Page 36 of Shameless

“Last year we had face painting, snow cones and games in the pool. Jenna is gonna love it. And Mom and Stefan miss her too.”

“I’ll think about it.” She says, but I’m not taking no for an answer.

“No, Jaz. You’ll come and Jenna is going to spend the night here all weekend. If you don’t do it, we’re going to have a problem. My lawyer got proof that all your accusations were false and that you’re a neglectful mother. Don’t let me drag you in front of the judge.”

In reality, I’m bluffing. I don’t know if Gordon got the proof we needed because I made this deal with Jasmine before he had the chance to work on it.

My tactic works this time though. My ex knows that if I were to press the matter in court, she could get in trouble for slander.

“Fine. But I want a car to and from the club. I get really tired these days and I don’t want to have to worry about driving myself.”

I’d give her a piggyback ride for the sake of seeing Jenna.

When Jasmine leaves exhaustion sets deep in my bones. I consider going back to bed, but I don’t think I could really get back to sleep. I feel tired but wired.

I step into the shower with the intention of going to eat breakfast with Mom and Tom. I’m sure they’re going to be as excited as I am about seeing Jenna next weekend, even if that means having to tolerate Jasmine’s presence.

It’s hard to contain my excitement about seeing Jenna and spending some real time with her. I missed my little girl so much and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive my ex for keeping my daughter away from me. She used Jenna as a pawn in her scheme to squeeze more money out of me, without a care in the world for how that would impact our little girl.

I let my negative feelings for my ex wash away with the last remnants of sleep and when I exit the shower, my mood has improved tenfold.

I’m not just excited about seeing Jenna. Part of my elation is because I also get to introduce Jenna to Lula. I know they’re going to love each other. Happiness for me includes both of them by my side, and all I have to do to make sure I’m on track to make that happen, is to honor the financial part of my agreement with Jasmine.

How I’ll do that with Eddie gone is the question.

I have no idea what will happen to the racing team. All I can hope is that we can find someone who will take it over and keep me on.

I should call Gordon Larson. He handled Grandpa’s affairs and knows the ins and outs of his will and the conditions of my trust fund. Maybe I could borrow from it or something, or use it to show the bank that if I take out a loan to pay my ex, eventually I’ll be good to repay it.

Anything to not revert to the status quo before Jasmine and I signed our agreement.

My hand is on the door handle, ready to head to the main house for breakfast, when my phone rings. It’s an unknown number and I almost let it go to voicemail, but at the last second, I decide to take the call.

“This is Janine Smith from Spencer and Spencer Law, am I speaking to Mr. Jules Cutler?”

I roll my eyes, ready to hang up if this is some kind of cold call to sell me whatever it is they’re trying to sell.

I must admit though, if the voice at the other end of the line belongs to a bot, technology must have finally figured out how to make an automated voice sound one hundred percent real.

“Speaking,” I answer, ready for this to turn into some kind of recorded marketing message.

I’m surprised when it doesn’t and I realize I’m actually on the phone with a human being.

“Mr. Cutler,” the woman says, her tone professional. “I’ve been asked by our senior partner Mr. Raymond Spencer to set up a meeting with you asap. What’s your earliest availability to come to our offices in Shell Cove?”

For a second, I wonder if Jasmine fired her lawyer and this is her new attorney. If this is the case, I don’t know why my ex accepted my invitation for next weekend.

There’s only one way to find out though. “Miss Smith, can I ask you what this is regarding? I don’t think I know your boss.”

The answer isn’t what I expected.

“Mr. Spencer is the executor of Mr. Eddie Branagh’s will. You’re one of the beneficiaries and my boss wishes to start putting everything in order sooner rather than later. So we’re trying to set up a meeting with all of Mr. Branagh’s heirs to kickstart the process. Also, let me take this opportunity to present my condolences for your loss.”

I thank her and we set up a meeting for later today. I don’t bother explaining to her that aside from the initial shock of how brutally Eddie was murdered, I’m fine.

I’m not being callous or anything, but Eddie hasn’t been a father to me in a decade.

Eleven-year-old Jules was the one who grieved the loss of his father. Even when Eddie was around, our relationship wasn’t warm or loving. Mom has done her best for us and Grandpa was always the father figure Eddie never was.

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