Fiona asked. "How long you working?"
It was 3:15 now. "Uh, 4 to 8. Last day of the week."
Steve was coming back over. Most likely to bug Fiona.
Fiona was sending me a worried look. "Your hours getting cut again?"
I rubbed a hand over my face, sighing deeply. "Yeah two days. It's fucking bullshit, that's what it is."
Fiona put a hand under my arm, pulling me up. "Well, go. Don't give them an excuse."
I went up stairs and changed into the white polo and green apron, keeping the jeans I was wearing on.
I came down stairs again with a cigarette in my mouth and a scarf around my neck along with my jacket, especially since I was leaving around nine.
I saw Lip and Fiona surrounding our tables filled with letters. Carl was also sitting on the couch.
"What the fuck?"
Lip said. "Frank's bills."
I scoffed. "Jesus. I'm goin' to work."
I was working, cleaning and what not. The time was actually passing quickly. Which I was happy about. Sometimes the time went at a crawl. I noticed the General Manager staring at me. It was making the back of my neck itch and driving me crazy. Dave was noticing it and wouldn't look me in the eye.
It was getting on my nerves and I could feel my eyebrow twitches and was grateful Rebecca didn't seem to be coming over. I felt like I was going to loose my temper. And I didn't want to be around her for that. She's seen me mad, but not like that.
My shift finally ended and for some reason it was just me and the GM called me over into his little office. "Yo, boss."
His was an older man, about 50's with grey and white hair, fat and always seemed to wear slacks, a button down shirt and a tie everyday. He was a bitch, but so was every boss I think. At least that's what I've heard from Fiona. First thing she told me about this job when I got it a year ago.
He ran a hand over his hair. "Look, kid. Season is over and you're a student and a minor."
I felt a growing horror and anger. I asked lowly. "What does that mean?" I could feel my jaw tightened.
"I'm letting you go."
He grabbed an envelope from a folder and put it on the table. "This is your last check."
I was silent, filled with disbelief. "Are-Are you Ser-serious?!"
"Look-"
I pointed at him. "Come on! I need this job, you can't do this!"
I was helping pay rent and part of the electric. We were screwed.
"I am sorry-"
I threw my hands up with a yell. "You know what!? Fuck you! You and your money, you prick! Takin' the job from me, no warnin'. It's just so easy for you!" I was breathing deeply with anger, furious and in despair at loosing a job that was bringing money into the house. Lip had his test taking and Ian had the store (even with him fucking Kash).
He grabbed the envelope and held it out to me, frowning. "Look, Gallagher, just take it. I'm willing to put in a good reference for you, okay?"
I know most would say it was kind of him and all, but I was pissed off and panicking. Who knows how long it would take me to find a job? I snatched it roughly, swearing and storming out of the room.
"Gallagher! Gallagher!"
I slammed my foot into the front of the glass front door. I tried to control my temper, it's why I boxed. It helped calm down my anger. It didn't break, just shook in front of me. That pissed me off, and I kicked it harder.
"Joey, knock that off!"
I could hear him running from the office. I kicked it again and again, letting out a yell of frustration. "Fucking. Piece. Of. Shit!"
I could feel a ringing in my ears, almost when my ears got blasted from being close to huge speakers. Or when I was beyond pissed off.
The haze cleared when I felt pain. I looked to see a little glass piercing my leg. I grimaced. "Ow, shit."
I stormed out of the store. "Joey Gallagher! You're going to pay for that."
I flipped him the bird, limping away from there and lighting a cigarette.
I opened the first door, the second cigarette down to the butt in my mouth. I rubbed the end off and tossed it on the floor. I didn't care if Fiona bitched me out for it. I opened the door and ignored my family, who were in the living room.
Lip said. "Hey, Joe."
I said quietly. "Hey."
I ignored him after that and hobbled up the stairs. I walked into the bathroom and shut the door, leaning against it. I hiked my leg up and plucked the bits of glass and wiped it, hissing in pain. I wrapped a bandage and other than being stiff, it was fine.
I was pissed and hit with a fit of unfairness. It wasn't fair, that we had shitty parents who forced us to make money and Fiona to drop out of school, and work her ass off or me to be doomed just because I lost a job. I was just-
"Hey, Joey! You still up there?!"
I jumped, lost in my angry thoughts. I felt angry with myself, no need to be self pitying. It's not gonna help me get a new job, just got to suck it up and find a job. Gallagher don't whine, we don't have time to.
I rolled down the legs of my jeans and there was barely any blood. I had a slight limp, but I was okay.
I jogged down the stairs and thumped down loudly. "Hey! What's up?"
Fiona and Steve (who I didn't see before were looking around confused) with Fiona holding Liam.
V was instruction Lip and Carl to move bouquets of flowers around. There were flowers all around the living room. And a casket, which was obviously the most confusing to see in our house.
Fiona looked around. "What the hell?"
I shrugged. "I dunno. Just got off work."
Debbie bumped into me as she ran down the stairs. My shoulders twitched back. "Hey!"
Debbie said briskly. "Then get out the way."
I sent the back of my sister's head a glare. What a brat.
Fiona asked. "Debbie, what's going on?"
Debbie turned around and I noticed she was in her nicer clothes, a red and black pleated skirt and a coat, with a white button down shirt over it. "Some killers are after Dad. We have to fake his death. Lip borrowed a casket, Carl found some flowers, Dad's getting changed and I steamed your dress. And no, Joey, we have a ironed pair of dress pants and a button up shirt, you don't have to wear a skirt or dress."
My annoyance dipped down a bit after hearing all that out of my sister's mouth. I then snorted. "Sounds like something Frank would do."
V called her. "Debs come here." V was also in a dress, leather and skin tight. Even seeing her as family, my eyes darted from her long legs. What can I say, I'm a horny lesbian teenager.
Speaking of that, I need to find my girlfriend after this...whatever this was.
Frank came in dressed in a suit and I went back upstairs to change into the clothes, seeing a nice, but old pair of dress pants and a button down shirt. Deciding to be fancy, I tucked it in and brushed through my hair a little. The best part of a scam was to make it believable, but not too much where it looks too perfect.
As I went down the stairs, Frank was sitting and Carl was stuffing ice in his shirt when Fiona told him too. While Debbie was putting make up on his face. I chuckled, this was more amusing than I thought it would be.
Frank tried to pull away. "Stop, enough!"
Fiona was standing next to V. "Your body needs to be cold."
Steve was standing back, watching is disbelief. I snorted, walking over. "Getting used to the Gallagher's yet?"
He looked at me in surprise and grinned, glancing at Fiona. "I'm starting too."
The amusement on my face softened a bit, if he seriously made Fiona happy, I had no problem.
I glanced back over at Frank, who complained. "More morphine."
Veronica sent him an annoyed look. "It's horse tranquilizer."
Lip popped up behind me. "Get in the coffin before you pass out."
I cursed myself in my head as I jumped and saw his smirk. Damn Lip.
I shook my head. "Seriously. We're not carrying you inside, Frank."
Frank sent me a look. "Really Joey, you're so cruel."
Me and Lip sent him identical annoyed looks. Lip said. "I don't know why we do this for you?"
Frank stood up. "You think it's easy being a parent? Letting Fiona be the good cop? The important thing is you kids. Carl." I rolled my eyes when he went over and cradled his face. I wonder if you can get sick from stupidity?
Frank said. "I remember when the nurse in the hospital handed you to me."
I scoffed. "Carl was born in the back of the van and I was there." Seeing that as a kid was disgusting.
Lip glared. "Yeah and you weren't."
Frank straightening up, coming toward us, pointing. "I slapped his little ass myself."
Lip was pissed and punched him in the face, causing Debbie to scream and Fiona to ran forward...to whatever she thought would happen.
I brushed off my hands. "Well, that's one way to do it."
V checked him over. "Well, he looks dead."
Ian came in with a shiner looking confused. Fiona glanced at him face, grabbing his chin. "What the hell happened?"
Ian grimaced, pulling away. "It's nothing, Fi. I'm fine."
Fiona looked annoyed and V said. "Fiona, I know you want to know, but we're running out of time."
Fiona sighed. "Shit, we'll talk about this later, Ian."
Ian, looked like he wanted to make a face, but he nodded. "Yeah, sure, Fiona. Now, what's going on?"
Lip explained and Ian just shook his head. following along.
A moment later, I heard a loud truck. V looked over. "Oh, shit. That must be them!"
We played some funeral music and V leaned on Lip's shoulder. Steve stood next to Fiona. I stood behind Carl and Debbie (who were 'crying') and made myself look sad. Sadly enough, this isn't the weirdest thing we've done. I put both my hands on their shoulders. I felt my shoulders tense as the door opened, but didn't outwardly show it.
I heard two foot steps and glanced up to see two older guys around Frank's age. The one who had to be the leader spoke up. "Sorry about your loss." He was glancing around. The second guy was behind him and keeping quiet.
Fiona said 'tearfully'. "It was a shock."
The leader said. "I'm sure." His voice was full of sarcasm. "Accident, was it?"
Lip answered with the story we were keeping. "Suicide."
Fiona and Debbie went to fake cry. I just used one hand to cover my eyes in my 'grief'.
The man ran over and pulled Carl and Debbie away from him as he lunged forward with my eyes narrowed. That bastard lays a hand on my siblings, I'll kick his teeth in and his buddy in the back too.
He grabbed Frank by the shirt and shook him. Debbie screamed. I really hope that's not gonna wake him up. The guy said. "Come on, open your eyes, you lying sack of shit! Open your eyes!"
He slapped him and his partner stopped him. "Jesus, Rob."
Rob snarled. "You're alive, I know it! Come on!"
I knew the feeling. Frank just had a talent of pissing you off.
"What's the matter with you? Look at him, he's dead!" Rob's partner might must save us.
We were pretty tense ourselves. Rob said. "Check with the boss. Nobody move."
I kept my arms around both Carl and Debbie. Seeing the situation, Carl didn't squirm away.
Rob's partner called the 'boss' on a flip phone. We waited.
Fiona sent me a look and I let go of Carl, pushing him slightly toward the back door. He walked outside. He was our Plan B.
Rob's partner started talking. "Yeah, there's nothing here worth taking. Unless you want the little girl. She's 11, 12. No, she's cute, but not really a looker."
I clenched my jaw, my hands tightening around her arms. No way in hell were they selling my sister. Ian eyes were wide, looking between them and our little sister.
"How about Frank. Any toes, fingers, you know, for proof?"
I withheld a grimace. As much as Frank pisses me off, I didn't want to see that. And waking up to that...
Rob's partner said, hanging up. "Okay, fine. Keeps his extremities."
Lip asked. "And you'll be gone?"
Rob's partner nodded. "Soon as he's in the ground."
Debbie cried. "What?! No! Why?!"
I tugged her closer to me as she moved forward, sending the men a look. "Ever heard of a funeral being a private affair?"
Rob's partner shrugged. "Boss' orders. Stay with the scumbag until he's buried." Frank pissed me off, but did I want to see him buried alive?
I held in my smirk as I heard a glass break and a car horn blaring. That had to be Carl. Our Plan B.
Rob cursed. "Dammit, that's me!" They walked out to look, me hoping Carl got away in time, even knowing he had. It's not the first time we pulled something like that.
Lip looked over.
Ian asked. "They're gonna bury him?"
Me and Lip shared a look. Lip said. "If we keep our mouths shut."
I tugged on the back of my hair. "Shit."
Fiona said. "We need something to put in the coffin."
I nodded. "The car isn't gonna stop them. They look like they're from the mob or something."
Lip nodded. "All right."
We followed Fiona out the door and into the back down the stairs. She was at the garbage can in the back. She flipped open the lid and I gagged at the smell, forcing my gag reflex down. It was part of the meat we found, pieces from when they must of cut it up. Rotting meat.
Me, Fiona and Lip were down here, the rest of them were on the stairs.
Fiona asked. "We need more time. Can you stall 'em?"
I glanced up at V, to see her giving a 'oh, please' look. It made me smile. She unzipped her jacket till her boobs showed and went back inside to the front door. I said. "Come on, Kev."
I grabbed Frank's arm and he rushed to grab the other. It was better than smelling rotting meat. Though Frank wasn't smelling much better. I groaned as we tugging him up the stairs. "For Fuck's sake!"
Kev heaved him up and we hid him in one of the rooms, inside the closet. I jumped back down stairs. He was headed to the Alibi, for the 'wake'.
I helped them bring the casket down the stairs groaning with the weight as Debbie and Carl bickered with each other. Rob got frustrated and helped us bring it into the hearse, the smell still admitting from the casket, even if it was closed tightly.
The men followed us to the Alibi and I saw down at the bar next to Fiona, Carl was on his other side and Lip was by the door. Ian disappeared somewhere before I could catch him. I heard the door open and then close, whoever was trying to come in, was gone.
Kev started banging on a glass and everyone looked at him. "Could I have your attention, please?" He raised a glass. "Frank Gallagher. Loving husband, devoted father."
I smirked a bit, me and Fiona sharing a look. Lip had a amused look at the words, the furthest from describing Frank.
Kev went on. "Truly respected and cherished member of this community. He was a good friend and a good neighbor and he will be sorely missed. I just hope that in the afterlife, they treat him kindly as he treated us. To Frank."
Everyone called out the same and I waited with bated breath as Rob took the shot down. He got up. "Long trip back to Milwakee."
I watched as they walked out and Lip locked the door. I shared a grin with Fiona. Another crisis adverted.
Frank came out from the back, still decked out in his suit. "Gonna take more than that to take out the lights on Frank Galligher! First round's on me!"
We all cheered and slammed our hands on the bar. I reached behind, grabbing the rum and 2 shot glasses. I poured liquior and handed one to Frank (who passed me). I drank it down, my throat burning. He did the same, laughing and throwing his arm over my shoulder. "Atta girl, Joe."
I snorted, downing another shot.
Frank let me go and was drinking whiskey as he sat down. Carl was at the table with him. I leaned against the bar, drinking from the bottle. Any worry I had seem to brush off my shoulder. For Fuck's sake, loosing a job over the fucking mob is a big difference.
I was listening to Frank going on about seeing Jesus. I snorted with laughter, taking another drink.
"...He was warm, like the inner thighs of a overworked hooker."
I burst into laughter, leaning more on the counter.
Kev said. "You need a cigerette."
I got up, holding the neck of the bottle. "Ooh, give me one."
Lip sent me a look. "Always bumming cigerette's."
I shrugged, rolling my eyes at him. "Whatever, left 'em at home."
I glanced over and saw Ian come in. I set the bottle down, grabbing the offered cigeratte from Kev and lighting up.
Frank was waving a bottle around. "Don't think I didn't see some of you happy to see me go. You're on the list, pal!"
I walked over to Lip, puffing smoke. "What the hell is goin' on with him?"
Lip shrugged, his eyes on the back of Ian's head. "Fuck if I know. Just keep a eye on 'im."
I nodded in agreement. "Yeah." Ian thought with his heart a lot. He was smart, but didn't seem to think things through. It always got him hurt. When we were kids and even now, he's the closest to Monica out of his older kids. Frank may piss me off all the time, but he wasn't like Monica.
A little later (and drunker) in the night, Frank was standing with a microphone in his hand. I was by the bar again, standing next to Fiona.
Frank called out. "People ask me, they say, 'Frank', why do you drink?" I grinned as he started sinking. I actually remember that from when I was a kid, before my eyes were opened to Frank, it happens to all of us eventually.
I chanted with Fiona, the alcohol running through my system. "To get drunk!"
"And why do you roll smoke?"
I laughed, singing louder with everyone else, raising my half bottle of rum in the air. "To get high!"
"Why must you live out all the songs that you wrote?"
I saw Steve come over with that dopey love look on his face. "I'm outta here."
Fiona glanced over. "What-you're such a kid, you know that, Joey?"
I snickered as she shoved my shoulder and I passed Ian and stopped. "Dude, your face. What the hell?"
It looked worse over here. "Don't worry, Joe. It's fine." But he caught the attention of Fiona, who got up. I made a 'opps' face, seeing 'Mama Bear Fiona'. I ducked away, noticing Ian's glare. She'd deal with it. I set the bottle down on a table. Someone else will drink it, trust me.
I opened the door, feeling the air slap me in the face, comparing to the hot air of the bar. I stopped out cigerette. I shook my head. I was a bit buzzed, but nothing like that one night I went Rebecca's. I went over to her house.
I walked over to her house and remembering the time I threw rocks at her window, or should I say, her brothers. I climbed up toward her window and hung on, knowing lightly on her window. My feet scrapped against the brick of her house. I had a feeling I was going to fall if she didn't soon, I was going to fall. The window opened and I grinned at her shock. "Joey!?"
I grinned wider. "Can I come in? I'm about to fall."
Her eyes widened and she grabbed my shoulders, pulling me in. She yelped and I fell on top of her between her spread legs. I smirked, leaning my weight on my hands. "So, this is where you want me?"
I glanced up and saw a man's jacket and dark blue jeans, clothes she wouldn't wear. I tilted my head, curious. "Who's that belong to?"
She glanced up and looked to see her eyes' widened and she rolled her eyes. "My brother. Idiot can't do his own washing."
I frowned in confusion at her response, before she grabbed my face and kissed me. Shrugging, I pressed closer to her and kissed back.
I don't know why I was thinking about that, anyway.
When Lip and I were younger, about 13 for me and 14 for Lip, we stole a lot of stuff out of trucks. We've took a lot of stuff. Meat, milk, furniture, anything we could get.
There was a truck with a long bed, a cover over it. Me and Lip were walking and we glanced at it. A overweight man in his 30's hobbled out and went into a store. I glanced over at Lip, to see him sending me the same look. We ran over, my old tennis shoes (old ones of Fiona) scuffled against the ground. I ripped the tarp away and gaped. "Holy shit!"
Lip shoved me out of the way. "What is-holy shit!"
I smacked his arm in agreement. "Right!" I said a second later, tilting my head. "So, should we take it?"
Lip stared at it. "Uh, yeah. Might need it."
It was a toilet.
I nodded in agreement and he got up on the truck, getting by it.
I glanced over and nodded, the guy was still in the store. He heaved it up toward the edge and then got down, both of us carrying one side. I groaned, my arms shaking from the weight. "Fuck."
Lip was making the same face, his jaw hard. We shuffled backward. People were looking at us, but didn't say anything. Nobody snitched on the South Side. As we turned the corner, we heard loud cursing and speed up.
We went faster, but had to take rests. Lip ran a hand through his curly hair. "Damn, this is heavy."
I wiped the sweat off my neck, making a face and wiping it on my jean shorts. "Yeah, let's hurry up."
We heaved it up and brought it to the front doors, setting it down in the kitchen. Dad was on the couch, drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. He looked over and laughed loudly. I grinned at him. "What do you think, Dad?"
He snorted. "Looks great, kids."
I heard someone come down the stairs. "Lip, Joe, you finally-what the fuck?" Fiona was our older sister, she was 18 and always watching out for us. Making sure we have food and taking care of bills. Our parents were here sometimes, sometimes not. Usually drunk or high. It wasn't new and I usually shrugged it off.
Lip splayed out his arm. "We took it."
Fiona stared at the both of us. "You took it?!"
Dad laughed and Fiona rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Frank."
I said. "We might need it later, you never know."
Fiona knew we had to take risks to survive the way we did, she just saw it as a pointless one.
Jokes on her for that, a couple months later, our old toilet broke when Dad was doing something with Mom (I didn't want to know), smashing it to pieces. When it happened, Fiona pointed at me and Lip's smug faces, "Don't even start."
It still made us laugh to this day.
I know it's been forever, but I never know when I'm gonna update my stories as I'm a full time college student with a full time job. Hopefully, it will be sometime soon.
