southside trash [shameless]

• Chapter 26 • Crime •

"First pub crawl I did was when I was sixteen, hit twenty-two pubs before I hurled," Frank tells us as he fries up some bacon and pancakes, "got right back on the horse, hit ten more, hurled again. That's how I got the nickname 'Boot and Rally'."

"Cool!" Carl exclaims, taking his plate over to the table.

"Of course the stories you tell your kids are drinking achievements," I roll my eyes with a small chuckle before taking a plate from him and joining Carl and Debbie at the table.

"Anyone seen the laptop?" Fiona yells, walking into the kitchen from the living room. She stops at the sight of our father cooking, "what's going on in here?"

"Daddy made us some Mickey Mouse pancakes," Debbie tells her, holding one up.

"Are you serious?" Fiona comes over to us.

"Mm-hm," I nod at our sister, with my mouth full.

"What did I tell you?" Lip scoffs, appearing at the bottom of the stairs and heading over to the fridge, "still not drinking 'til he gets his money."

"If I ever drink again," Frank shrugs.

"Right," Lip rolls his eyes.

"Java's my vice now," Frank tells him, taking a sip of coffee.

"Yeah, well, drunk or sober, you're still an asshole," Lip points out.

"Lip!" Debbie glares at our brother accusingly.

"It's okay, Deb," Frank puts an arm around Lip, "everyone's got a right to his opinion, that's what makes this country so great." He grabs an especially large cup and comes over to the table, "you want orange juice?"

"Ooh yeah," Debbie nods, and he pours her some.

"Where's you get all this stuff to makes breakfast?" Fiona suddenly asks, halting her search for the laptop.

"Traded some old Hustler magazines with Rusty the drunk, he's working as a dishwasher at the Denny's over on West 95th Street," he tells her, "you want some OJ?"

"No. Oh!" Fiona gasps happily, "found it, I'm taking this to the job centre for a few hours."

I smile, realising that she decided to take the PowerPoint class, then turn to Lip, "come on, Lip, at least enjoy some of the food."

"I'll pass," he responds flatly, "now come one, Debs, Carl, Em, grab your coats. Told Kev we'd be over there in five minutes."

"Does that weird girl have to come with us?" Debbie asks.

"Debbie!" I scold her, "give her a chance. Joe, Dax and Jenny will be there too, I want you to try and makes Ethel feel comfortable."

"Where you going?" Frank asks, wiping down the counter.

"Bowling," Debbie answers, as we stand up and grab our coats, "Lip knows a kid who can get us in for free, wanna come?"

"No!" Lip quickly interjects, "I don't think he can."