Page 119 of Shameless

Dad and I have the same question. “Why?”

“I guess it’s some kind of atonement? Even though she came between your father and I when we met in college, I did sleep with her husband. Besides, George Andrews is convinced that Tiffany and Howard knew everything and lied to give Evan an alibi. He’s been putting pressure on the cops to prosecute someone since Evan is gone.

Tiffany has been interrogated by the police multiple times for something she didn’t do and Howard didn’t help her pay for legal representation. I know Tiffany has a lot of flaws, but she isn’t a murderer. I just helped her with a plane ticket and some money to find a rental. She’s moving back to Texas.”

I hug her. Arianna doesn’t feel guilty for shooting Trevor, but she’ll have to live with killing Maura. She vowed to spend her life making amends for what happened on Twinberry Island. She has always been active in several charity committees, but since last summer, she’s ramped up her efforts by volunteering her time as well as her money.

“You’re nicer than I would have been in your shoes,” I admit. “I’m sorry but?—”

Dad hugs me. “Lula, we understand. No one blames you for not wanting your mother in your life.”

Arianna’s green eyes are full of the love and compassion I’ve never received from my own mother. “I helped her under one condition. She had to promise that she would leave you alone. We have an agreement that she’s not allowed to contact you unless you initiate it, Lula.”

I exhale, feeling relieved and guilty at the same time. “Does it make me a bad person if I don’t think I’ll ever want to see her or talk to her again?”

“Fuck, no.” Stefan enters the kitchen, coming to hug me. “Hey, Rikki just texted Tilly that he landed and he and Jules are leaving the airport now. So we have fifteen minutes tops before they’re here.”

“Awesome,” I beam, happy to concentrate on celebrating Jules, rather than thinking about my estranged mother. “Let’s get everyone to hide. I swear if Paris makes a noise before Jules is here, this is the last party she’s ever going to be invited to.”

Stefan smiles. “Don’t worry, Jumps. I’m gonna hide right next to her and make sure she doesn’t make a peep until it’s time to yell ‘surprise.’”

“Guys,” Tilly runs into the kitchen. “They just pulled up. Let’s go hide.”

Jules

“Sorry about that, dude,” I’m relieved when we’re in the safety of my car, away from the press.

Rikki chuckles. “Don’t sweat it, I understand. It doesn’t happen every day that your brother just smashed his own world record. I can’t believe you beat the one hundred and twenty miles per hour record you set in the Ozarks.”

“I love the praise but I’ll never get used to being in the spotlight this much,” I admit. “Besides, the credit should mostly go to Tory, she’s a genius. The new boat is even lighter and faster than the previous one but she never compromises on safety.”

He shudders. “I’m glad to hear that. We’ve all seen what can happen when you harness that kind of voltage in the water.”

I ignore his reference to Evan’s death.

Guilt churns my insides at the thought that we let Rikki believe that Tiffany’s stepson was responsible for Trevor, Eddie and Maura’s murders. The least people know the truth however, the better the chance to leave that horrible event in the past.

“But enough about me,” I say, as I reverse out of my parking spot. “How are things at MIT? I didn’t get to go to Harvard and I never got to experience the winters in Massachusetts.”

Rikki shivers. “Don’t remind me. We had almost a foot of snow last weekend and it was snowing when I left. But aside from the weather, I love the college.”

“Did you find a sponsor there?” I ask, worried that the stress of a demanding course load could tempt him to fall back into addiction.

“I did. But I’m fine, Jules, seriously. School keeps me occupied and when we have time off, London and I visit each other. Yale is only three hours away.”

We stop at a light. “I didn’t know you were still together.”

Rikki chuckles again. I’m glad he looks so relaxed and more comfortable in his own skin.

“We’re not exclusive. We love each other, but we both realized that we’re bi. So we decided to explore things outside of our relationship. College is about finding yourself after all, right? That’s what everyone says.”

I’m impressed by his mature approach. “As long as you’re safe and healthy, you know you always have my support. I don’t want you to get hurt if she meets someone.”

“We’re honest about it and we’re not going to put any limits on each other for now.” Rikki explains. “If either of us met someone else, we’re going to be happy as long as the other person is happy.”

I’m about to ask him if he’s excited to see Tilly, Crew and Napoleon, but my phone rings.

“Hey Gordon, I’m driving so you’re on speaker.” I warn him. “My brother is in the car with me though, so whatever you need to discuss is fine.”

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