Ch. 10
"Haha, gotcha!"
James laughed as, for the second time that day, Centipede's many arms encircled him in a fond embrace. This time, however, the many-armed bug had caught his little boy just as James was about to re-enter the Peach Pit.
"Hi, Centipede. How was the meeting?"
"The usual," Centipede replied with a roll of his eyes. "People had a problem, I gave 'em a solution, then they whined about it for an hour. I swear, Jimmy-boy, some people want to complain more than they want a problem fixed. Should get them together with Earthworm."
"Centipede!"
"Yeah, I know, wouldn't be fair to the people who need help." Centipede winked at James before setting him down and meeting the boy's brown eyes. "Everything okay in there, kiddo?"
"Well..." James looked behind him at the front door. The cheery yellow light spilling out from the high glass window couldn't wipe away the solemn expression that crept across the little boy's face. "Dylan got angry and Mr. Grasshopper and Mrs. Ladybug put him in his room. He got really mad about that, but I think he finally got tired and fell asleep. I don't know if he's awake, though; I was playing with some of my friends until just now."
"Oh yeah?" Centipede sighed. "Well, maybe Dylan'll be too tired to throw any more tantrums tonight."
"I hope so. He was really loud."
"I'll bet. You okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." James smiled up at Centipede, hoping his guardian wouldn't question the statement. Centipede raised an eyebrow at his boy, but returned the grin and rubbed the top of James's head.
"C'mon, let's get inside and outta this cold. Any idea of what's for dinner?"
"No, but I think Miss Spider and Mrs. Ladybug said they were going to try to make something else Dylan likes."
"Oh, this is gonna be good."
James felt a shudder run through him at Centipede's words, but the warmth of the house quickly chased the fear away. Hanging up his winter clothing and setting his shoes by the door, James turned to see Miss Spider approaching the two.
"I was just about to call you," she told James with a smile. "All is well, Centipede?"
"Yep. What about here?"
"Quiet for now. Dylan has been sleeping since late afternoon."
"He was tired this morning," James remembered. "And I guess him being angry earlier didn't help."
"It did not," Miss Spider agreed. "But I am hoping that he will still get to sleep on time tonight. Although, he may have to stay up a bit later as from what I am told, Dylan has not done his homework."
"No surprise there, Angel Fangs. I had a feeling getting Dylan to do homework was gonna be worthy of a full-on war."
"That's hardly something to be amused about, Centipede." Mr. Grasshopper had entered the living room as well. "Apparently, Dylan is used to having his grandmother complete his assignments for him. So not only has Dylan no real sense of responsibility, but I'm certain his education has been impacted by this as well."
"Wait, his grandmother did his homework for him?"
"She did."
"Huh, shoulda guessed somethin' like that was goin' on. Dylan don't seem like the studious sort to me and if his grandma didn't bother stoppin' him to watch TV, chances were someone else was doin' the work."
"And he never went to summer school, right?" James looked up at Mr. Grasshopper.
"No, he didn't. I actually called your school to confirm that right after you went outside, James. From what I was told, Dylan only barely qualified to be moved from each grade. If he was skipping school regularly and not doing well on any exams, then his grandmother must have worked hard to ensure his assignments were both turned in and marked well enough to ensure he would receive enough credit to be promoted to the next form each year. But now..." Mr. Grasshopper sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know what we're going to do."
"I know what we're gonna do. Nothing."
"Nothing?" Miss Spider raised an eyebrow at Centipede.
"Yep."
"You propose we stand by and allow Dylan to simply forego his mandatory assignments?" The disbelief in Mr. Grasshopper's voice was thick enough to cut.
"Yep." Centipede's grin didn't waver.
"Why?"
"Easy. Hey, Jimmy, what happens to kids who don't do their homework?"
"Umm... I don't think any of the kids in my class have ever not done their homework."
"Thank goodness," Mr. Grasshopper added.
"Although." James frowned slightly as a memory surfaced. "I remember hearing some other kids talking at recess about how some of their friends couldn't come outside because they didn't have their homework done. They had to stay in the classroom and do makeup work."
"There, see?" Centipede crossed his arms in what could only be described as a triumphant pose. "Dylan doesn't get his homework done, he doesn't get to go outside and has to do extra work at school."
"And how would that reflect on us, as his temporary guardians?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.
"Well, for one thing, that school's gotta know Jimmy don't slack on his work, so there's that. Plus, I'll let his teacher know what the plan is when I take the kids to school tomorrow and that she has our permission to give Dylan as much work as she likes when the other kids are at recess."
"I... suppose that might help," Mr. Grasshopper admitted. "Though I doubt Dylan will be particularly happy about this."
"Yeah, well, schools are used to dealin' with all kinds of kids. And I'm guessing they know what Dylan's like by now."
"Do tell, Centipede, did you come up with this idea yourself?"
"Uh, why you asking, Spider?"
"Because it sounds like something that intern of yours would come up with. Wren, yes? You mentioned she has had to deal with siblings acting out."
"Uh..." Centipede sighed as the three present members of his family smiled in realization. "Okay, yeah. Wren told me. Apparently, her brothers were pullin' the same stunt and her parents finally decided enough was enough."
"Fair enough." Mr. Grasshopper chuckled despite his misgivings. "And perhaps this will solve two problems: Dylan will receive an appropriate consequence for his disobedience and he will learn that not taking responsibility for his own assignments will only lead to more trouble for him."
"I hope he doesn't get too mad," James said softly. "I don't know what would happen if he had a tantrum at school."
"Nothing for you to worry about," Miss Spider assured him, wrapping her arms around her son's shoulders and kissing his cheek. "Best go and get ready for dinner, James."
"Yes, Miss Spider."
"And Centipede, perhaps you would be so kind as to rouse Dylan?" Mr. Grasshopper asked with a slightly sarcastic smile of his own.
"Wait, why me?"
"Because Mrs. Ladybug and I have already dealt with him."
"...fair enough."
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Rich warm smells were hovering over the table by the time James took his place at the table. Already a plate of steaming food was set before him and Mrs. Ladybug was pouring out glasses of water for everyone.
"Alright, dearie?" she asked, setting James's water by his plate.
"Yes."
"Good. Let's hope it stays that way."
James nodded, but all the same he couldn't help the sinking feeling in his stomach at the sound of an all-too-familiar whine. Sure enough, Dylan came stumbling into the kitchen, supported by a few of Centipede's hands on his back. The older boy was rubbing at his eyes and scowling.
"I'm still sleepy."
"I'm not surprised, young man. But you may return to your bed right after you finish your dinner."
"Ugggghhhhhhhhhh." Dylan moaned, slumping into his chair with his hands over his eyes. "I don't wanna."
"I thought you were tired." Earthworm aimed a confused look in Dylan's direction.
"I wanna watch TV," Dylan whined.
"We've been over that subject and the answer is no." Mrs. Ladybug set a steaming plate in front of Dylan, who was still hiding his face. "Now eat your dinner while it's hot. It's macaroni and cheese, like you asked for.
Dylan took his hands away from his face to stare at the plate in front of him. "This isn't macaroni and cheese!"
"Well, I did use penne instead of macaroni, yes. But the mozzarella is fresh and it melted well."
"There's stuff in it!"
James looked down at his own plate as he realized another round of meal complaints was about to ensue. Once again, though, he could not share in Dylan's opinions about his family's cooking. The thick strands of mozzarella indeed as fresh as could be and the mix of peas, onion, and carrots that had been mixed into the melting cheese added not just texture, but savory flavor. There were also thick pieces of juicy chicken that had been added to nearly everyone's plates which, in James's own opinion, complemented the penne noodles perfectly. Fresh salad and bread were also available on the table, but James knew Dylan would only nibble at the bread and ignore the salad completely.
"Manners, Dylan. And yes, we added vegetables and chicken to the dish to give it extra flavor."
"Not to mention for additional nutrition," Mr. Grasshopper noted, nodding in approval.
"I want the real kind in the box with the orange cheese."
""Humph, a homemade version is more real than that packaged slop," Earthworm sniffed.
"It is NOT!"
James was glad he had just swallowed a bite of his own food as his mouth was too busy with that action to allow discomfort to show on his face. All the same, he did feel better when Miss Spider reached out to run a hand over his back.
"Pay no heed to him, my James," she whispered over her own dinner. "Let us deal with Dylan."
James nodded, taking another bite of his food. The little boy didn't care what Dylan said; his family's homemade macaroni and cheese- or rather, penne and cheese- was delicious.
And Mrs. Ladybug and Miss Spider made it for Dylan and he doesn't care.
No, he didn't. James felt a tightening in his chest as Dylan made a face and pushed his plate away. The older boy had asked for something and gotten it, only to scream that it wasn't "right."
Well, that's not really fair. I guess if Dylan thought saying he wanted macaroni and cheese meant he'd get the kind he liked and he got something else instead, he'd be a little disappointed.
That was true, James thought. Like, being promised one thing and getting another that wasn't as good. He and Tessa felt that way about a book in the library they had both read. The back of the book had promised a really fun mystery about a phantom in a theater but the book had mostly been about saving a playhouse going out of business. And yes, the story had been fun, but it wasn't what either James or Tessa had wanted.
He'd mentioned that to Mr. Grasshopper and the tall insect had laughed and answered,
"When you're a bit older, dear boy, I have a much better book to give you."
Getting back to Dylan, though, James could somewhat understand the older boy's attitude if he was merely disappointed. And... well, hadn't James known what it was like to be promised a certain food and then end up with something less than appetizing?
Your family wouldn't make Dylan try and eat fish heads. Or say it's time for dinner then leave you bread crusts.
No. No, they would not.
"Dylan, please at least try the penne. You might like it."
"NO! I don't WANNA!"
"You will be hungry if you do not eat," Miss Spider said in a mild tone that belied the annoyance in her eyes.
"Hey, maybe try somma this." Centipede had ducked into the kitchen and brought out a sturdy bottle from the refrigerator. "Didn't ya say you liked plenty of ketchup with your food?"
"Really, Centipede?"
"What? If he likes it, he likes it."
"Humph." Dylan sulked, but to everyone's surprise, he took the ketchup and squirted a hefty amount of the viscous red liquid onto his plate. Grabbing his fork in his chubby hand, the older boy shoveled a few cheesy noodles dripping with ketchup into his mouth.
"It's okay," he muttered around a mouthful, but continued eating.
"There, see? Compromise." Centipede smirked at everyone at the table before continuing to eat his own dinner.
Mr. Grasshopper sighed and shook his head, but didn't press the matter. Mrs. Ladybug also looked relieved and the atmosphere around the table grew more relaxed everyone finished eating.
"Right, then, Dylan, I think it's your bedtime," Mr. Grasshopper said once the dishes were cleared.
"I want cookies! And ice cream! And-"
"We went over that subject as well. No."
"YES! And I wanna watch TV!" Clearly having a full meal inside him only served to give Dylan more energy to raise a fuss.
"The only way you're going to be staying up later is if you agree to do your homework."
"NOOOOOOOO!"
"Well, then, to bed with you."
Dylan pouted, slumping down in his chair and crossing his arms.
"Weren't you complaining you were tired?" Earthworm asked, sliding away from the table and farther away from Dylan. "Surely you want to return to sleep."
"I WANNA WATCH TV!"
"Ad we told you that you have lost that privilege tonight, as well as your privilege to have sweets after dinner tonight and tomorrow. Although." Mr. Grasshopper paused, then glanced at Centipede thoughtfully. "If you agree to sit here and do your homework under my supervision, Dylan, I think we can arrange for you to have some dessert once you have finished."
James caught Centipede's smirk and smiled back. Clearly, the overgrown arthropod was thinking that he might have finally swayed Mr. Grasshopper over to his way of thinking. And maybe it would-
"NOOOOO!"
Guess compromise didn't work this time.
"I know where this is going and I'm staying to hear more of it!" Earthworm was already halfway up the stairs before he'd finished speaking.
"I WANNA WATCH TV! AND I WANNA HAVE COOKIES!" Dylan's words were quickly overtaken by straight-up crying as he sat and banged his feet against the chair he remained sitting in.
"You are not watching television and if you are quickly losing the right to earn a sweet back tonight even if you do your homework."
"WAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"Oh dear, it begins again," Mrs. Ladybug sighed. "James, dear, why don't you start getting ready for bed as well. But I think Miss Spider needed you in the kitchen first."
"Yes, Mrs. Ladybug." Indeed, James had noted that Miss Spider had indeed vanished from the dining room and the little boy obediently headed for the kitchen and away from the scene that was unfolding at the dinner table.
"There you are, my James. Come, sit."
Miss Spider gestured at the small kitchen table. James sat down and was promptly presented with a decadent looking chocolate muffin and a glass of milk.
"Dylan is not permitted sweets," Miss Spider said as she briefly hugged her son. "But you most certainly are. And I bought those fresh from the market bakery today."
"Thanks, Miss Spider."
"Of course. And tell me, my James, what is this about something special you have at school?" Miss Spider smiled at the little boy as she set the dinner dishes to soak in the sink.
"It's a project for history. We're going to mostly work on it at school, but I'm doing some of it here," James answered between swallowing down bites of the sweet pastry. "Tessa and I are working together and we should be done by Thursday. But it's a surprise, so no one can look under my bed this week."
"I will not. I wish to be surprised by the amazing work I am sure you will be doing. But you say it has something to do with your history class?"
"Yes, but we got to choose what we were doing our project on and if we wanted to work together or with a partner. Tessa wanted to so something that was close to what I wanted, so we're working together. We still have to do our own projects, but we'll present them to the class together."
"I have no doubt you will do an excellent job, my James. But I think we have all done enough for one day. Come now; it is time to get ready for bed."
"Okay." James took his empty plate and glass to the sink. "I'm already tired."
"I can tell." Miss Spider reached over and laid a hand on James's cheek. "Are you truly alright, James?"
"Yes." The little boy winced a bit as another angry cry sounded from the dining room. "I'll be okay."
"All the same, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
"I know."
Miss Spider looked like she wanted to say something else, but instead, she merely pulled James to her for another quick hug before letting him go.
"Go ahead, my James. And with luck, you and Dylan will sleep soundly tonight."