A Million Trillion Billion (What's Eating Gilbert Grape Fanfic) *ORIGINAL*

Chapter 23 - He's My Dad

I'm asked to go home that evening. Even though CCU (critical care unit) visitors hours are very flexible, the doctors say Arnie needs his rest.
I kiss him goodbye, and Gilbert, Becky and I get into the truck to drive home.
The plan is that we'll all go in the next morning, and then I'll go in myself in the evening.

Back at home, Amy and Ellen are shouting at each other.
"Woah, woah, woah, woah." Gilbert says. "What's going on in here?" He asks, his eyes darting between the two sisters.
"Amy's been working at a strip club!" Ellen says, staring at Amy with narrow eyes.
"Tell her she's crazy!" Amy looks at Gilbert.
"Ellen, where did you get that idea from?" Gilbert shakes his head at Ellen.
Leon sits on the couch, with his chin in his hands, looking very bored.
"Maybe we should listen to Ellen." Becky puts her hand on Gilbert's chest, speaking calmly.
Gilbert lets out an angry huff.
"Ellen. Say what you have to say." He says to her. "Forget it!" Ellen huffs, storming upstairs, Leon confusedly going after her.

Becky, Gilbert and I all turn our heads back towards Amy, who is with a look of guilt and shame across her face.
"Amy?" Gilbert asks. Amy quickly exchanges a glance with me, before answering, "It's true." She shrugs, with a sniff. "I only did it for the extra money. So we could put Arnie in the private room." She collapsed back onto the couch.
Gilbert takes a deep breath.
I can see how hard this is for him, especially after all that's happened.
He frowns, before taking his jacket from the hook next to the front door, and exiting the house.
Becky and I comfort Amy, as she cries in humiliation.

One hour later, Becky and I stand rigidly in the kitchen. I tap my fingers to the counter, whilst Becky chews on some peanuts.
"You know, things are so different, compared to the beginning of the year." I say, looking up at Becky, who raises her eyebrows. "Yeah, I mean, with you dropping your classes just to spend more time at the hospital, and Gilbert and I, and the book, and everything seems to have gone so fast." Becky says.
"I forgot all about the book, with everything being so insane and then Gilbert getting mad with me, and I think there's still tension there because of Jimmy, oh, I need to clear the air about Jimmy I feel horrible, and I really must talk to Leon and organise that, and Mr. Heath must be waiting for me to contact him on the progress of the book and-" "Janie." Becky interrupts me, putting her hand on top of mine. "Don worry, we'll sort it out. I forgive you for everything anyways, it's not your fault." She says.
"It's your birthday next week anyhow." She grins. I roll my eyes, "You didn't get me anything did you?"
"Of course I did, stupid! You're my best friend." She winks.

I walk down to the river later on, craving some alone time to think.
Throughout all the grapes have done for me, I still feel like I don't deserve it.
I pick up as flat stone, and toss it angrily into the river. It skips twice before sinking to the bottom.
I can't continue to lie to them about who I am, or what really happened in my past.
I feel so stupid, because I've grown so close to all of them that I don't know what I'd do without them.

***FLASHBACK***

"Where are you taking me!" I demand, trying to struggle out of his grip.
"Away." He mutters, lifelessly.
"What did I ever do to you?!" I scream, kicking him hard in the stomach.
"Argh!" He screeches in pain, "THAT'S IT!"

***FLASHBACK FINISHED***

I take off my shoes and dip my feet into the water, poking my toes out one by one, just like Uncle Dan and I used to do.

"Janie." Gilbert's voice comes from behind me. I turn around to see him standing there with a soft, yet broken look on his face.
"Come, sit." I tell him, patting the spot next to me.
"Look. I'm so sorry about all the tension there's been between us, and I just want you to know I couldn't have pushed through this is it weren't for you." Gilbert tells me, plonking down beside me.
Oh Gilbert, don't make this any harder than it has to be.
"Truth is, you and your family, you've helped me more than I could ever imagine. You gave me love, which I never really had much of ever. I never felt wanted as a kid, I always felt like I meant nothing to anyone, except my Uncle Dan.." I say.
"I feel there's something you should know about me, Gilbert."
"What's that, Janie?" He asks, his eyebrows knitting together.