Curse of Arachnaman Read Online Free Page A

Even after we got married, we had to wait a while before starting a family. Living off ramen noodles didn't exactly end after college, you know. If anything, my daily nutrition expanded itself to ramen noodles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."
    'Nuff said, Dad.
    Remind me to skip over the 50s decade when I get older. I think people get all bitter in their 50s and then kick back and turn cool again in their 60s. I guess, after living on this crummy earth for forty years, they really can't help but look back at their lives and wonder what the hell went wrong, just as they get closer to retirement age.
    After playing, I opened my inbox to find this message from Althea: Hey, Eric. What do you think of bingo? I sighed and sent my response: I don't. Life's better that way. Aren't you supposed to be saving humanity from the scum of the earth right now? Quit messing around and do your job.
    * * * *
    Scanlon stayed for dinner, by the way. I guess spending all that time on the computer, lost in complete denial of his existence, didn't alter the course of reality. When Mom called for me to help out in the kitchen, I went all obedient son on her and hurried downstairs, only to be told that we had a guest for dinner, and that I was needed to make sure that we had enough food to serve.
    In brief...
    "Here you are,” Mom said, marching over to the table, where her purse and a writing tablet sat. She read what was on the tablet and then scribbled something on it before tearing off the top sheet. She handed it to me and then rummaged through her purse for her wallet. “Make sure to tell Mrs. Zhang that Scanlon can't take very spicy food. Remember the time we served him Kung Pao chicken? The poor dear came down with the worst diarrhea, I heard. Just...nasty."
    "Mom, I might have to call child protection services or something if you continue with that story,” I spluttered, totally grossed out. Who in the world would want to subject young, impressionable minds to Scanlon's toilet experiences?
    "Anything on that list that's spicy, make sure that she cooks a special batch for us without the red peppers and whatever else they use to, you know..."
    "Cause people to blow fire out of both ends,” I said glumly, staring at the list.
    "That would be a less subtle way of putting things, but yes. Here's the money. And don't dawdle like you usually do.” She narrowed her eyes at me as I pocketed the cash. “I know you tend to get pretty chatty with Mrs. Zhang, Eric, and while that's fine when we don't have guests over, it's completely unacceptable tonight. Okay?"
    "Yeah, okay.” I sighed as I shuffled out of the kitchen.
    Unfortunately, on my way out, I had to pass by the living room, where Scanlon, Liz, and Dad hung around, watching TV.
    "Hey, Tiger! Where you goin'?” Scanlon called out.
    "To hell and back, judging from tonight's schedule,” I muttered, but I pretended like I didn't hear him. It helped that I was nearly running for the door that time, so I had an excuse for snubbing Mr. Happy Days.
    As much as I'd have preferred to chill with Mrs. Zhang, I didn't really have any other choice but to follow Mom's orders, so I gave her the list and told her Mom's instructions for spicy stuff.
    "What, your guest too wussy for my spices?” she snorted. I shrugged and looked sheepish. “Humph. You Westerners. Don't know real Chinese food if it bit you in your white asses.” She marched off to the kitchen and barked out orders to her husband, who was also the chef.
    The only comfort I had then was the little bowl of wonton soup she gave me, while I perched on one of the stools scattered inside her takeout place, waiting for my order to be cooked. She always gave me freebies like that when I had to wait for my order. She said those freebies were good for my weight problem. That is, they were supposed to add between twenty to fifty pounds after consumption.
    Let me say that I was glad as hell that those hoped-for pounds never materialized after