Chapters 41 and 42 Summary

In Chapter 41, it's five days before Arnie's birthday party and the Grapes are cleaning the house and getting ready for it. Arnie still has not bathed since Gilbert left him in the tub overnight. A delivery truck pulls out up front to deliver a trampoline as an early birthday present for Arnie from Betty Carver. While Gilbert is lying on the trampoline, he hears his sister scream Momma from inside and runs in to find his mother choking. They all try to save her, call the doctor, and finally Gilbert dislodges the food in Momma's throat by hitting her on the back of the head. When Bobby pulls up in the hearse, Gilbert attacks Booby, assuming Bobby is there to pick up their "dead" mother. Ellen screams at Gilbert that Bobby is her date.

In Chapter 42, Gilbert calls Becky over after...