South Side (A Shameless Fanfiction)

Chapter Thirty One

"Carl! Come on, you're gonna be late for camp!" Fiona called a few days later as we were eating breakfast.

Carl hurried down the stairs, carrying Ian's black ROTC duffel bag that he lent him.

"Mind watching the kids while I'm gone?" Fiona asked Jimmy, grabbing the keys to his car.

Jimmy nodded.

"Sure."

I took a bite of my buttered toast and got up from the table, following Carl to the front door.

"Bye, little man. See you in a week." I said, rubbing his shaved head.

Just then, he wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me tight.

"I love you, Jessie." He said.

I glanced at Fiona, whose eyes were wide.

"I love you too, Carl." I said in surprise.

He pulled away from me and then gave Ian and Lip a hug, and even hugged Debs, which shocked me considering all they do is bicker. Then, he waved to us as he left with Fi out the door.

As soon as Carl left, Frank came stumbling in, a beer in his hand.

"Hello, my least favorite daughter." He slurred his words as he walked past me into the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring him.

"Drunk already, Frank? It's 9 in the morning." Lip noted.

"It's never too early for a nice drink." Frank replied as he took a swig of his beer.

"Did Carl leave for cancer camp already?" He asked.

The orange juice I was drinking went down the wrong pipe and I coughed.

"Cancer camp?" I choked out. "That's where you sent him?"

"I...probably shouldn't have told you that." said Frank.

"You said he had lice." Ian said.

Frank shrugged.

"Well, he doesn't."

I groaned, knowing Frank probably told poor Carl he had cancer just so he could get money.

"Well, at least he'll have a fun time." said Ian, making me laugh.

*

Since my friends were all out tonight, Zack was doing something for work, and Lip was out with Mandy, I was sitting on the couch with Debs, Liam in my lap, watching TV.

As I scrolled through the movie selections, the front door opened and Jimmy came inside, his father leaning on him.

I stood up and put my hands on my hips.

"What the hell, Jimmy? What's your dad doing here?" I asked, hoping Ian didn't come down.

Too late. Ian came bounding down the stairs now. When he saw Ned, he froze.

"Shit." He muttered.

"I'm sorry I had to bring him here, but he got drunk and wasn't in a state to be alone." Jimmy answered.

"Where's your mom?" I asked him.

"Our marriage is unfortunately no longer. We are getting a divorce!" Ned exclaimed now.

"What?" Jimmy asked in shock.

I glanced at Ian.

"Well, this is awkward. Jimmy, bring him upstairs and get him cleaned off. He can sleep in Frank's old bed." I ordered.