Shameless AF: Dad of the Damn Multiverse

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Purity Ball



Chapter 39: The Purity Ball

They say you become like the company you keep. Officer Eddie has been dealing with 'Frank' for a long time. 'Frank' has been arrested countless times, so Eddie knows what kind of person he is.

Anyone associated with Frank can't be much better, so Eddie has a poor impression of John, Frank's friend.

During dinner, Eddie ignored John and didn't bother speaking with him.

However, John and Sheila had a pleasant conversation, discussing many things about Frank.

"The food is excellent," Eddie said, rolling a piece of beef in bread and taking a bite.

"I'm curious about the Purity Ball. What exactly happens there?" Frank asked.

"It's a Christian event to strengthen the bond between fathers and daughters. We establish a sacred covenant, a Purity Covenant, similar to taking vows. We exchange promise rings and say purity prayers. It's quite meaningful," Eddie explained.

"Doesn't sound like a dance. I thought it was more of a singing and dancing event, hahaha," Frank joked.

"It's not that kind of vulgar dance. This is a sacred ritual," Eddie frowned slightly.

Frank glanced at Karen, questioning whether she really wanted to attend this suspicious event. Karen smiled, unfazed by the minor inconvenience in exchange for a car.

Before heading to the ball, Eddie and Karen took a few happy photos together.

"So, Eddie and Sheila are married, Karen is their daughter, and they're not divorced. But Sheila lives with Frank, Eddie lives in the basement, and yet they can all sit down to dinner without fighting," John mused.

After dinner, John finally understood the complicated relationships in Sheila's household, leaving him bewildered.

John couldn't believe such a family dynamic existed. City folks really know how to live, he thought, though he couldn't quite grasp it.

"We're off," Eddie said as he and Karen left for the Purity Ball.

"Are you going out?" Sheila asked, cleaning dishes as she noticed Frank putting on his coat.

"Uh, I ran out of cigarettes. I'm going to buy a pack and will be back soon," Frank said, making up an excuse to leave.

With the men gone, it would've been polite for John, as a guest, to find a reason to leave, avoiding any impropriety. But John stayed, watching Frank leave with a flash of insight in his eyes.

"Here's some tea," Sheila said, offering John a cup with no concern.

"Thank you, ma'am. I'd like to ask about Frank recently," John said, seizing the opportunity to inquire about Frank without him present.

Sheila, seeing John was interested in Frank, shared what she knew without suspicion.

Meanwhile, Frank followed Eddie and Karen to a small church in the nearby neighborhood.

The Purity Ball had drawn a crowd, with at least a dozen father-daughter pairs dressed in suits and plain dresses, just like Eddie and Karen.

"Before we begin, I'd like to say a few words. We are proud of your commitment to purity. My daughter also participated, and though she's still single, her life is pure," said the pastor hosting the event.

"Pattie," the pastor called.

"Last year, I dated a boy from the choir. We only got intimate in the rehearsal hall, never outside. I let him touch me and take off my clothes," Pattie, the pastor's daughter, began her story.

"Once, I felt him touch my thigh. It was so awkward, I can't believe I let it happen. I'm sorry," Pattie confessed.

The so-called repentance involved confessing one's wrongs, similar to confessions in church to seek God's forgiveness and ease one's conscience.

Whether or not God exists or cares about these trivial matters, those confessing mainly seek psychological comfort, like talking to a tree hole.

Moreover, priests hearing confessions are bound by confidentiality, never revealing what's said, a basic tenet of their role.

Confessionals are small, intimate spaces where confessions occur, offering privacy and comfort for those repenting.

But the Purity Ball was different, requiring public confessions, where daughters admitted their 'wrongs' to their fathers before the audience.

This pressure is entirely different from the privacy of a confessional.

Aware of the potential awkwardness, the pastor had his daughter start the confessions to break the ice.

"Thank you, Pattie, for your courage in facing your inner struggles. I'm proud of you. Who's next?" the pastor encouraged.

"..." The girls looked around, hesitant to share their intimate stories.

"Karen?" the pastor called out to Karen.


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