"Three key elements of a party: booze, food, music. We have music on our phones at home. Food..."
Shane scanned the shelves, grabbing family-sized bags of chips, a case of Budweiser, the biggest bottles of Coke and Sprite available, and of course, the essential tortilla chips and salsa for an American party.
"Why can't we buy that?" Carl pointed to some beautifully packaged imported beer in a nearby cooler.
"Because our budget is as small as Frank's conscience."
Shane deadpanned as he tossed a huge jug of cheap vodka into the cart.
"Besides, once everyone's drunk, nobody can tell the difference between a $5 bottle and a $50 bottle."
Carl seemed to understand but not really. His attention was quickly diverted by the toy aisle nearby.
Shane had to split his focus to watch him, preventing him from sneaking any "grenade-shaped lighters" or similar contraband into the cart.
At checkout, Shane pulled out his wallet (cash redeemed from the system, naturally) to pay. Carl acted like a little laborer, huffing and puffing as he stuffed items into shopping bags.
By the time they hauled their "loot" back home, the Chicago sky was turning gray.
Lip and Ian arrived almost right on their heels.
Lip was swinging a clear plastic box filled with sugar-dusted donuts.
"Here. Party dessert."
Lip tossed the box onto the dining table.
Ian followed behind him, carrying a large bag of assorted puffed snacks.
"Whoa! Donuts!"
Carl immediately abandoned the shopping bags he had been guarding and lunged for the sugar bombs.
Lip glanced at Shane, then at the standard "South Side Party Starter Pack" on the floor. He raised an eyebrow.
"Beer, vodka, chips... Looks like you didn't spend all your money on Karen."
Shane didn't bother bickering. As he stuffed the drinks into the fridge, he retorted:
"Better than someone who didn't hide his money well enough and let Frank steal it."
Hearing Shane's jab, Lip shrugged helplessly. "I was planning to move it the next day. Who knew Frank would come back in the middle of the night and toss the place?"
As they set up, the Gallagher living room began to transform.
Tables and chairs were pushed against the walls to clear space in the middle. A phone was connected to a Bluetooth speaker, blasting rock music. Snacks were poured into bowls with a satisfying crash.
...
Just as Shane tore open the last few bags of chips and dumped the salty, savory crisps into a bowl...
Bang!
The front door was kicked open.
"Gallaghers! Somebody help me! My fingers are about to break!"
Fiona's voice came from the doorway. She squeezed in sideways, balancing several foil trays in her arms, with plastic bags of meat and sauces hooked on her fingers.
Hearing the distress signal, everyone in the living room moved at once.
Ian, closest to the door, was the first to grab several large containers of marinated chicken wings and beef cubes from her.
"Jesus, Fiona. Did you rob a butcher shop?"
Lip cracked a joke but grabbed another heavy bag filled with hot dogs and burger patties from her hand.
Carl rushed over, trying to pry open the bags to see what was inside.
Shane put down the empty chip bag and walked over quickly to take the trays of pre-roasted chicken breasts from Fiona.
Relieved of her burden, Fiona finally shook out her fingers, which had red indentations from the heavy bags, and let out a long breath.
She took off her coat, threw it over a chair back, and scanned the partially transformed living room.
Furniture against the walls, loud music, a table full of snacks...
"Whoa... looks like you boys didn't totally slack off!"
Fiona walked to the table. "Alright, boys, don't just stand there!"
She clapped her hands, switching into Commander Mode.
"Lip, go preheat the oven! Ian, find a big platter and separate this meat! Shane, stop playing with the chips and come help me with the cheese and veggies! Carl... Carl, stay away from the raw meat! You can't eat that!"
Barking orders while efficiently tying on her apron, she started tearing open packages.
The somewhat chaotic prep work became orderly with Fiona back in charge.
Baking sheets were dragged out, foil ripped with a zip, chicken wings arranged neatly...
In the midst of this bustling activity, there was a knock at the front door.
Ian wiped his hands and went to open it.
It was V and Kev.
Kevin squeezed in, his booming voice instantly finding its place: "Hey! I was wondering why it smelled so good! The South Side's best party animals have arrived!"
He held up a case of what looked like premium craft beer and shouted: "Adding a little something to our 'Poor Man's Feast'!"
Spotting Shane busy with Fiona, Kevin strode over, wrapped a muscular arm around Shane's shoulder, and gave him a hearty shake.
"Good job, kid! Not often we see our Fiona home this early to prep for a party!"
Veronica, who came with Kevin, took off her coat first. She brought a very nice-looking fruit platter.
She exchanged a sisterly look and smile with Fiona, then walked over to Shane, bumping him lightly with her shoulder.
"Fiona says you've been different lately. What, finally decided to stop playing the silent Asian hottie and step up as the man of the house?"
Her teasing tone held encouragement. Among the chaotic Gallagher siblings, V had always felt Shane shared a quality with her.
She saw Shane as the overlooked "stabilizer" of the Gallagher family. Unlike Lip's outward brilliance or Fiona's sheer grit, Shane could always steady the ship in critical moments.
Seeing this "stabilizer" actively taking on family responsibilities now, V was genuinely happy for Fiona.
Shane felt the weight of her gaze. He forced a helpless smile, but before he could answer, another figure appeared at the door.
It was Karen.
Karen had dressed up carefully for tonight. Her long blonde hair draped over her shoulders, and she wore a sweet smile.
She was holding a large baking dish covered in foil, the aroma of some kind of meat sauce wafting from the edges.
"Hi... this is lasagna my mom made. She wanted me to bring it over for everyone to try."
Hearing Karen's voice, Fiona immediately looked up from the oven, her face lighting up with a warm smile: "Oh, Karen! Thank you so much, and thank Sheila for me!"
She directed, "Shane, what are you waiting for? Go get it!"
Lip let out a loud wolf whistle, and Ian gave a knowing grin.
Kevin joined the jeering loudly: "Whoa! Even the future mother-in-law's love meal has arrived! Shane, you player!"
Shane walked up to Karen, seeing her cheeks slightly flushed under the party lights, feeling the warm, noisy atmosphere building around them.
Just then, Carl popped out from some corner, holding the laser pointer head with the batteries removed. He announced loudly to Karen:
"Alert lifted! You are now on the safe list!"
The whole living room burst into laughter.
Shane gave a mock French military salute in surrender, and then, amidst the teasing laughter, he took the lasagna from Karen's hands.