Sunset. The sky ablaze in shades of red and purple.
Bianca snuggled into Dexter's arms, staring out at the breathtaking view over Lake Michigan, lost in thought.
Not far away.
Kevin, who had spent the day smoking several joints and doing a few bumps of coke, had his arm around Veronica. He watched Dexter and Bianca, grinning like an idiot.
Veronica, feeling a twinge of envy, poked Kevin. "What are you grinning at? When are you gonna get romantic like that with me?"
Kevin kept grinning. "No problem, leave it to me. I'll buy you a yacht too."
Veronica shook her head helplessly. "You've done too many drugs. Your brain is fried."
"Heh, maybe a little," Kevin chuckled dopey.
Veronica didn't bother responding.
On the other side.
Carl, still refusing to wipe the lipstick marks off his face, watched Dexter and Bianca. Though he was still young and didn't understand love, he silently took notes. He felt like he was learning something important.
Svetlana, having downed quite a few drinks, shook her head slightly. Watching Dexter and Bianca made her physically nauseous. She quickly looked away, cursing silently, Damn love.
Karen watched with a lonely expression, a mix of disdain and longing.
Mandy, the true romantic warrior at heart, gazed at them with pure aspiration, hoping one day she could have a love like that.
As for Ian and Mickey, the two lovebirds...
Heh.
Ian instinctively reached out to hold Mickey's hand.
Mickey almost sprinted away.
Time flew by. The party wound down, and everyone began to disembark.
Dexter, as usual, drove Bianca, Carl, Peg, Ian, and the dog back.
Ian wanted to ride back with Mickey, but with Mandy there, Mickey wouldn't have it.
"Ding, drop me and Carl off on the street. We need to buy furniture and appliances," Peg said, in a great mood now that her pain was gone.
Dexter smiled. "I'll drop you at the furniture store."
"Even better. Thanks," Peg replied.
At the entrance of the furniture store, Peg and Carl got out.
The remaining three continued on their way.
It didn't take long.
The car stopped curbside in front of 2118 North Wallace.
"Thanks, Ding. I'll think about your offer," Ian said before getting out.
"Yeah," Dexter replied. "Don't be stupid."
Ian's expression shifted slightly. He nodded, didn't say anything else, and got out, heading straight for the Gallagher house.
Should he accept Ding's offer?
Ian wasn't sure yet. But he was sure about one thing: he wouldn't discuss it with Lip or Fiona. He'd make this decision himself.
Ian walked quickly, entering the house in a blink.
Then, seeing Steve helping out in the kitchen, Ian froze.
Steve smiled and greeted him. "Ian."
Ian snapped out of it, marveling at what a glutton for punishment Steve was. To be cheated on by Fiona and still show up here, looking like they were back together...
Balls of steel.
"Steve," Ian thought, amused. He replied, then without another word, turned to head upstairs.
"Ian, wait. Where's Carl?" Fiona called out urgently, clinging to a shred of hope that Carl had changed his mind.
Ian knew exactly what answer Fiona wanted. Unfortunately, he couldn't give it. "Peg took Carl to the furniture store. They're probably buying stuff right now."
The last shred of hope shattered.
Fiona's face fell instantly. "Why didn't you stop him?"
"Why should I?" Ian retorted.
Fiona already knew Ian's stance from that morning. She sighed helplessly. "Forget it. Frank's back. He's in the living room saying he's dying. Go check on him."
"Not my problem," Ian answered without a moment's hesitation, brutally succinct.
Fiona's face twisted in pain. She hated seeing the Gallagher family fall apart like this. She couldn't help but plead, "He's still your dad..."
"I'll be down for dinner later." Ian didn't bother arguing. He cut Fiona off and bounded up the stairs.
Passing the living room, Ian glanced at Frank on the couch and the frantic-looking Debbie. One look, and he looked away, stomping upstairs.
Debbie had heard Ian and Fiona's conversation but refused to give up. She called out weakly, "Ian..."
Ian ignored her.
"Debbie, forget it. That kid's an ingrate. I never expected anything from him," Frank said to Debbie.
Debbie was heartbroken.
Why did the Gallagher house have to turn out like this? Family didn't feel like family anymore.
---
Dusk settled in.
Lip drove the ice cream truck into the backyard, wrapping up his busy day.
He entered the house, and within moments, heard about the Frank situation from Fiona—who, during this period, really lacked a spine of her own.
Listening to her, Lip pulled out a cigarette, lit it, glanced at Frank in the living room, then smiled at Fiona. "Don't worry. He's definitely faking it. Let him fake it. Ignore him."
Fiona wasn't sure. She frowned, worry creeping into her voice. "It doesn't look fake this time. He really can barely walk. He shuffles like those old people on death's door."
Lip exhaled a cloud of smoke. "So?"
Fiona couldn't completely ignore Frank. Even after years of abuse, neglect, and being dragged down into the mud by him...
This inability to let go was honestly pathetic.
But...
Family, right? It's so important. Heh.
"So, we can't just do nothing," Fiona whispered.
"We can," Lip said calmly. "We haven't kicked him out. That's enough."
His voice carried.
Frank, who had been eavesdropping from the living room, suddenly found his voice and yelled, "This is my house! I lived here before you ungrateful little shits were even born! You have no right to kick me out!"
Hearing this, Lip sneered and turned to Fiona. "Doesn't sound like he's dying to me."
With that, Lip walked away and went upstairs.
Fiona was exhausted. She didn't know what to do.
To the side, Steve watched the show silently, not getting involved, not saying a word. But inside, he was quite pleased.
Carl was moving out.
Frank was dying.
The Gallagher situation was looking grim.
This was good.
Maybe Fiona would finally see the light.
---
Storms always come in waves.
Around eight in the evening.
Having bought some basic furniture and appliances, Peg and Carl returned to the Gallagher house.
Fiona had left for work. Lip went to go fk Karen. Ian went to go fk Mickey. Steve went back to the Ritz, back to Estefania.
The only ones left in the house were Debbie, Frank, and Liam.
Peg and Carl walked in, seeing Debbie and Frank.
Carl, too excited to speak, bolted upstairs to pack for his new home.
Peg wasn't in a rush. She glared viciously at the pathetic heap that was Frank and sneered coldly. " originally, if you had taken good care of me, I would have left some of that money for you. Now? You won't see a dime."
Frank: "!!!!"
That was money!
Frank panicked instantly, scrambling to suck up to Peg. "Mom, Mom, I was wrong, don't be like that..."
Peg ignored him, feeling great as she walked upstairs.
Just then.
Carl discovered that a lot of his stuff had been destroyed...
Carl might be slow, but in that moment, he knew exactly who did it.
And so.
"DEBBIE!!!!"
Carl was furious. Holding two pieces of his broken belongings, he stormed downstairs, rushed right up to Debbie's face, and roared in rage.