Page 68 of Shameless

Jules’s frown deepens. “Fuck, that’s true. I wish there was a way to take Jenna away from Jaz sooner rather than later. I don’t care what she does, as long as she doesn’t put my daughter in danger.”

Stefan chimes in. “Maybe there is a way. She’s at the bar drinking martinis, right? What if we collected evidence of her drinking while pregnant? Especially if she has more than one, we could see if Gordon can get a judge to grant you temporary custody or call CPS or whatever. Jasmine can say what she wants, but you’re right that drinking liquor is extremely irresponsible for an expecting mother.”

Jules clasps his little brother’s shoulder. “That isn’t the worst idea, Stef. But Jasmine wasn’t born yesterday. She could say it was just club soda or something like that.”

Stefan insists. “If she does, we could get an affidavit from as many of our staff who are willing to attest that she was actually drinking.”

“That could work,” Jules muses. “As long as we make sure Jasmine doesn’t know we’re watching her.”

“Leave it with me,” Stefan says. “You make sure Jenna has a fun day.”

15.Boo-Berries And Hot Dogs

Lula

Today the Country Club is at capacity, with every member eager to join the Fourth of July celebrations.

It’s a tradition in Star Cove for pretty much the entire town to come and watch the Club’s firework display. Tickets are sold to non members for that occasion and by the end of the night, the whole town will be at the beach.

As Jules goes in search of Arianna and Jenna and Stefan talks to every bartender in the club, Crew, Napoleon and I head to the main pool area to check out all the fun activities the club has to offer.

“I don’t know if I want a hot dog or an ice cream.” Crew muses.

“We should have both,” I say. “First we could have a hot dog and then ice cream.”

Woof.

Napoleon barks excitedly, wagging his tail at the mention of ice cream.

“Yeah buddy,” Crew chuckles. “Lula is very smart. We can get you a hot dog and some ice cream, you deserve a holiday treat too.”

Napoleon licks his whiskers in anticipation, his beady eyes shining as we walk toward the hot dog stand.

“Do you let him have ice cream?” I ask Crew. “I didn’t know if it’s ok to give it to dogs.”

“Not every day,” Crew shrugs. “But on special occasions, Napoleon is very partial to a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt. I get him the non-fat, no sugar added one and it’s ok for him.”

I smile, petting Napoleon’s head. “I love the way you spoil him.”

His blue eyes soften as he looks at his dog. “He deserves it. Could you ever believe that his previous owner kept him chained in the sun all day? He used to beat him if he barked too and yell all sorts of abuse at him.”

My heart hurts at the idea that poor Naps was treated that way. “Some people should go to jail and the key should be thrown away. Abusing an animal is just as bad as abusing a child.”

Talking about child abuse, my mother’s voice reaches me from behind.

“What are you wearing, child?” her tone is somewhere in the middle between disgusted and indignant.

I should probably walk away and refuse to engage with her, but it’s hard to forget years of harsh criticism.

I hate how my first instinct is to look down at my ripped jean cut-offs and the black tank that doesn’t hide the straps of the bikini I’m wearing underneath.

Years of living under Tiffany’s roof should have taught me that fighting with her is pointless and they definitely have; rather than arguing with her, I do something even more stupid, I justify myself.

“The club relaxes the dress code for today, except for the main restaurant. I have a change of clothes for later but I want to go swimming and on the jet-ski first.”

My fight or flight instinct is broken when it comes to my mother and I stand there for the inevitable rebuff that I know it’s coming.

“Do you know why your life is a dumpster fire?” Tiffany asks when I turn around to face her.

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