Many children bring happiness, a shameless start

"Frank, tell me something!" Lip said, a cold smile on his face that made Frank squirm. "How much did you overdraft from these cards?"

"Uh… it was about fifteen hundred or eighteen hundred—I can't quite remember. But it wasn't two thousand!" Frank scratched his head nervously. "Oh, and I haven't touched Carl's card yet."

"Frank, I'll verify that later. If the numbers don't match up, you're going to jail," Lip said sharply. "Now tell me, how do you plan to repay the $1,800 you owe?"

"I can't pay that much all at once!" Frank was near tears. "What if I pay it back in installments?"

"In installments? How?"

"I'll start this month—two hundred dollars a month until it's all repaid," Frank suggested timidly.

"Haha, two hundred dollars?" Lip sneered. "Frank, you'd take nearly a year to repay, and you're still lying."

"Lying? I haven't lied to you!" Frank protested indignantly.

"Yesterday was the 27th—the last Friday in November," Lip said, pulling out an envelope containing a check. "I happened to see your disability subsidy check from the Chicago government—it's for $800. Care to explain?"

"I… I… I forgot all about that!" Frank stammered, looking flustered. "Oh, damn it! I knew I was forgetting something important."

"Frank, you're just upset you couldn't deceive me," Lip said coolly. "But I guess someone's bar tab at Alibi this month will have to go unpaid."

"Lip, let's split it 50-50, okay?" Frank pleaded.

Lip shook his head.

"Three hundred, then?" Frank tried again.

Lip remained firm.

"Brat! If I don't sign, you won't get a penny!" Frank snapped.

"I don't care," Lip replied calmly. "If it comes to it, I'll report everything. Once it's investigated, our credit will be restored—but you'll face prison time and hefty fines."

Panicking, Frank lunged for the check, but Lip kicked him back to the floor.

"I'll leave you with two hundred dollars a month," Lip said, his tone ice-cold.

"Fine! Whatever you say!" Frank grumbled sarcastically.

Lip opened the envelope, pulled out the check, and placed it on the pool table, leaving only the signature line exposed. He handed Frank a pen.

Frank didn't dare resist but still hesitated. Lip and the others remained vigilant, giving him no chance to snatch the check. Left with no choice, Frank leaned over and signed his name.

"This good enough for you?" Frank asked nervously, his tone almost pleading.

"It'll do," Lip replied. Then he added with a smirk, "Oh, by the way, your room is mine now. Any objections?"

"No! No! Just go! Get out of my sight—I don't want to see you again!" Frank snapped, clutching his chest as though the stress was suffocating him. He stumbled toward the bar.

"Beer! Get me a beer!" Frank shouted.

"Settle your tab first," Kevin replied, arms crossed.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Frank groaned.

Ignoring Frank's outburst, Lip pocketed the check and credit cards, then left with Ian, Debbie, and Carl without looking back.

At the nearest bank, Lip cashed the check, keeping $600 for himself and giving $200 to Frank. Then, he treated his siblings to KFC for a hearty meal. Afterward, he took them to a budget-friendly clothing store Karen had shown him and bought each of them three new outfits.

"I'll hold onto the remaining $432," Lip said. "If you need anything, just ask. Understand?"

"Why not split it equally?" Carl asked.

"You little rascal," Lip chuckled, ruffling Carl's hair. "If I gave it to you now, you'd blow it all in one night and come crying to me."

"Hehe, true. Can you keep my credit card too?" Carl grinned.

"Sure."

"And mine," Debbie added.

"Alright, I'll keep yours too," Lip agreed.

Through the day's events, Lip realized he'd earned immense respect and trust from his siblings. They looked at him with newfound admiration.

"Still, let's check the credit card balances," Ian reminded him.

"Right."

The four of them visited the credit card center, where a staff member confirmed the cards were applied for illegally by Frank. The limits were relatively low, but the overdrafts were significant:

Carl's card had no overdraft.

Debbie's card was overdrawn by $300.

Ian's card was overdrawn by $600.

Lip's card was overdrawn by $1,000.

In total, Frank had overdrawn $1,900—nearly five months' worth of living expenses for the entire family.