kind of a badass//Carl Gallagher

1

"If you don't want to live with my goddamn rules then get the fuck out of my house!" My mother yelled at me from the kitchen. "What kind of mother makes their daughter go to work and give their check up so you can overdose three times a month?!" I fired back.

"Delilah! You know I don't overdose on purpose." She stepped out into view. Her Mohawk messy, bony cheeks shining in the dim kitchen light.

"But the high is more important than your health. We are lucky we haven't gotten thrown to the streets again because we owe ten months rent. Your sons,my siblings,were taken away for good today. But you dont give a shit because you didnt raise them! I did! Now they are off with their grandparents in Florida!" i had tears rolling down my bare cheeks i was so angry.

My brothers were sent off today. They are my half brothers so CPS sent them to their dad's parents house. "Jerry is in jail...you still just want to get high." i shook my head. I believed i was finally done. I had enough. "Then leave!" i nodded for a good minute. She stood there,tapping her foot. "Fuck you mom! I'm going to live with Uncle Kevin!" i ran to my room amd started packing before i could feel guilty. When i was finished i called my uncle. I only had but two suitcases and two boxes.

"She lost the boys for good?" He sounded upset after i explained everything. "Yes. They are with jerry's parents. Living good though." i assured him that they had a lot of money. "Well,let me wake and tell V. Then ill be on my way.takes 15 hours. Hang tight kiddo." i thanked him and then hung up.

I lay back in my bed that night, beginning to feel guilty for leaving my mother alone. That was, until i realized she did this to herself.

I woke up early, around 9, and started in with my everyday routine skipping the shower part since my mom hadnt paid the water bill. I put on thin eyeliner and some mascara, not needing foundation because i had clear skin. I straightened my long blonde locks. I threw on some skinny jeans, a white hoodie and some knock off converse. After calculating the time i realized my uncle wouldnt be here until noon, so i took the liberty in walking to the school and unenrolling.

The school understood my situation and in Amarillo, Texas the state considers you an adult at 17 so unenrollment was easy. since there was only a week left, and they already made graduation plans, they gave me my diploma. I am now a high school graduate.

It was almost noon by the time the process was finished, so i swiftly walked the 30 minute walk home. In front of my trailer home i saw my uncles car out front with my belongings already inside. "You are a mess Samantha!" I heard my uncle shouting. The house door was wide open and they were arguing so loud that you could hear them blocks away.

I walked inside. "That bitch is a trader to her own mother!" She moved to where she could look at me. "You think You're better than me, Delilah? Is that it? Well you aren't. I hope you choke on air and d-" My uncle cut her off before she could theoretically stab me in the heart. "I hope you come to your senses one day." He turned on his heels with a hand on my shoulder. AT that we left.

"Ready for this 15 hour ride?" He laughed as he pulled onto the highway. "Sorry about this, I really do appreciate it though. I'll pay rent. I know the last thing you need is a 17 year old along with your twins." He looked at me like I was insane. "We love you! Honestly we wanted custody of you for the longest time now. No worries. I work at a ga-great bar. you don't need to pay rent." I nodded. "How is V, Amy, and Gemma?"

Since we hadn't seen each other in years, we used the 15 hour car ride for catching up, until I fell asleep.

"Wakey, Wakey, Delilah." My uncle woke me up when he parked the car. "Home." He spoke, getting out of the car and brining my things inside. The two of us only took one trip to bring everything in. The moment I stepped in the door, however, I was greeted by a big hug from my beautiful chocolate skinned aunt. "Hi, V!" She let go of her strong grip. "I heard about everything! I'm so sorry. This is your home from now on. Let me take you to your room. Come on Kev." She led us up to a small room upstairs where we sat my things down on the bed, which took up most of the room. "The twins are asleep in our room so you can meet them in the morning." She hugged me again. "Ill go make dinner. Welcome to Chicago." She walked down the stairs. "I saw a man passed out on the sidewalk... is he okay?" I asked my uncle, who began helping me unpack and put things in the small closet and dressor with the tv on it.

"Oh yeah, that's Frank." He said nonchalantly. "Drunk. he only drinks one beer a day now with his new liver and all, but damn..." We laughed at that. "Lets hope you never meet him."

"DELI, Kev! Dinner!" V shouted from downstairs. This was an actual home which I had never lived in one before. I had to get used to it. It took only 10 minutes to unpack. "So since you are graduated without walking the stage, we will find some way to make at least that up to you." V stated, laying down a microwaved lasania on the table, sitting down with Uncle Kev and I. "You don't have to. " I smiled. It wasn't that big of a deal.

"Do you still smoke?" V asked, sitting on her back porch after dinner. I nodded. "Close the door behind you."
She laughed. I did as instructed. "I dont remember if Kev was cool with you smoking or not." she lit the joint. "Yeah he is. When you guys would come down to visit you would all smoke with me." i explained,taking the joint from V's hand. I puffed in and held it. Passing her the joint she shrugged. "I know about everything you went through... You raised your brothers, you babysat your own parents, been homeless, watched your parents die but come back. It must have been hell." i exhaled the smoke. "Yeah. But its life."

She puffed it again. "No... It shouldnt be that way." she shook her head. "You know what... You need to meet Fiona. You guys would get along well." she handed me the joint and went inside. She was only in there for a quick minute. "I just called her. Shes coming over now." i nodded. Curious of who Fiona was. The back gate opened and i saw a tall, curly brown hair, pretty woman walking up to the porch.

"Hey Fi! This is Kev's niece she is going to be living with us for now on." the woman shook my hand. "Delilah." i introduced myself. "Fiona." she sat next to V and i smiling. She took the joint from V. "So i think you two have a lot in common. Dont take her age too serious because she is more mature than Kevin." V laughed. "Oh yeah? What is that we have in common?"

"Well... Do you want to tell her?" V asked passing me the joint straight from fiona. "Sure." i then began explaining my whole life story. Ever since i was little i was raising my brothers, been homeless countless times and every little detail of my life.

"Holy shit! Its a mini mel!" Fiona spoke with a Chicago accent. "I told you." V laughed. "I probably shouldn't be smoking but i dont care anymore." Fiona took a hit of the joint.

"i should actually probably get back before someone burns the house down." she stood up And left.

"Well im going to get to sleep. You should too. Its been a long day for you." she hugged me and we went inside. "Mind if i take a shower in the morning?" she shook her head. "Of course not just lock the door." i then went to bed. This was a new beginning.

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Author's note

SO I realized that not many fan fictions on here about Carl, are based off of him at any time after middle school. So I took the liberty into writing one, even though the show has not reached this point of him being 17 yet. I had just finished season 7 but I am 17 and so is Ethan so it isn't like his looks will be off. I hope you enjoy. let me know your opinions in the comments. I honestly LOVE LOVE LOVE feedback, positive or negative, so I know how to improve on my writing to make it enjoyable for you guys.

Muah,

Delilah B.