"In second place, James Henry Trotter!" Booker boomed, his deep voice echoing off the walls of the gymnasium.
"Way to go, Jimmy!" Mr. Centipede crowed.
Mr. Grasshopper stayed seated while the others cheered on their feet. He was tired by the outing, but he did manage to clap for James while giving him a beaming smile. James accepted the silver medal and took his place next to the third-place winner, who grinned at him.
"First place, Benjamin Finke!"
Another cheer as the lanky boy accepted his gold medal.
"That's it for today's competition, folks! I'm so proud of these boys for their training and persistence. Thanks for coming. Refreshments are over there. Have a great night."
Despite practically vibrating with eagerness to talk to James, Mr. Centipede settled down beside Mr. Grasshopper. "You okay?" he asked.
"Tired. And a bit peckish."
"There's some human food, if that's okay," Mr. Centipede said quietly.
"Nothing complex," Mr. Grasshopper said.
"Sure thing, Grasshopper. Hey, Earthworm, keep him company."
"Oh, yeah, pick me," Mr. Earthworm complained as Mr. Centipede left.
"Don't be ridiculous," Mr. Grasshopper said, smiling. "You don't mind at all."
"Maybe, but don't you be telling him that," Mr. Earthworm replied.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Mr. Grasshopper said. He smiled as he glanced around to see where the rest of the family was.
Mrs. Ladybug was talking with a mother and exclaiming over a baby boy, and Miss Spider and Glowworm chatted with a couple of businessmen who were there with their sons. Mr. Earthworm had no problem staying curled up beside Mr. Grasshopper. He didn't like being around so many feet, even if a misstep wouldn't be deadly anymore. Mr. Centipede brought back three plates, handing one to Mr. Grasshopper and setting one in front of Mr. Earthworm.
"Mm, is that macaroni and cheese?" Mr. Earthworm asked, leaning down to sniff.
"Two kinds," Mr. Centipede said.
Mr. Grasshopper picked up one of the small sandwiches on his plate and took a hesitant nibble. When he didn't immediately want to spit it out, he took a bigger bite.
"Mm. That's not bad," he murmured.
"Sounds like you're getting your appetite back," Mr. Earthworm said.
"I'm glad for it," Mr. Grasshopper said. "Human food has so much variety. It's a true gift to be able to experience it."
"Preach it, Grasshopper," Mr. Centipede teased.
Mr. Earthworm snickered into his food. James came running over with a plate full of delicious foods.
"There's our Jimmy!" Mr. Centipede exclaimed. He took the plate before pulling James into a tight hug. "Second place! And that's after only a couple months of practice! Imagine what you'll be like in a year! You'll be undefeatable!"
"Oh, I don't know about all that," James said, but he was grinning. He took his plate back from Mr. Centipede. "What did you think, Mr. Grasshopper?"
"I thought it was spiffing," Mr. Grasshopper said. He held out his left arms for a hug. James squeezed him gently, mindful of his right side.
They ate their food as they discussed the match and were soon joined by the rest of the family. Booker himself came up to talk to them when the evening was winding down. He greeted Mr. Grasshopper warmly.
"Good to see you again," Booker said. "I was worried for awhile there. You'd never missed before."
"Unfortunately, there was an accident," Mr. Grasshopper said. "I've been rather out of sorts since then."
"Well, I'm glad you made it tonight. James is a great student, and his stories are so great to hear."
"Indeed. I hope he writes them down one day," Mr. Grasshopper said.
"Nah, they'll make a movie!" Mr. Centipede argued. "Though it'll be hard to capture my likeness."
"Oh, I'm sure they can find somebody. In fact, I'd say any jackass would do," Mr. Grasshopper replied.
Mr. Centipede snorted, tilting his hat back. "You'll regret that one."
"I look forward to it," Mr. Grasshopper said primly.
Booker let out a rumbling laugh. "You're certainly funny, Mr. Grasshopper. James is lucky to have guardians like you."
"We're the lucky ones," Mr. Centipede said, throwing several arms around James's shoulders. "Jimmy's the best thing that ever happened to us."
James glowed with pleasure. "You're all the best thing that has ever happened to me, too, Mr. Centipede."
Booker smiled at the warm scene. "Well, I hope you'll continue your lessons, James. I enjoy coaching you."
"I enjoy my lessons," James said. "I would like to continue."
"As long as you're safe," Mrs. Ladybug said.
"I would say the boxing has made him safer," Mr. Grasshopper said quietly.
Miss Spider smiled. "I agree. I understand the need to protect oneself, and this is no different than my venom."
"Or mine," Mr. Centipede said.
Booker stared at them curiously, but he didn't ask. "I'm glad you'll continue, James. I'll see you next Tuesday after school. Now I'm going to go snag one of Ann Marie's biscuits. Tastes just like home."
After he left, James peered at Miss Spider and Mr. Centipede. "You have venom?"
"Course we do," Mr. Centipede said. "Don't you know that?"
"I never thought about it," James admitted. "Humans don't exactly produce venom."
"True enough, Jimmy," Mr. Centipede said.
"What do you use it for?" James asked.
"Before, we would paralyze our prey," Miss Spider said, delicately nibbling on a scone that Mrs. Ladybug had brought. "Mine in particular helped to break down my prey to make it more digestible."
"Yeah. I took down a mouse with a nip once," Mr. Centipede bragged.
"In the Before?" James asked.
"Well, yeah. Wouldn't be bragging about it at my current size," Mr. Centipede said.
"At least you know you're bragging," Mr. Earthworm grumbled.
Glowworm was gazing anxiously at Mr. Grasshopper. "I believe we should leave soon," she said.
Mr. Grasshopper tried to sit up straighter, but he winced. "Finish eating, at least," he said.
"You done?" Mr. Centipede asked.
"Yes. I think a salad when we get home will be more palatable," Mr. Grasshopper replied.
The others finished eating, and then they headed home. The walk tired Mr. Grasshopper out, and he sank into the sofa when he got home and shivered.
"Let's get your bandages changed," Mrs. Ladybug said. "James, go take your bath."
"I'll make you a nice salad, Mr. Grasshopper," Glowworm said, bustling into the kitchen. She didn't bother flipping on the light as she lit her tail.
"All right, Grasshopper," Mr. Centipede said. "Let's get you outta this shirt."
Mrs. Ladybug carefully peeled the webbing off. She peered at the wound. "It's almost sealed up again," she said.
"That's good," Mr. Grasshopper murmured.
"It is. A few more days and we might be able to stop using the bandages. Miss Spider?"
Miss Spider had already woven the new bandage, and they quickly treated him and got him settled. Glowworm brought him a salad, and he managed to eat half of it. The family rinsed off and got changed into their nightclothes. The family was winding down for the night, and it had been such a nice day, and Mr. Grasshopper finally decided he would do it after all.
"I, ah, was wondering if you'd like to hear my newest piece," Mr. Grasshopper said into the comfortable silence.
There was a pause, then James jumped up, his eyes bright. "I'll go get your violin. One or two?"
"Two, please. Thank you, James," Mr. Grasshopper said.
As James scampered off, Mr. Grasshopper glanced around. "I hope nobody objects?"
"Object? Whatever for?" Miss Spider asked.
"It's always delightful to hear you play," Glowworm said.
"It won't be too strenuous?" Mrs. Ladybug asked.
"If it were a longer piece, perhaps. But I've managed to play through it a few times without a pause."
James came back with both violin cases, and Mr. Grasshopper took them and opened one and then the other. The others watched as he prepared and tuned the instruments one at a time before settling them in and playing scales. Then he hesitated.
"I'm not sure I'll be able to play it without any mistakes," he said.
"Hey, everybody makes mistakes," Mr. Centipede said, leaning back in his chair.
"True," Mr. Grasshopper replied. "Well, I suppose…"
He trailed off then placed the bows on the strings and began to play without another word. The song had the same discordant note in the first half that Mr. Centipede had noticed earlier in the week. Mr. Centipede recognized himself in the frantic melody, as well as his outburst in a frantic series of notes, but afterwards, the notes calmed and became soothing, and the discordant note eased away into a new melody that combined with what had been Mr. Centipede's strain. It ended in a smooth crescendo that rang out a note of hope before the music ended.
Mr. Centipede shifted first. "Glad ya got that worked out then."
"Beg pardon?" Mrs. Ladybug asked, puzzled.
Mr. Grasshopper looked startled then pleased. "You helped."
"I noticed," Mr. Centipede replied.
That thrilled Mr. Grasshopper even more. "You did?"
"Notice what?" Mr. Earthworm asked.
"I noticed," James said. "And I'm glad things are better now."
"We have clearly missed something," Miss Spider said.
"It's all in the music, angel fangs," Mr. Centipede said.
"Well then play it again," Glowworm said.
"Again?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.
"I believe the proper word is encore," Mr. Centipede said.
"Then encore already!" Mr. Earthworm said irritably.
Mr. Grasshopper smiled. "If you insist," he said, then struck up the tune again. He watched as various degrees of comprehension dawned on their faces as he played, and after the last note, he jumped into an improvised melody about their day. They seemed to recognize something of the emotion behind, even if not all of them understood exactly what was being referenced.
Mr. Grasshopper finally couldn't continue. He lowered his violins and put them away, exhausted but pleased. James put them back and Mr. Centipede helped Mr. Grasshopper get showered and dressed. When Mr. Grasshopper was settled in his hammock, Mr. Centipede hesitated.
"You made me feel again, Grasshopper. I like hearing you play. It helps me get it."
Mr. Grasshopper smiled. "I'm glad for that, Centipede. I always felt you would never understand."
"Well, it took a bit more than I'd have liked to knock some sense into me."
"Mr. Grasshopper?"
They turned to the door. "Yes, James?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.
"I'm going to bed. That showcase really took it out of me."
Mr. Centipede helped Mr. Grasshopper to give James a goodnight hug. "You did splendidly, my boy. And I'm so proud of you."
"Me, too, Jimmy," Mr. Centipede said.
"I'm proud of you both, too."
The two bugs exchanged bewildered glances.
"Us?" Mr. Centipede asked.
"How so?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.
"You two never really got along well. But things are different now. I know it wasn't easy, considering what would have happened between the two of you Before."
"Guess we have done something pretty good," Mr. Centipede said. "You need anything?"
"Not right now," Mr. Grasshopper said. "Sleep would be best."
"Then I'll leave you to it. Come on, Jimmy. I'm ready to catch forty winks myself."
Mr. Grasshopper lay in his hammock and thought about what James had said about being proud of him. As he considered his relationship with Mr. Centipede, he realized they had come a long way. From their tense beginnings to their uneasy truce for the last several years, things had always been tough between them. For the first time, they were listening to each other and actually talking. Mr. Grasshopper found he didn't fear Mr. Centipede like he used to. After thinking on it, he realized that the cephalopod no longer reminded him of Gary.
As his fingers settled on his wounded side, he turned over and fell asleep. Despite thinking of Gary right before bed, he didn't have nightmares that night. Instead, he had strange dream of the Before and meeting a centipede that didn't eat him, but befriended him. The centipede's clicking language made the grasshopper feel safe and happy. When he woke the next morning, his mind translated the sentence for him, and it followed him for weeks afterwards, reminding him of his family.
'Lessers stick together, Grasshopper.'
And he was determined that it would be true.
And that's the last chapter for this story. Thanks for reading along. Leave a review and let me know what you thought. :)
God Bless