Shameless AF: Dad of the Damn Multiverse

Chapter 38: John's Visit

"I was reading about the Purity Ball for fathers and daughters. It says, 'It can make you pure as a virgin again,' allowing you to start over. All you need to do is repent and vow to abstain, and you can rebuild the father-daughter relationship. Sounds good, doesn't it?" Officer Eddie asked.

"..." Karen stood silently in front of him.

"Do you want to go?" Eddie asked, hopeful.

"Move, you're in my way," Karen said, brushing past Eddie to grab a dinner knife.

"If you participate, all you need to do is confess your sins before the Lord to regain purity and be reborn," Eddie continued to persuade.

"..." Karen remained unresponsive.

"How about this: if you go, I'll give you my car," Eddie offered, pulling out the big guns. No teenager could resist the temptation of owning a car.

"Really?" Karen finally reacted, turning to look at Eddie, clearly intrigued.

"Of course," Eddie said, handing her the flyer.

The lure of the car was enough for Karen to agree to attend the Purity Ball, illustrating just how real her motives were.

The next day, when Frank visited Sheila's house, he immediately noticed a change in the atmosphere.

"Hillmark Channel is airing 'Touched by an Angel' this weekend," Eddie said, sipping coffee and reading a magazine.

"I've always liked that show," Sheila, who usually ignored Eddie, surprisingly chimed in.

"I like it too—except for that Irish lady. She's odd. Should I paint it?" Karen said.

"Paint?" Eddie was confused.

"I mean the car," Karen clarified.

"Oh, whatever you want, my little princess," Eddie said, hugging Karen.

Frank watched the harmonious scene with a puzzled expression. Just yesterday, they were at each other's throats.

Father and daughter left together, one to work and the other to school, with Karen surprisingly asking Eddie to drive her.

"What happened?" Frank asked Sheila, curious about the change in their attitude towards Eddie.

The morning scene seemed like a picture-perfect family, unlike the previous hostility. Something significant must have happened.

Frank soon learned about the Purity Ball.

The promise of a car convinced Karen to attend, indicating a willingness to mend her relationship with Eddie. This was a sign of reconciliation, and Sheila, loving her daughter dearly, softened her attitude towards Eddie.

For days, Eddie had been eating oatmeal, but today he had toast and warm eggs for the first time, though that was all.

"I made raspberry-filled Belgian waffles with maple syrup. Try them; I'm planning to make these for my stream," Sheila said eagerly.

"Mmm, delicious. Five-star chef quality," Frank said, enjoying the waffles.

"What is this Purity Ball?" Frank asked between bites.

"It's like a father-daughter dance where they chat. Here's the flyer he brought," Sheila said, handing it over.

Frank frowned at the flyer for the Purity Ball.

Despite its high-minded presentation—promoting family harmony and parental bonds—Frank saw through its true nature.

The Purity Ball was a repentance gathering, primarily for daughters. Fathers who felt their daughters were impure would bring them to confess publicly, aiming to restore them to a 'pure virgin' state.

To devout followers like Eddie, this was sacred, but to Frank, it seemed like a troubling, self-deceptive ritual.

"Tonight, huh?" Frank mused, eating another waffle.

When Eddie and Karen returned home, they prepared to attend the ball.

"Mom, where's my dress?" Karen called, running around in her underwear.

Eddie averted his gaze, frowning.

"Put your clothes on. You're a girl; act like it," Frank said without turning.

"Nah nah," Karen teased, making a face.

"Your dress is here," Sheila said, helping Karen get dressed.

"You look beautiful," Sheila said, holding her chest as she admired Karen in her pink dress.

"Absolutely stunning. I'm so proud of you," Eddie said, genuinely complimenting Karen as he took her hand.

"Alright, Eddie, you can join us for dinner before the ball," Sheila said, seeing the harmony between them.

"Really?" Eddie asked, surprised and pleased.

"Yes, and Frank won't mind," Sheila said, looking at Frank.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

"John?" Frank said, surprised to see him when he opened the door.

"I went to your place, and your kids said you were here. The family photo is ready," John said, handing Frank the photo he'd brought.

"Thanks, come on in. It's cold out there, but you'll need to take your shoes off," Frank said excitedly, taking the photo and tucking it into his wallet. He handed John a vacuum-sealed bag for his shoes.

"??" John looked puzzled, but Frank quickly explained.

"A friend of Frank's?" Sheila asked, coming over.

"Hello, ma'am," John greeted.

"This is Sheila, and that's Karen and Eddie," Frank introduced.

"It's my first time meeting a friend of Frank's. Have you eaten? We're about to have dinner. You're welcome to join us; I've made stew," Sheila offered warmly.

"I can already smell it. It must be delicious. I'd be honored," John said, seizing the opportunity.

"Let's eat together," Frank invited.

Dinner was pleasant, and the family, usually on the brink of discord, felt unexpectedly warm.

All this was thanks to the Purity Ball. Eddie was confident that attending would normalize his family to his ideals.

Perhaps then, he thought, he could get rid of Frank, whom he saw as a parasite.

As for John, Eddie paid him no mind, seeing him as a mere stranger—and a friend of Frank's, no less, which didn't bode well in Eddie's book.