The Gallagher house.
Lip fell asleep and started having nightmares. In the dream, he returned to the place Blackie took him to, time and time again, and then heard the terrifying gunshots, time and time again.
The gunshots, so close at hand, were like a nightmare haunting Lip, deeply imprinted in his mind.
So, even though he was asleep, Lip would twitch in fear from time to time.
This showed just how strong the impact of the previous events was on Lip.
God knows how much time passed.
His phone rang.
Mandy was calling, but Lip didn't hear it; he was still having nightmares.
12:00 PM.
Debbie walked out of her room, went downstairs, looked with complicated eyes at Frank, who was sitting on the sofa, pale-faced but smoking weed and looking quite comfortable. She didn't make a sound and just walked to the kitchen on her own.
Samantha had already made lunch.
Debbie saw it and didn't stand on ceremony. She silently served herself a plate, ate it quickly, and went out straight to the L train station, heading towards the juvenile detention center.
It was funny to say.
Just a few hours ago in the morning, Debbie was crying and cursing at Fiona for Frank's sake. But now, she wasn't even willing to think about Frank.
The change was just that drastic.
Time flew by.
Around 2:40 PM, Debbie arrived at the juvenile detention center. After waiting for a while, she walked into Dr. Miller's office, sat opposite Dr. Miller, and began another session of psychological therapy.
Inside Jimmy's newly rented house.
After finishing lunch, Fiona, who had almost nothing to do, pestered Jimmy for a round of fxxking. Afterward, she sat on the first-floor sofa watching TV.
Watching until now... interestingly enough, Fiona really was so bored she couldn't sit still, instinctively shifting around on the sofa.
Not long after.
Just shifting on the sofa wasn't enough. Fiona got up abruptly, started pacing, and glanced at the Gallagher house from time to time.
Such a calm life without any bullshit really didn't suit Fiona.
Fiona was getting irritable bit by bit.
Jimmy saw this. He thought for a moment and said, "If you want to go over there, just go. Don't pace back and forth here."
Hearing this, Fiona glared decisively. "I don't want to go over there!"
Jimmy smiled. "But you're obviously very agitated."
"I am not!" Fiona raised her volume and retorted.
Jimmy shook his head gently. "Your pacing is making me a bit annoyed."
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
"Nothing, I didn't say anything," Jimmy wasn't stupid; he was incredibly witty. "Anyway, sit down first and talk to me."
Fiona hesitated slightly and sat back on the sofa. "I just don't have anything to do, not used to it, that's all."
"Then find something to do," Jimmy replied with a smile.
"Do what?" Fiona asked back.
"Cultivate some hobbies. Do whatever you want to do," Jimmy said casually.
This stumped Fiona.
Besides fxxking, did Fiona have any other hobbies?
Really didn't... and honestly speaking, fxxking didn't even count as a hobby, but rather a way to vent.
"Even living is hard for me. What hobbies can I have?" Fiona instinctively made a snide remark. "Hobbies are for rich people."
Jimmy had long learned not to argue with Fiona because he knew he definitely couldn't win. He thought silently for a moment and got up nimbly. "Let's go. We'll go out to watch a movie, and after that, we'll go have dinner."
That would work.
"Alright," Fiona felt that going to watch a movie was better than being cooped up here anyway. She nodded in agreement. "Then I'll go take a shower, change clothes, and put on makeup."
"Take your time, no rush," Jimmy sat back on the sofa, smiling as he watched TV, waiting patiently.
Unknowingly, about forty minutes passed.
Fiona changed into the best clothes she owned, put on exquisite makeup, and even picked out a few pieces of cheap jewelry to wear before appearing in front of Jimmy.
Such a Fiona... how to put it? She was pretty, sure, but you could definitely tell she was a woman from a poor background.
Fortunately, Jimmy didn't care at all.
Soon, the two went out.
Before getting in the car, Fiona glanced at the Gallagher house again with complicated eyes.
---
The convenience store (Kash and Grab).
Linda, heavily pregnant, pushed open the door and walked in after many days.
Ian and Kash, who were chatting and laughing a second ago, instantly changed their expressions upon seeing Linda, wiping the smiles off their faces.
Kash even subconsciously turned his head away, daring not to look at Linda.
Linda was a very shrewd woman. Noticing Kash's reaction, she couldn't help but sneer coldly, feeling she was truly fxxking blind back then to choose such a spineless man!!
Linda didn't look much; she felt disgusted just by looking at him for a second longer. She walked straight to the counter, then, standing sideways to Ian and Kash, said coldly, "I told you before, don't make it too obvious!"
"Neighbors nearby are gossiping. Are you two fxxking dating here?"
"Kash, restrain yourself. If you make me lose face so I can't stay here, I won't be polite to you!"
"Did you hear me?"
Kash had long been very unhappy with Linda, but because of his cowardice, he always dared to be angry but not speak out. At this moment, hearing Linda's words, he nodded subconsciously. "Heard you."
Linda didn't waste words and beckoned to Ian. "Ian, the ledger."
Ian didn't like Linda treating Kash like this. Unfortunately, at this time, he really needed this job, so he had to suppress the urge to stand up for Kash and obediently did as told.
Spending about ten minutes, Linda checked the ledger thoroughly. Confirming there were no problems, she decisively lifted her feet and left.
Only when Linda completely disappeared did Kash let out a long sigh of relief, returning to normal. He smiled helplessly at Ian. "Sorry."
Ian felt quite sorry for Kash and shook his head gently. "It's okay."
Actually, it wasn't really okay.
Thinking of this, a clear look of desolation appeared on Ian's face.
Kash saw it clearly. He bit his lip, steeled his heart, walked two quick steps to Ian, and said softly, "Ian, I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you want, but Linda..."
Hearing this, Ian didn't let Kash finish. He shook his head simply again. "I don't want to talk about this. Stop talking."
"No, I want to talk, because I've thought about it for a long time," Kash had enough of Linda too. He didn't want to live this fake life anymore, didn't want to live in lies anymore. He went all out. "Ian, let's leave."
"I have some savings. Let's leave together, move to another city, and live together openly, okay?"
Hearing this, Ian's body shook. His eyes widened a lot as he looked at Kash, his heart fluttering with joy.
Ian looked at Kash affectionately, a happy smile slowly appearing on his face. "Okay."
Just that simple. Ian didn't think much and agreed.
A moment later.
"Then we have to get more money during this time, and then discuss together where to go... plan our future together," Kash said excitedly.
"Mm," Ian responded with a brilliant smile.
---
5:40 PM.
Jimmy took Fiona into Morton's Steakhouse and soon found his family.
Not long after, everyone was seated.
Jimmy introduced everyone. Knowing who was who, Fiona greeted them with quite generous manners.
Time flew by.
Throughout this dinner, apart from Jimmy's brother Chip being snarky, the atmosphere was generally harmonious.
Full of food and drink.
Jimmy and Fiona left the hotel, got in the car, and headed to the bar where Fiona worked.
In the car.
"Your parents seem pretty nice," having formally met Jimmy's family and seeing they didn't put on airs, Fiona was in a pretty good mood and asked with a smile.
"They're okay. There are times when they're hard to get along with too," Jimmy replied casually.
Fiona smiled. "Anyway, much better than my parents."
Hearing this, Jimmy really wanted to tell Fiona, 'Most parents are much better than yours,' but knowing he couldn't say such things, he said insincerely, "Not necessarily. Probably, no matter whose parents, there will be problems."
The two chatted idly for a few sentences.
Because she was in a good mood, Fiona pondered slightly and asked a question she had wanted to ask hours ago. "Are there any jobs suitable for me in Michigan?"
Jimmy quite liked Fiona asking this kind of question.
The reason was simple.
Asking this kind of question meant Fiona was more determined.
Jimmy smiled brilliantly and asked with a rather serious tone, "Fiona, it's just for a year. How about you don't work and go learn a skill? What do you think? We can both study."
"?????" Fiona was stunned. "Why learn a skill?"
Jimmy knew Fiona was sensitive about this and silently organized his words. "Learning a skill can help you find a stable job, get paid on time, have various benefits..."
Before Jimmy could finish, Fiona's expression dimmed rapidly. "I have a criminal record. I have no chance for the kind of job you're talking about."
Jimmy had actually forgotten about this. He was silent for a moment. "There are many smaller companies that don't check these things. Worst case, when you start, change your identity, just like Steve Wilton."
"That works too?" Fiona was surprised.
"Of course. I can help you get a new identity then, no problem," Jimmy replied with a smile. "Besides, with a skill you're good at, you have a chance to own your own business."
"I'll be a doctor later, with a good income. I can invest in you and let you be the boss."
This sounded very good. Fiona didn't reject such a future, only...
"Learning a skill feels very troublesome," Fiona frowned slightly and said sincerely.
Hearing this, Jimmy felt somewhat speechless.
After being speechless for two seconds, Jimmy said again with a good temper, "It is a bit troublesome, but it's worth it. You probably don't want to be a waitress forever, right?"
Fiona didn't rush to speak and started thinking silently.
The fact was, Fiona hated being a waitress and hated dealing with those damn customers. But at the same time, she liked the tips she received very much, or to be precise, she liked the tips she could easily receive just by serving drinks...
So, in Fiona's mind, the thought process became like this.
On one side, it was easy, serving drinks, and earning a lot of cash in one night.
On the other side, it was using her brain, studying hard, and in the end, not necessarily earning money. Even if she could earn, it might not be more than being a waitress at a bar.
Comparing the two, in Fiona's view, going to learn a skill was really a loss.
But, realistically...
Fiona also understood in her heart that she couldn't be a waitress all her life... having a skill was indeed quite necessary.
She thought for a long time.
Fiona gritted her teeth and spoke. "I can try. If it doesn't work, then forget it."
Look, haven't even started yet, and already preparing to quit.
If such a person could succeed, there was only one possibility: good luck. There was no other possibility.
"Okay," Jimmy smiled bitterly imperceptibly. What else could he say? He could only deal with it like this.
---
The Jackson House, past 10 PM.
The same thing happened again. Karen still didn't want to fxxk. Jody was helpless and thought of Sheila again.
This time, unlike last night.
This time, as a severe sex addict, Jody ultimately couldn't hold back. He deliberately wore only boxers, revealing his six-pack abs, and used the excuse of going downstairs to get water to wander into Sheila's line of sight.
Seeing Jody like this again, Sheila's heart beat faster instantly, and she was somewhat restless.
Jody walked to the kitchen, opened the fridge, deliberately searched slowly for a while before taking two bottles of water. Then, walking naturally to Sheila's side, he sat down. "Sheila, what are you watching?"
Sheila was truly too lonely. Hearing this, she swallowed subconsciously before replying, "Animal World. These animals, it's mating season."
Jody was amused. "Being an animal is pretty good too. Karen isn't feeling well lately and doesn't want to fxxk."
"..." Hearing this, logically, Sheila's heart beat even faster. Then, she said with a slightly seductive tone, "Then you must be having a hard time... your abs are really nice. Can I feel them?"
Jody nodded simply. "Of course."
Sheila reached out her hand.
Not long after.
Everything fell into place.
"Sorry, Sheila, I can't betray Karen, can't fxxk you," Jody whispered with a bottom line, "I can only let you give me a BJ at most."
"Okay," Sheila had no objection.
The two began to play just like that.
Unknowingly, it was done.
Jody was satisfied and went upstairs.
Sheila sat on the sofa with a fast heartbeat, her cheeks burning. Uncontrollably recalling what just happened, she felt she was crazy and incredibly regretful.