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Glaring at Dexter, Bianca held her tongue, planning to ask later when they were alone. "You're fucking hilarious."
Dexter chuckled, going back to his drink.
Peggy didn't say anything else to Dexter. She flagged Kevin down. "Gin for me, cola for Carl."
Kevin was actually pretty intimidated by Peggy. He hurried up, served drinks, and asked casually, "Peggy, thought you had at least twenty years?"
Peggy picked up gin, downed it in one heroic gulp. "Pretended I was dying. Idiots bought it, let me out."
Kevin's eyelid twitched. Didn't know what to say, so he shut his mouth.
Peggy tapped table lightly, signaling Kevin to pour another.
Kevin obediently did it.
Peggy finally turned to Frank, who was still standing there looking like he'd seen a ghost.
Staring at Frank's face, disgust in Peggy's eyes was crystal clear. "See your mother and don't even say a word?"
Hearing that, Frank's mouth moved few times before he finally managed to squeak out, "Mom."
Peggy gave faint smile, looking Frank up and down. "You look like dog shit. How the hell did you end up like this?"
Frank didn't dare speak. Looked like total coward. Zero trace of guy who was just shooting his mouth off.
Dexter watched with smile, finding it genuinely entertaining. Also thought Frank was a pathetic fuck.
Peggy shook head, no energy to waste on Frank. "Stop acting like fucking retard and buy your mother a drink."
Hearing that, Frank finally breathed sigh of relief. Smiled stiffly, recovering tiny bit of his usual self, and turned to Kevin. "Kevin, put it on my tab."
"..." Kevin hesitated, but ultimately didn't refuse or expose Frank's bullshit tab.
Next thing you know.
Frank and Peggy were sitting side-by-side drinking.
After downing two beers, Frank finally gathered courage to ask Peggy weakly, "You went home?"
"Yeah," Peggy replied without even looking at him.
"Saw kids, right?" Frank's eyes darted around. "They're great. Keep house looking nice, making money. I raised 'em well..."
Spouting bullshit for second, Frank smoothly shifted to main point. "House is just a bit cramped. Kids barely have room to sleep. Where you planning to stay? Rent's real cheap out there right now..."
Hearing this, Peggy immediately frowned, cutting Frank off with cold tone. "It's my house. Obviously I'm staying there."
"You got problem with that?"
Frank definitely had problem, but didn't dare say it. Just shook head weakly. "No, no. Good you stay there. Get to know kids. They're great at taking care of people, they'll take good care of you."
Peggy sneered. "Frank, shut the fuck up."
Frank was instantly terrified. Mouth moved few times, wanting to excuse himself, but didn't have balls to keep talking, or even balls to run away. Just obediently shut his mouth and drank in silence.
Watching this.
Dexter was highly amused, mind racing.
Peggy's appearance was, in a way, pure torture for Frank... not physical, but mental.
In original show, Peggy didn't get to torture Frank long or hard enough before Sheila sat on her and smothered her to death. Genuine shame...
Now, was there way to let Peggy torture Frank harder and longer?
Dexter was deep in thought until Carl suddenly spoke up. "Dexter, that job you mentioned. I want it."
Hearing that, Dexter snapped out of it and looked at Carl. "Fiona and rest agree to it?"
Carl hesitated, deciding not to lie, and shook head. "No, they all said no."
Dexter smiled. "Then I can't let you work. They'd just come looking for trouble."
"I promise they won't! If they give you shit, I'll give them shit," Carl said, deadly serious and swearing on it.
Seeing Carl's reaction, Dexter's smile instantly grew wider.
There was reason Carl became legendary 'Carl'. What he lacked in IQ, he made up for in pure balls.
Plus, when Carl wanted something, he went after it. Not afraid of hard work, iron willpower. Unlike other Gallaghers with their endless mountain of bullshit...
"Tell you what. Try it out tomorrow, see how it goes," Dexter nodded. "If Fiona and rest come busting my balls, you're done day after tomorrow. I can't afford to mess with them."
Carl nodded instantly. "Deal!"
"I'll call Mickey then," Dexter pulled out phone, about to dial.
Nearby, Mickey, sitting at table and still reeling from Dexter's earlier stories, had been keeping eye on him. Hearing that, he immediately called out, "Dexter, I'm right here."
Dexter followed voice, saw Mickey, put phone away, and looked at Carl. "Go talk to Mickey direct then. Scared of him?"
Carl gave cocky smirk. "Scared of what? Hell no."
Dropping that line, Carl strutted over to Mickey.
One older, one younger, two minors started talking shop.
---
"Dexter, Veronica and I are thinking about fostering kid. What do you think?" Bar had slowed down slightly. Kevin leaned over bar, whispering to Dexter.
Dexter: "????"
So, actually pretty cute Ethel is about to make her entrance?
Bianca: "????"
What the hell is with today? Why is topic of kids coming up again?
Feeling conflicted, Bianca lowered head slightly, focusing on sipping drink, playing ostrich.
"Where'd this come from all of sudden?" Dexter was genuinely curious.
Kevin grinned like idiot. "Not sudden. Always liked kids. Since we got married, figured we could have one, but Veronica thinks having kid will ruin our lifestyle."
"So we talked about fostering one first. Test drive having kid."
Alright, reason wasn't too crazy.
Also, Veronica was seriously smart. Kids...
Given how Kevin got around kids, soon as Veronica actually gave birth, Kevin would probably act exactly like he did in original show—obsessing over kid non-stop like total retard.
"Didn't think about having kids after your last marriage?" Dexter asked with smile.
Hearing that, Bianca was surprised. Head snapped up, looking at Kevin. "You were married?"
Kevin looked little embarrassed, responding to Bianca first. "Yeah, young and dumb back then. Complicated situation."
Bianca blinked, eyes conflicted. Looked at Kevin first, then turned to Dexter.
Bianca was too much fun.
Dexter was highly amused. "Never been married. Not like him, so don't look at me like that."
Bianca rolled eyes, going back to playing ostrich and drinking.
Kevin finally turned back to Dexter. "Was young back then, different story. Anyway, what do you think of idea?"
"Depends on one question," Dexter replied.
"What question?" Kevin was confused.
"You foster this kid, few months down line, you gonna give her back?" Dexter asked.
Kevin shook head without ounce of hesitation. "If kid wants to stay with us, hell no!"
"Then it's great idea. Do it," Dexter smiled.
Kevin grinned, looking thrilled. "Hearing you say that puts me at ease. Taking Veronica to get it done tomorrow."
Dexter showed support. "Congrats. About to be dad."
"Hehe," Kevin laughed goofily.
"..." Bianca felt like Dexter's words carried deeper meaning.
After chatting with Kevin about fostering, seeing it was getting late, Dexter suggested to Bianca, "Let's head back."
"Okay," Bianca replied, heavily preoccupied.
"You seem off tonight," Dexter noticed and asked.
Bianca shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Let's go."
Dexter smiled and gently shook his head. "When you feel ready, tell me."
"Okay," Bianca agreed.
They got up, said goodbye to Kevin, then to Mickey and Carl, and headed out to the car, driving back to North Wallace.
Inside the house.
The TV on the first floor was on.
In the dark, on the couch, Daijiu and Little Crow looked like they were watching TV.
Bianca spotted them and was a little surprised. "You really do have special pets. They even watch TV."
"Haha, they need a little entertainment too," Dexter replied with a smile, flipping on the light. "Go put your luggage away. I'll take care of the dust."
"Mhm," Bianca carried her suitcase up to the second floor and into the bedroom.
Technically, this was only her second time here.
Bianca quietly looked around.
The bedroom was brand new, luxurious, and looked very warm, yet somewhat unfamiliar.
After looking for a moment, Bianca finally moved, opening her suitcase in front of the closet and hanging her clothes up one by one.
Downstairs, the sound of the vacuum cleaner started.
Hearing it, Bianca unconsciously felt a sense of warmth, smiled, and then sped up.
Done unpacking.
Bianca hurried downstairs to help out.
After a while of cleaning, they were finally done.
Both of them were covered in dust and looked pretty messy. Looking at each other, they burst out laughing.
"Go take a shower," Dexter smiled.
After showering and changing into pajamas, it was past ten o'clock.
"Want some fruit?" Dexter asked.
Bianca decisively shook her head, rubbing her stomach. "Ate too much tonight, still haven't digested it."
"True, it's all bulging out," Dexter laughed.
Bianca: "???? Dexter!"
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to beat you up."
After joking around for a bit and watching some TV, they turned off the lights to sleep.
Bianca couldn't sleep. Eyes wide open, she hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to speak up. "Dexter?"
"Yeah?" Dexter wasn't tired either, just trying to fall asleep.
"I can't have kids right now..." Bianca said weakly.
"????" Dexter froze for a second, then figured it out. "Is that why you've been acting weird tonight?"
"Mhm..."
"I don't want kids right now either," Dexter laughed.
Bianca blinked, her eyes shining beautifully in the dark. "??? Really?"
"Really. Kids are annoying as hell," That was the truth; Dexter honestly had no plans for that anytime soon.
Bianca felt like Dexter had a screw loose. "...Then why did you bring it up so many times tonight?"
"Did I?" Dexter thought back, realizing he actually had. "I was just joking. It's funny watching people suffer trying to raise kids."
"You're seriously messed up!" Bianca was pissed.
"Haha, no I'm not. I'm perfectly normal," Dexter chuckled. "Alright, stop overthinking it. Look at that head of yours, spinning out of control."
"Hmph!" Bianca got even madder. All that stressing, and it was over nothing.
Great.
She's mad. Gotta coax her.
How to coax?
Fuck her into submission, obviously;
Dexter gave a wicked smirk and made his move.
Bianca: "??? Dexter, I'm mad. What are you doing?"
"You."
"???"
Before long, Bianca's anger vanished.
---
Deep into the night.
Pitch black inside the Gallagher house.
Lying in bed, watching Liam stand in his crib doing some creepy thrusting motions, Debbie—whose female consciousness was just awakening at the start of this summer—got angrier the more she looked.
After fuming for a bit, Debbie couldn't take it anymore. She jumped out of bed and started shoving the crib out the door.
After struggling for a while, Debbie successfully shoved the crib and Liam into Ian, Lip, and Carl's room. Satisfied, she went back to her room, locked the door, and felt much better.
In the boys' room.
Liam stood in the crib, still playing.
Carl, who woke up from the commotion, looked at Liam, then at Lip and Ian.
The tiny room was already cramped with three people, and now there was another.
Carl couldn't help but feel extremely irritated.
As he stewed in his irritation, Carl thought about the job starting tomorrow and the money he'd make, making him even more eager.
I need my own place! Carl thought silently, closing his eyes again, forcing himself to sleep with excitement for the job.
In the crib, Liam was still playing.
Blink of an eye.
Morning hit. Seven o'clock.
Carl woke up on his own, quickly got out of bed, dug out his best, hole-free clothes, changed, washed up, went downstairs, and headed out to find Mickey.
The rest of the Gallaghers were still dead asleep.
Stepping out the door, Carl grinned, feeling energetic.
Walked for about ten minutes.
Reached Mickey's house.
Bang~ bang~ bang~
About a minute later. Mickey opened the door, eyes heavy with sleep. Seeing Carl, he instantly got pissed. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Work," Carl said very seriously.
Mickey almost laughed from anger. "Do you know what fucking time it is? Piss off and wait at home."
Slam.
Mickey slammed the door shut ruthlessly.
Carl: "..."
Things weren't going exactly as planned.
Carl looked up at the sky. Sun was shining bright, it wasn't early.
Carl scratched his head, thought for a second, and decided to ask. "Mickey, what time do you start work?"
"Fuck off!" Mickey roared.
Deep down, Carl was actually a little scared of Mickey. Out of options, he reluctantly turned and headed back.
Seven-thirty.
Carl arrived back at his front door.
Since Bianca had to be at work by eight today, Dexter and Bianca were just heading out and saw him.
Seeing Carl dressed differently than usual, Dexter was a little surprised. "Carl, it's early. What are you doing standing outside?"
Carl, a little annoyed with Mickey, bluntly explained what happened. "Mickey isn't motivated at all."
Hearing that, Dexter couldn't help but laugh. "True. I'll rip into him later. You haven't had breakfast, right? Got some left in the kitchen, go finish it off for me."
After walking back and forth, Carl actually was a bit hungry. He broke into a bright smile. "Cool."
Answering, Carl headed toward Dexter's house. "You guys heading out?"
"Yeah, dropping Bianca off at work. Be back in a bit. Hang out at my place, do whatever," Dexter replied.
Carl looked at Bianca.
So when you have a girlfriend, you have to drop her off at work.
Carl nodded, feeling like he just learned something.
"We're heading out then. Hurry up and eat before it gets cold," Bianca said gently.
"Mhm, thanks," Carl thanked her, thinking Bianca was really nice, completely different from the people he used to know.
Dexter and Bianca didn't say anything else, got in the car, and headed to the hospital.
Carl walked into Dexter's house, immediately spotted Daijiu, smiled and said hey, then sprinted to the kitchen. Found the breakfast, grabbed the plate, sat obediently at the table, and started eating.
Naturally, the breakfast was a feast.
Carl ate happily.
---
Gallagher house.
Fiona got up, took off her pajamas, and while putting on her clothes, walked out of her room, knocking on doors one by one to wake Debbie and the others.
Reaching the boys' room, Fiona first noticed Liam, who was supposed to be in Debbie's room, and then realized Carl was missing.
Before long, naturally, the Gallagher house erupted into chaos.
Since Lip and Ian confirmed Carl came home last night, the mystery of Carl's disappearance was solved.
All that was left was the Liam situation.
Debbie was highly agitated about this. "Liam plays with his dick all day. I'm about to be a woman, he can't stay in my room!"
Lip and Ian protested in unison.
"Four guys in one room? No way!"
"Even refugee camps aren't this crowded!"
Debbie ignored them. "I don't care. Liam is absolutely not staying in my room anymore! I already moved him out, and I'm not letting him back in!"
Liam stood in the crib, still playing with his dick.
Definitely something wrong in that department.
Arguing first thing in the morning gave Fiona a massive headache. She rubbed her forehead. "Debbie, Lip and the other two share one room. You have your own room. Just let Liam go back..."
"No!!!" Debbie screamed instantly.
This summer, Debbie's inner bitch was starting to show.
"You have your own room too. Why don't you let Liam stay in yours?" Debbie yelled at Fiona.
Fiona had no counter, so she turned to Lip and Ian instead. "How about, until we figure something out, Liam stays in your room."
Debbie won the battle over Liam. A clear, smug smile appeared on her freckled face.
The argument ended for now.
The Gallaghers got busy, washing up and making breakfast.
In Frank's room.
Peggy, obviously woken up by the noise, heard every word of the argument. She couldn't stop shaking her head and sighing, feeling pathetic for Fiona and the others.
First-floor dining room.
Fiona finished making breakfast and checked the clock on the wall. "Where did Carl run off to? Why isn't he back yet? Did he really not say anything to you guys?"
Lip and the others shook their heads.
But then, Ian thought of a possibility. "Maybe he went to work."
Bam.
Hearing that, Fiona's expression changed instantly. Panicking, she instinctively pulled out her phone to call Mickey, only to realize she didn't have his number. Then she thought about calling Dexter.
But, thinking it over...
Fiona changed her mind, deciding to go to Dexter's house and talk to him face-to-face, to tell him not to give Carl a job.
"I'm going to talk to Dexter!" Having made up her mind, Fiona didn't waste a second. Dropping that line, she stormed over to Dexter's front door and started knocking.
Knock, knock, knock~
Carl hadn't finished his breakfast yet. Hearing the knock, he got up and opened the door.
The moment the door opened...
Fiona was instantly dumbfounded. "Carl, what are you doing here?"
"Eating breakfast, why?" Carl was totally calm. Genuinely calm, not faking it.
"You're asking me why? Why didn't you say anything when you left this morning? Why are you eating breakfast at Dexter's house?" Fiona's eyes went wide, firing off questions.
Carl stayed calm, briefly explaining what happened.
Hearing it, Fiona got even more panicked. "You can't go do that kind of stuff with Mickey! Getting mixed up with a guy like Mickey, nothing good will ever come of it!!"
Carl frowned, getting impatient. "It's a job! I want to make money, it's none of your business."
Fiona froze, not expecting Carl to say that. "Carl! I'm your sister, how is it none of my business!"
"It's my decision, my business, nothing to do with you," Carl replied with a stern expression and a firm tone. Then, remembering what Dexter said last night, he added, "Don't go looking for trouble with Dexter, or if I lose this job, I'm never letting it go!"
Hearing those words.
Fiona couldn't believe her ears. Instantly so furious she didn't even know what to say, forced into silence.
Carl waited few seconds. Seeing Fiona still quiet, he turned and walked away.
Breakfast was delicious, hadn't finished it yet.
Seeing Carl just walk off...
Fiona's temper flared up instantly.
"Carl!" Fiona yelled fiercely, chasing him inside.
Carl ignored her, sat at dining table, and kept eating.
Fiona sat across from him, fuming.
Right then.
Daijiu, who'd been sleeping on couch, jumped down. In flash, he was standing just off to Fiona's side, glaring at her fiercely and letting out low, threatening growl.
Hearing it, Fiona got little spooked.
Carl had never seen Daijiu react like this. Little surprised, he said, "Daijiu, stop."
Daijiu glanced at Carl, stopped growling, but didn't leave. Kept eyes locked on Fiona.
"What's wrong with this dog?" Interrupted by Daijiu, Fiona's anger cooled slightly. She asked Carl, confused.
"Probably doesn't like you," Carl answered casually, chewing his food.
"..." Fiona was speechless. Thought about it, brushed it off, and went back to nagging Carl.
Carl kept quiet, focused on breakfast. Looked like he was saying: nag all you want, if I listen, I lose.
Fiona nagged for long time. First talked about how dangerous shooting range was, how dangerous guns were, how he'd get hurt if he wasn't careful. Then brought up Mickey's criminal history. Talked until mouth went dry. Seeing Carl still not reacting...
"Carl," Fiona said, pissed off. "I'm begging you, don't do this. Just have fun this summer, don't worry about making money."
Hearing that, Carl finally spoke up. "I'm begging you too, shut up. I've made my decision. None of your business."
Fiona refused to give up.
Right then.
Debbie, who came looking for Fiona since she hadn't come back, stood at open front door and called out, "Fiona, you in there?"
Hearing her, Fiona answered instinctively, "Yeah."
Debbie stepped into house, looking around as she walked. Quickly reached Fiona and Carl. "Carl, what're you doing here?"
Up to this point, neither Fiona nor Debbie realized they were trespassing in private home.
If Dexter wanted to be dick about it, he could easily send Fiona right back to prison to enjoy good life.
"Eating breakfast," Carl replied impatiently. His relationship with Debbie was always like that—not terrible, but definitely not great.
"Why are you eating breakfast here?" Debbie asked, confused. Looking around, she couldn't help but feel jealous. "Place is gorgeous."
Hearing that, Carl's eyes shifted. He realized something. "You guys shouldn't be in here. Dexter might get pissed. Leave."
Hearing this.
"?????" Uncontrollably, Fiona's heart sank. Suddenly got feeling she was losing Carl, like Dexter was brainwashing him.
Feeling was terrifying.
Fiona couldn't accept that. Instantly panicked. "Carl, what is wrong with you? We're family..."
Before Fiona could finish, Carl, who'd polished off breakfast, stood up, quietly dropped plate in sink, and said coldly to Fiona and Debbie, "Let's go. We're all leaving."
Saying that, Carl led way out.
Fiona and Debbie had no choice but to follow.
Walking out, Debbie kept looking around. Place was just too nice. Right next door, but million times better than their house. She felt incredibly conflicted.
Outside Dexter's house, Carl waited at door. Once Fiona and Debbie stepped out, he reached out, pulled door shut, and finally headed back to Gallagher house.
Honestly.
This Carl felt like total stranger to both Fiona and Debbie. Fiona even felt like Carl was completely different person.
Debbie was shocked too.
Didn't take long. Three of them got back to Gallagher house.
In living room, argument about Carl naturally kicked off immediately.
Carl kept mouth shut, willpower solid as rock. Giving off pure 'fuck whatever you think' vibe.
Argument dragged on and on...
Ian, who originally had zero plans to get involved, finally couldn't take Fiona, Lip, and Debbie constantly talking shit about Mickey. He spoke up. "Enough. Mickey ain't same Mickey anymore. He's been keeping head down for over half year. Hasn't messed with anyone, just making honest money. What's wrong with Carl working for him?"
"Carl, go do it. I support you."
"????" Hearing that, Fiona instantly lost it. "Ian, what the hell is wrong with you? Guys like Mickey Milkovich never change! He's a thug. You support Carl working for him? Are you kidding me? You want to watch Carl ruin his life?"
Look at that. Such condescending bullshit.
Ian got little pissed too. "Fiona, do you really have right to look down on Mickey right now?"
Fiona: "????"
What the hell was going on today?
First Carl betrays Gallagher family, now Ian?
Why?
Fiona found it unbelievable. Brain buzzing, speechless.
Right then, Peggy slowly dragged her terminally ill body downstairs.
With all that yelling, Peggy heard everything perfectly. Knew exactly what was going on. Gave Fiona, Lip, and Debbie look of pure contempt. Gaze landed on Carl, who actually looked presentable today, and she smiled.
Peggy genuinely admired Carl's resolve.
Because of that admiration, Peggy—who originally just planned to coast through final days with family after getting out of prison—got new idea. Or rather, new expectation.
Peggy wanted to help Carl. Make him better. Make him different from Fiona and rest of these shameless fucks.
"Carl, looking sharp today," Peggy said with chuckle.
Carl looked back, gave cocky smirk. "Course. These are my best clothes."
"Guess I'll have to take you to buy some new ones when I got time," Peggy smiled. "As for job, take it. Grandma supports you too."
Fiona: "?????"
Motherfucker, again?
"Peggy, this is none of your business!" Fiona yelled frantically.
Peggy smiled, firing back without hesitation. "From what I heard, it ain't your business either. Fiona, Carl's got his own ideas. You trying to control him ain't good."
Ding.
Carl raised eyebrow, catching main point.
Control?
Fiona wants to control me?
Carl whipped head around, glaring at Fiona with hostile look.
---
Dexter got home, checked kitchen.
Fact that Carl ate breakfast but didn't wipe table or wash dishes was right there.
Dexter smiled, turned on faucet, washed dishes. Decided he'd find time to slowly guide Carl into doing this stuff.
Washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning up...
Carl's Path to Godhood: Starting with Small Stuff.
Book would probably be pretty good.
Dexter thought, having nothing better to do.