Shameless AF: Dad of the Damn Multiverse

Chapter 58: The Funeral

After Officer Eddie left, Frank returned home, only to be immediately approached by Carl with a book.

"We'll read the book later, but first, we need to talk about your behavior at school," Frank said.

He gathered Fiona, Lip, and Ian to have a family discussion with Carl.

"Carl, we're serious. This is a big issue. You need to stop biting, hitting, and hurting others. Control yourself," they collectively urged.

"So how do I make them cry instead?" Carl asked.

This left Frank momentarily speechless.

"Spread rumors, slander them, turn them against each other," Lip suggested.

Frank gave Lip a look, thinking it was inappropriate to instill such ideas in a child.

"How about this: we'll get you some pads and skates so you can play hockey. You can vent your energy there. It's more aggressive than football, but you won't get in trouble; you'll get cheers instead," Lip proposed.

"I can teach you some kung fu or jiu-jitsu. Remember when I broke Kyle's leg? It took three pins to fix it," Ian added.

Jiu-jitsu and joint techniques are good ways to restrain children from violence—painful but not too harmful, everyone contributed their ideas.

"Okay," Carl finally agreed, seeing everyone's determination.

Carl had many flaws, but he was firm on his promises. If he agreed, he would do it and control his actions.

Of course, expecting him to completely change and never bully again was unrealistic. But he would tone it down, avoiding anything severe enough to cause expulsion.

"Alright, enough of the unpleasant topics. Dad's going to read you a story now," Frank said, sitting on the couch with Carl on his lap. Debbie joined, holding Liam.

The next morning, Frank dressed formally for Officer Eddie's funeral. Although Eddie was off duty when murdered, the circumstances, including the complex environment of the Southside, led to it being classified as a line-of-duty death.

Police carried the flag-draped casket, and there were ceremonial guns. Eddie, being a devout Christian, had many fellow believers in attendance for prayers.

Typically, family members are present at funerals, but Sheila couldn't leave the house, and Karen held only hatred for Eddie. Thus, no immediate family attended, only distant relatives.

As the casket was lowered, attendees said their final words and threw a handful of dirt into the grave as a farewell.

Frank didn't approach, knowing the casket contained a monster's remains, not Eddie's.

The real Eddie wasn't at the funeral. Early that morning, he left Chicago with John and Dean, without a word, taking Gingy's bones with them, as they had ways to handle unidentified remains.

The funeral concluded in under an hour.

Afterwards, Frank visited Sheila. She had moved past the grief of Eddie's death, engrossed in watching Karen's praise at the parent-teacher meeting replayed on TV.

"That's my daughter's teacher," Sheila said while live-streaming, interacting with her audience.

"She's watched it over a dozen times," Karen told Frank.

"Look, that's my precious girl," Sheila said, pointing the camera at Karen.

"Mom," Karen said, shyly avoiding the camera.

"She's so pretty and sweet," read the scrolling compliments on the screen.

Seeing Sheila moving forward, Frank felt relieved.

After the funeral, Karen visited Eddie's grave alone. Seeing no one around, she crouched and relieved herself on the headstone.

"F*** you!" she spat, flipping the bird at the grave before walking away, feeling some satisfaction.

However, matters concerning Eddie weren't over. As a full-time officer with years of service, Eddie's death entitled his family to government benefits, insurance, pension, and inheritance.

Handling these financial matters required legal contact, paperwork, and documentation.

With Sheila unable to leave home and Karen not yet an adult, they needed a responsible figure to manage these affairs.

Normally, distant relatives or a proxy lawyer could handle the inheritance, but Karen mistrusted the relatives.

Uncles and aunts seizing family assets is common worldwide. Given the substantial money involved, Eddie's years of service and line-of-duty death meant considerable benefits.

Even middle-class families would covet such funds, let alone poorer ones, and many would exploit a vulnerable widow and her child.

Hiring a lawyer is costly, with fees often charged by the hour.

Therefore, Karen preferred Frank, who had no blood relation, to manage the inheritance. Sheila agreed.

Frank handled the inheritance but involved Karen in every step, ensuring she knew the amounts and flow of money.

Money tempts, and Frank's family was struggling financially. The sight of such sums, coupled with "Frank's" subconscious influence, stirred thoughts of taking it all.

He rationalized it: he had no ties to Sheila or Karen, and Fiona and the others were his real family. The money would be better spent on them, he thought.

Such thoughts were "Frank's" subconscious at work.

Frank involved Karen in the process to educate her about the family's finances and keep himself in check, fearing he might lose control.