Chapter 7: A Week Later
A week had passed since Gumball had begun following his father Triston around. He was feeling majorly guilty over the week. He may have been glad to get to know his father more, but he couldn't help but feel more than guilt for buying out Mr Fitzgerald's company. It was an early Monday morning as the young feline was waking up in his water bed. He looked over to a photo on the nightstand by the bed. The figures of Nicole, Richard, Anais and Darwin were all in it. Gumball let out a sad sigh. It wasn't the same being raised by his father. In fact, it was like being taken away from his home. It wasn't the best environment, so it was hard to get used to it and he doubted that he ever could.
Gumball got up from the water bed, walking into the living room and sighing. His father saw him depressed and dragging his tail behind him with his ears hung low. "Is something the matter?" Triston asked. "...dad, listen. I… uh… how can I put this?" he started rubbing the back of his head with a look of nervousness of how he will react. "I just can't live with you. I know you're sick and all, but… I don't think I can live like this… at all. I tried my best, but just getting to know you more made me a lot more happy, but more lonely," Gumball explained. "I miss my home..." he added. Triston just rubbed his son's head reassuringly, crouching down to his height. "Alright then. I'll take you back home," Triston said since the sun had barely risen. "But, I thought…" before Gumball could continue he was shushed.
"My reasons for finding you in the first place were of ill reasons. I wanted an heir to my company once I was gone. That's why I found you. I just want you to know that I don't know how much time I have left, but the offer will always be open to you if you need it. But if you don't want to take my place, I understand," Triston explained his reasoning for finding his son in the first place. "Thanks… it's just… I don't think I can handle doing things like you did," Gumball responded he barely could keep it together when his father bought Fitzgerald's company. Triston smirked and laughed a bit. "You certainly take after your mother. Kind hearted even in the presence of others," he said while they were beginning to leave the apartment.
About an hour later, they made their way across town. Along the way, Gumball was thinking to himself. "What do I tell mom?" he asked his father, seeing him smile at him. "I would suggest sticking to the runaway. No matter what, remember that I'm dead. It was nice having you around. Makes me regret a lot of decisions in my life, but I hate to have missed out on knowing you like I have this past week," Triston apologized while laughing under his breath. At last they arrived to Gumball's house before everyone was awake. "And here's your career week report card," he added showing it to his son. Gumball opened it up eagerly. The report card was basically a way for them to write down complaints and grade how it all went.
Gumball was amazed when he saw it. It was full of A's, all on how he did, how helpful he was and how much he learnt. It all seemed like an easy A+. Gumball got out of the van, giving a wave to his father and expecting this to be the last time he will ever see his true father. Triston tipped his hat to him before driving away, the sun shining on his red van like a neon light in the night.
Gumball hit the doorbell tiredly, hearing the ding dong from inside. His tired mother answered it, and when her eyes opened, she saw him. She gasped, going on her knees and hugging him. "Oh, Gumball! Thank goodness you're safe! I'm sorry for running you off like that!" she apologized. She thought that her trying to force him to get his tattoo removed had made him run away. Gumball just gulped while hugging her back. "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry for running away. Can I go get ready for school now?" Gumball asked while breaking the hug. "Yeah, and you can keep the tattoo," she told her son. He grinned, knowing now that Teri wouldn't be mad at him if it got removed.
To Gumball, this was going to be just another part of his life to keep buried. His loathe towards Richard and Nicole had faded like smoke from a fire after he saw how Triston wasn't truly the best of fathers. He had money and a nice apartment, but it wasn't so much to compare to his home and his family. In the end, the Watterson family was the most comfortable home he could ask for.
The End...