"Nancy you're staying home today?" Dale asked as he zipped the orange Dead Bug suit over his underwear and white t shirt. His wife tended to her hair, it was thinned but she kept it short enough to place the large blonde wig over it.

"Sug, I told you four days ago that I was staying home on Friday. Then I leave for news coverage in Dallas this weekend." She turned away from the bathroom mirror to look at him. His brown eyes looked at her and he gave her a smile. "Didn't Joseph tell you? He's coming with me for his school assignment."

"I knew that baby, I was just checking with ya." he didn't listen when she said any of that the first time. He slipped his glasses on, and the clipped new sunglasses to them. They covered his eyes as he slipped the hat over his balding head.

He gave her a passionate kiss on the lips before he left to get his day started. His son, Joseph, had already gotten to school and left him some food but a growing boy needed his energy. Luckily Nancy had a small list made out for the store.

The sound of a mower early in the morning gave the scene of summer even more. The strange sweet scent of cut grass filled his lungs before he inhaled his newly lit cigarette. He gave a loud honk in the Bugebago to his wife in the house before pulling out.

Bill stood in his yard as he watered the sunburnt grass from a patched up green hose. He watched as Dale drove down the street.

It must be exciting being a… bug catcher. Bill thought as he turned the hose off and went back inside. Opening the blinds to his window to see out at the houses across from his. Each one looked better than his. The best was always Hank's. The block captain for many years, and where all the events took place. The birthdays for the neighbours, it's strange that everyone seemed to have forgotten his birthday this weekend. June 22. He'll be having his Beefaroni for a party for one.

He pulled away from the window and slunk into the kitchen for an afternoon snack. He ate most of his rations for the week, the cupboards were empty and mostly filled with crumbs. He brushed the crumbs out of the cabinet onto the floor.

Bill stopped when he saw a trail of black dots on the floor. He didn't remember having any food that was small, black and that moved.

"Oh my God, I have ants!" he shouted, he tried to step on them but stopped. "I have ants…yes!" he ran to the fridge and ripped all the pizza coupons and notes off the door.

Found it!

He ran to the phone, being careful to not step on anymore ants. Each number he pushed made his heart race. It's ringing! He tried to calm himself, but it was so hard to. He could feel the pickling heat start over his body from excitement of calling.

"Dale's Dead Bug, Dale speaking." the answer on the other end.

"I have ants!" Bill couldn't control his volume as he happily announced his insect issue. He heard silence from the other man but the sound of traffic in the background.

"Right…" the twang on the other end said finally. "How's after twelve for you, Bill?"

"Any time is good for me, Dale." he smiled as he twisted the cord around his finger. "And, Dale, can you bring some food?"

More silence, just exhaling of air on the other end. Dale drove in traffic with a cigarette hanging from his thin lips. "I'll see what I can do." and he hung up with that.

Bill let out a squeal of excitement but stopped himself from becoming louder. Why am I acting this way? He froze. He caught himself being to become attached to someone else who will hurt him in the end. He sank to floor with the phone still in his hand. Sudden realization sank in.

"Oh no…" his voice was small and confused.