Sorry for the delay, once again.

Lip Balm

…

He couldn't do it. Gilbert couldn't bring himself to knock on that battered, splintering door and put on a smile and say hello. Hello. How are you? Wonderful. Need any help around the house? Why I left Endora? I..don't know. Why didn't you leave Endora? Why I'm back? Because I wanted to come back. Why? Because I'm not happy. I'm not happy. So, what's for dinner?

And so he didn't knock.

Instead, Gilbert stood dumbly on the doorstep until Arnie hopped out of the RV with Becky's hand in his and thumped on the chipping board of wood with a grimy fist.

The door swung open and all Gilbert could manage was a meek, "Hello." And then he promptly shut his mouth before saying something like, "You look like you've aged 30 years, Amy." Or "You look like a clown with that make up on, Ellen."

Becky smiled politely as Amy and Ellen rushed to Arnie, encircling their arms around them and kissing his cheeks, never mind the dirt. Arnie hugged them back with the same enthusiasm, jumping quickly into the house and scaring away a brown spotted dog.

Gilbert shifted his weight uncomfortably. "It hasn't changed much." He said softly.

"What hasn't?"

There was a pause. "Endora." Becky slipped her hand into Gilbert's and looked up at him. He looked exhausted and old, as if he had the world on his shoulders and was sagging underneath all the weight.

"God, what a surprise," Amy said with a cheerful smile. "But we're glad you're here. You too Becky. Arnie's grown so much." Her lips were stretched into a large, silly grin. "God, what a surprise."

She led them to the shabby living room where they sat in the sunken couch. The walls were slightly discolored, the furniture scruffy and mismatched, the floorboards covered in tacky rugs and the lights dim and yellow. He could hear Ellen and Arnie laugh loudly to a television show.

Looks just like home. Gilbert thought silently. Great. Becky brushed away a lock of auburn hair from his cheek and planted a kiss at the base of his neck. Gilbert smiled and squeezed her hand. God she's beautiful.

A barrel shaped man suddenly walked into the living room. His arms were large and thick, his legs like tree trunks and his hair was untamed and wild.

"Hello," He said, before flicking off a piece of unidentified food from his flannel shirt. "You must be Gilbert. My name is Chad Mellin."

Chad extended a brawny hand and shook Gilbert's vigorously. Becky grinned courteously, Chad beamed with picket fence teeth and Gilbert massaged his aching hand with a thin lipped smile.

---

Chad was Amy's husband. And he was a construction worker who helped build Food Land, something he seemed rather proud of. Gilbert watched him masticate his food, scrutinizing over his powerful jaw mutilate a string bean or some ham. Becky seemed to be doing the same thing, only Arnie was more interested in the floral pattern of the tablecloth.

"I'm Amy Mellin now," Amy said, spooning another scoop of mashed potatoes onto Arnie's plate. She laughed shrilly as Ellen rolled her eyes. "Get it? Amy Grape. Amy Mellin?"

Gilbert smiled weakly, not knowing what to say. What's there to say? Amy Mellin? Swell.

Instead he forced a bitter laugh. "Amy Mellin," He repeated, as if mulling over a witty joke. "Amy Mellin."

Gilbert continued to watch Chad chew on his food, wondering if vegetables lived better lives than he did.

…

"A party?" Amy asked in a hushed whisper. "For Arnie? That's a great idea." She seemed excited, as if that were the most interesting thing that had happened since many years. Perhaps it was. Perhaps her wedding happened while the whole world was asleep. Amy began to scribble furiously onto a napkin.

Gilbert and Becky nodded, "We'll help with everything. Just let us know."

"Hmm? Sure, sure." Amy's eyes still stood fixated on her rapidly moving pencil. "Give me a minute." Gilbert stared down at the napkin, she was already writing down a cake recipe.

"Don't you want to run it by Chad?"

"..Hmm? He'll be okay with it. Of course he'll be okay with it."

…

"I am not okay with this, Amy." Gilbert listened to them bicker loudly through the paper thin walls, his arms crossed behind his head and Becky nestled into his side.

"What do you mean you're not okay with this? His birthday is a week away. This is your brother in law." Amy's shrill voice sounded throughout the living room, making Becky fidget slightly.

"Look at the kid, Amy. Look at him," Chad roared.

"What do you mean by that?! I have looked at him. I saw him grow right before my eyes, Chad. Lower your voice, they're asleep."

There was a pause and then Chad's considerably lower voice wafted into the room, "Are you telling me that you don't see him as any different from you and I?"

"Any different?" Amy's tone was slightly choked. "He is my brother, Chad. How can you think that way. How can you."

There was a lengthening sigh from the room across from the living room. "He is turning twenty, Amy. Twenty. Yet he acts like a damned eight year old. It has nothing to do with you. Fine, we'll have the party. But what kind of people just show up in front of a doorstep and ask for food and hospitality."

"My family."

Chad snorted, "Alright, fine, you're family. Party it is."

"Stop acting like it has no affect on you, Chad. Just stop it," Amy retorted harshly. There was a drop of something heavy onto the ground, and then many stomping footsteps.

"Where are you going?" Chad asked.

"I need to cook something," Amy whispered callously.

…

Hey there! This is chapter four of Back to Endora. There wasn't much plot in this chapter because I had to put in some major details for when I lead up to the climax. Hope you enjoyed all the same. :]

Review!