Later that night, around 10 p.m.
Fiona had pretty much gotten everything out of her system and was ready to head back.
Jimmy suggested, "It's late. How about I drive you ladies home?"
Veronica knew about Fiona and Jimmy hooking up, and her feelings were complicated, but she couldn't really say anything. After all, it was Fiona's life; it was her business who she slept with.
So, she kept quiet and waited for Fiona to decide.
Fiona was pretty wiped out after all the dancing, the hookup, and the drinks. She didn't want to mess with the El for the ride home. After a brief hesitation, she nodded and agreed. "That would be great, thanks."
Jimmy smiled. "My pleasure."
The three didn't waste any time. They left the bar and got into Jimmy's BMW.
The car quickly headed towards Wallace Street.
Right as they pulled up to the Gallagher house, Carl happened to be wheeling Frank out.
Frank saw Jimmy attentively open the car door for Fiona. As she stepped out, Frank grinned, giving her a silent thumbs-up of approval.
Fiona saw Frank's gesture and looked a little uncomfortable, but she quickly ignored him. She smiled at Jimmy. "Thanks, Steve. Drive safe on your way back."
Jimmy, who was calling himself Steve, saw Frank. He smiled thinly at Fiona and didn't say much. "Will do. See you around."
With that, Jimmy turned to say goodbye to Veronica, who had also just gotten out of the car. "See you around."
Veronica nodded slightly.
Jimmy got back in the car, hit the gas, and took off.
Veronica glanced at Frank, knowing it would be a struggle for Fiona and Carl to get him inside. She pitched in and helped Fiona.
When they were done, Veronica hesitated for a moment. She didn't bring up Dexter or the job, just said, "I'm heading back," and left the Gallagher house.
Fiona and Carl settled Frank onto the couch, then went upstairs.
Fiona didn't go straight to her room. She followed Carl to his, intending to talk to Lip calmly about Dexter.
She didn't expect Lip to be gone, with only Ian there.
"Ian, where's Lip?" Fiona frowned, already guessing the answer but wanting to be sure.
Ian looked helpless. He didn't want to lie. "He's probably at Karen's. They left school together after class."
Just as she thought.
Fiona's heart sank, and a lot of the alcohol wore off. She instinctively wanted to call Lip and tell him to come home, but remembering last night's fight, she figured pushing him again would only make the conversation harder.
After thinking it over, Fiona fought the urge to call and decided to wait downstairs.
"Got it. You two get some rest; you have school tomorrow," Fiona told Ian and Carl.
Carl couldn't be bothered with Fiona and Lip's drama and just crashed onto his bed.
Ian spoke up. "Fiona, Lip will come around. He's just being hot-headed right now. Don't worry too much."
Fiona offered a weak smile. "I hope so."
She said no more, turned, and went downstairs, waiting patiently for Lip.
She waited for about an hour.
Around 11 p.m., Lip, who had enjoyed several rounds of fun at Karen's house, finally returned.
He walked into the living room and immediately saw Fiona, clearly waiting for him. A look of annoyance crossed his face.
He shot Fiona a disgruntled look and went to walk straight upstairs without a word.
"Lip, sit down for a minute. We need to talk this through," Fiona said, forcing herself to take the initiative.
Lip stopped. He didn't move—he neither sat down nor went upstairs—he just stood there. "There's nothing to talk about."
Fiona knew Lip's personality and didn't insist he sit. She spoke weakly, "I went and talked to Dexter this morning."
"He told me that if something like last night happens again, he won't be easy on you."
Lip immediately scoffed, annoyed. "Ha. Let him come! This is the South Side. He's an outsider. I'd like to see what he can do to me!"
Fiona had anticipated Lip's reaction before speaking, yet hearing his words now only made her feel more powerless.
Exhausted by the powerlessness, Fiona felt worn out. "Lip, you're not a kid anymore. What's the point of this childish talk?"
"You yourself said Dexter isn't some simple person."
"And he has a lot of money."
"Do you really think you can go up against him? You're smart. Don't you actually understand this simple truth?"
Lip disliked rich people. "So what if he has money? He could be the richest guy in the world, and I could still mess with him in this neighborhood!"
Hearing that, Fiona felt a profound sadness. She had a genuine urge to just give up and stop caring.
However, an urge was just an urge.
Fiona took a deep breath. "What will it take for you to stop bothering him? Do I have to give up the job?"
"If that's what it takes, fine. I won't take the job. I'll go back to working part-time."
Fiona was practically begging.
Looking at Fiona like that, sensing the desperation in her voice...
Lip paused. He finally dropped the annoyed expression and shifted, sitting down across from Fiona. His tone softened slightly. "Fiona, you have to believe me. That Dexter guy is definitely up to no good."
"Working for him is a bad idea—for you and for the Gallaghers."
"You might not be able to accept what I'm saying."
"But the truth is, I am looking out for you. You'll have to give up a lot for that little bit of cash. You're just blinded by the money and can't see it yet..."
Fiona was too tired to listen to any of that nonsense. She cut Lip off before he could finish, asking again, "If I don't take the job, will you stop bothering him?"
Lip was silent for two seconds. "Yes."
Although he knew saying this would hurt Fiona and break her heart, Lip firmly believed it was the right thing to do.
After getting a firm answer, "I see," Fiona suddenly smiled. She stood up and walked straight upstairs. As she walked, tears streamed down her face, silently falling.
Lip remained seated, watching Fiona's retreating back. His brows slowly furrowed as he sank into thought.
---
A new day.
In the early morning, Steve (Jimmy) knocked on the Gallagher's front door with four cups of coffee and two bags of donuts and other breakfast goodies.
Around 9 a.m., Dexter woke up and cleaned up. He checked his phone.
Fiona hadn't called.
So, in the end, are the Gallaghers truly unable to escape the curse of self-destruction?
Crowdfunding – Should Fiona take the job at Dexter's restaurant?
I know how to write the story whether she takes it or not. The question is, what do you, the bosses, think?