Pieces [Lip Gallagher]

Chapter 23:

I watched Monica as she tried to take care of all her kids.

"Monica. Carl needs something from you." Lip said pointing to Carl.

"Here." Carl said handing her a paper.

"What? What's this?" Monica asked.

"Permission slip." Lip explained.

"You're going to the aquarium. When?" Monic asked as she signed the paper.

"Today. I need $10." Carl said.

"What for?" Bob asked.

"Admission fee." Carl said.

"School doesn't pay for that?" Bob asked.

"No. And he'll need money for food." Lip said.

"Grab him an instant oatmeal and a Poptart. Makes a great lunch." Bob said.

"Deb what are you doing?" Monica asked.

"I'm looking for a poster board and markers. I'm running for re-election." She explained.

"Ian could you help her?" Monica asked. "If you would tell me these things before it'd be a little better in the morning."

"I need forty bucks." Lip said.

"No." Bob said.

"Bob do you have a five?" Monica asked.

"In my wallet. Where it's gonna stay." Bob said.

"I need a new calculus textbook. I can get it used only cost twenty." Lip said.

"Where are our lunches?" Ian asked.

We all looked at Monica and she looked back at her kids. 

"What is everybody looking at? Start spreading peanut butter on bread." Bob ordered.

"Right." Monica said grabbing the bread.

She put the bread out on the counter and looked around.

"So. Okay where's the jelly?" Monica asked.

Soon everyone started taking over each other. After a bit Monica was putting random stuff in bags, separating things "evenly".

"Okay." Monica said and started handing them their "lunches".

"We won't be here when you get home from school." Bob announced.

"Why?" Debbie asked.

"What?" Monica asked.

"Fiona always yells us why." Debbie explained.

"None of your damn business why." Bob said.

"Bob." Monica called.

"Your mother told you to go, so go." Bob waved us away.

"Out." Monica said.

"Go on guys. I'll catch up." Lip said.

I walked over to Lip and slipped two twenty's into his hand and chased after the other three outside before he could give them back.

"Carl do you still need money?" I asked.

He looked at me and nodded. I flipped through the money I had in my pocket and pulled out what I thought would be enough.

"This good?" I asked handing it to him.

He looked up at me and nodded excitedly.

"Thanks." Ian muttered as we walked down the sidewalk to school. "Where'd you get all of it, anyways?"