Chapter 9
Nerik came to visit a couple of weeks later.
“Ah workin’ on yer pants still eh Spide?” Nerik asked.
“Yep.” Spider said, “Think I almost got it…”
“Getting’ tired of walkin’ on yer hands?” Nerik smirked.
“Not really…I jus’ want ter be able ter use both hands when I need ter.”
“Understandable, plus yer name doesn’t really suit yer without ‘em…”
“Ha ha very funny…” Spider leaned over his to look at Nerik more closely, “Scrawny.”
“I told yer…” Nerik said with a slight scowl, “It’s Nerik.”
“I know, but I like ‘Scrawny’ better.” Spider said with a smirk.
“Feh, It don’ suit me anymore.”
They suddenly heard the chorus of “Uncle Nerik! Uncle Nerik!” as four sliglets ran into the room.
“Oh no…sto…ack!” was all Nerik could get out before the sliglets jumped him, smothering him. It was too much for Spider, who had fallen over laughing hysterically.
“Spider! Help! Im’ getting’ smothered here!” Nerik cried, buried under a pile of sliglets.
“Aw…they jus’ luv their Uncle Nerik.” Spider managed to say before another fit of laughter.
“Ack! But there is such a thing as too much luv! Gerroff! Go pounce on Spider or something!”
Laughing, the sliglets got off of Nerik and started jumping on Spider, who just went into another laughing fit.
“Ah help! I’m bein’ attacked!” Spider laughed, “Too many of them! I’m done fer!” Spider then lay still, playing dead.
“Spider?” Tok said as he poked him.
Spider suddenly jerked his head up and yelled “Boo!”, causing all four sliglets to jump. Spider burst out laughing again and so did Nerik and the sliglets.
“Yer know…” Nerik said when he managed to stop laughing, “I still don’ see how yer, of all people, could be so good with kids.”
“One of lifes little mysteries I surpose.” Spider said with a grin, “Alright yer runts, go on and play; Spide’s got work ter der.”
“Aw…ok.” The four sliglets said in unison as they headed outside.
“Tok is getting’ a lot better isn’t he?” Nerik asked.
“Yes he is…” Spider said as he got up and started to work on his pants again, “I’m proud of ‘em…I’m proud of all of ‘em.”
“That is good. So...have yer thought ‘bout what yer goin’ ter der once they move out on their own?”
Spider looked up at him; there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
“I…haven’t really started ter think ‘bout that…” he said.
“I think yer better start. They are growin’ up fast.”
“Yes…yes they are….”
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