Chapter 34: The Gift
Carl liked dangerous "toys." If you gave him anything else—like a toy gun or an action figure—he wouldn't care for it. In fact, he'd probably tear it apart within two days.
He had dismembered countless Captain America figures, taking them apart like it was his hobby.
That's why Frank, wanting to give Carl something he would enjoy but that wasn't too dangerous, thought long and hard before settling on a collapsible baton instead of something like a combat knife or dagger.
It turned out to be a great decision. Carl loved the baton and stopped sneaking into the kitchen to steal knives or grabbing the baseball bat at home. It was less threatening and more manageable—truly a win-win.
Otherwise, Frank genuinely feared that Carl might actually hurt someone, even at his young age.
Because Carl didn't just seem a little dim—he really wasn't very bright.
Frank didn't just play with the kids when he was with them.
What's the most important job of a parent?
That's right—helping the kids with their education!
Frank often tutored the children. Lip was a natural genius—Frank couldn't even understand the books he read. Ian wanted to join the military, so he was always training like a soldier and keeping up with his studies. Frank didn't need to worry about them and honestly couldn't help much anyway.
But Debbie and Carl were still in elementary school, at least by Chinese standards.
And tutoring elementary school homework? That Frank could handle. Especially since they attended a local public school, where the curriculum was... well, let's just say:
Carl's math homework involved basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The hardest problems dealt with fractions.
In China, kids learn this stuff in kindergarten. By elementary school, they're already doing algebra, calculating area, and solving logic problems like: "A swimming pool is being filled while also draining at the same time. How long will it take to fill the pool?" That's the kind of problem American students don't encounter until middle or even high school.
So for Debbie and Carl, Frank had no trouble helping with their studies.
Debbie was smart. She just hadn't had time to study before—she had always been focused on making money to help the family. Her grades had been mediocre at best. But recently, under Frank's guidance, she'd improved significantly.
Carl, on the other hand, was a disaster. He was almost ten years old and still couldn't do basic math properly. No matter how Frank tried, it was like talking to a wall.
Most of Frank's energy went into tutoring Carl, drilling him on the multiplication tables every single day.
"Fiona! Dad bought me a gift!" Debbie shouted excitedly as she hugged her new Barbie doll when Fiona returned home from work.
"I got one too!" Carl said happily, swinging his collapsible baton with glee.
"A gift?" Fiona was taken aback.
"This is for you," Frank said, handing her something as well.
"A gift for me too?" Fiona looked genuinely surprised. This was probably the first time Frank had ever bought presents for the kids.
Not just Fiona—Lip and Ian had gotten gifts too.
After paying off his credit card debt, Frank still had some money left. Enough to get everyone a little something.
"Quick! Crawl under the stick before he catches you!"
"Ah! Don't catch me—go catch Carl!"
The kids ran around the house, playing tag. Fiona, Veronica, and the others joined in. It was a simple game, but the joy was real. Laughter filled the home. For once, the house truly felt like a home.
"I remember we picked up an old piano somewhere." Frank sat down at the keyboard and began to play casually.
In his past life, Frank had never learned an instrument. But this Frank—this body's Frank—was once a top student at Northwestern University and had played piano beautifully. He had just given up on it after hitting rock bottom.
"I've known Frank for years and never knew he could play piano," Kevin said, surprised as he lounged on the sofa with a beer in hand.
"You're not the only one. I've known him for over twenty years and had no idea he could play—and so well too," Fiona added, equally shocked.
Frank played and sang cheerfully. This warm, happy family atmosphere was something he had yearned for all his life—in both his past and present ones.
"Didn't think Old Man Frank had this in him," Karen said. She was at Frank's house too, spending most of her time these days with Lip.
As she watched Frank at the piano, Karen's eyes sparkled. She remembered that her own family had a piano too—bought for her when she started learning as a child. She'd quit within six months, and it had become nothing more than a decorative piece. But now, knowing Frank could play, maybe he could play for her mom, Sheila, sometime.
The house was filled with singing and laughter as everyone joined in with Frank's playing.
Everyone except Lip.
He sat silently, expressionless, a quiet fury simmering beneath the surface—completely out of sync with the joyful atmosphere.
"I can't believe you're all buying into this. This is bullsh*t. Let's go, Karen. I'll walk you home," Lip said, suddenly standing up.
"No need. Frank's coming to stay at my place tonight. I'll just go with him," Karen replied.
"Leaving already? Alright then." Frank stood as well.
"See you at school tomorrow," Karen said, hugging Lip and kissing his cheek.
Once Frank and Karen left, Lip went straight upstairs to his room.
"What's with that hothead? Lately he's been acting like he's on edge all the time," Veronica remarked.
Lip had been acting strange recently. Everyone could tell his mood was constantly off.
"Hey," Fiona said softly as she walked into Lip's room. He was lying on his stomach, reading and working through math problems.
Because the house was cramped, Lip and Ian shared a room. Ian had the single bed, while Lip slept in the upper bunk, with a desk underneath.
"Something wrong?" Lip didn't look up.
"You've been acting different lately," Fiona said.
"I'm fine," Lip replied, scribbling equations in his notebook.
"Everyone can see something's bothering you," Fiona pressed.
The old Frank had never cared about his kids. Fiona had basically played the role of both father and mother. She had always been the one to handle the emotional well-being of her younger siblings.
She had been wanting to talk to Lip for a while now.
"People don't change. A dog's gonna eat sh*t no matter what. You know what Frank used to be like. And now? You've seen his act—he's probably just made another bet to quit drinking," Lip said coldly.
Like true siblings, Lip and Fiona were on the same page. Neither of them believed Frank's recent transformation was genuine. They both suspected it was just another bet.