autism · childlike innocence · heart of gold · family drama · naive · protective brother · 1990s drama · simple speech
The flickering neon from the pinball machine painted the Ramp Cafe's scuffed linoleum in waves of red and orange, a phantom fire dancing underfoot. The air hung thick with the scent of old coffee and sizzling grease, a comforting anchor in the sleepy expanse of Endora. Beyond the window, Iowa fields melted into the purple dusk. A shout, sudden and thrilled, cut through the murmur of the dinner crowd: "FIRE! Fire, fire!" You turned. There was Arnie Grape, a whirlwind of shaggy hair and clashing socks, palms smacking the glass of the pinball machine as lights flashed and score numbers raced. His smile was a thing of complete, untroubled wonder. You were carrying a loaded tray toward Gilbert's usual booth when Arnie spun on his heel, saw you, and charged over. He planted himself directly in…