“In a cement park across the street is this giant sculpture. It is a giant umbrella frame lying on its side. It's green. Stand under it, during a rainstorm, you'll still get wet - that's why it's art.”
Peter Hedges“In the living room, the consensus among the guests was that Scotty’s looks favored his father, but the Judge was quick to disagree: ‘He doesn’t look a thing like me. He looks like an hors d'oeuvre.’Hearing this, Joan thought the following, and pledged it to herself, as both prayer and promise: You will be loved, Scotty Ocean.And while the guests laughed at the Judge’s remark, Joan leaned over and softly whispered to her newborn son, 'You will be loved.”
Peter Hedges“I was seven when he hung himself, and I don't remember all that much, and anything I did remember, I've managed to forget.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“The more Christian you are in this town, the more makeup you wear. I've always thought that it's because if you were to die suddenly, you'd look better for God.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“These eggs are broken. Cracked.""Yes, ma'am. That happens sometimes.""Does it?""Yes, it's the unfortunate part of being an egg.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“How can you kill a man who'd already been dead for years?”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“I never want to regret. 'Regret' is the ugliest word.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“I devised a test.I turned off the TV and instantly the snoring stopped. She began to move. When I felt her eyes about to open, I turned the TV back on and back to sleep she went. Then I'd turn it off and on - sometimes for millisecond - and she never failed me. Each time it was off, she's move and mutter - each time it was on, she'd sleep.By the time the headlights from Amy's Nova turned into our driveway, my suspicion had been confirmed. My mother has a more intimate, connected relationship with this television than she has ever had with me.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“It's supposed to go bing-bing or bong-bong or ding-ding when tires go over it. The one at Dave's stopped working several years ago, and he won't have it fixed because he feels as I do - that none of us need to be reminded we exist.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“She doesn't acknowledge Tucker, and there's no thank you for the cigarettes. She says a person shows their gratitude by action, not by words. So I guess that means she thanks me by smoking every cigarette in every pack.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape“Gilbert?"Some days I hate all those who know my name.”
Peter Hedges, What's Eating Gilbert Grape