By the third week, Schroeder couldn't stand it any longer. It was too silent. It was too much! He hated it, and it frustrated him to no end. He had to do something!
So, with a deep breath, Schroeder dialed the number to Lucy's house.
"Hello?" Asked a voice Schroeder wasn't expecting. He felt his heart sink. It was Linus, and the last time he checked, Linus was still angry at him. This couldn't end well. But, with a deep breath, Schroeder continued. There wasn't any use giving up. He was going to try.
"Hello, Linus. This is Schroeder. I was wondering if Lucy could come to the phone?" Schroeder asked.
"Lucy doesn't want to speak with you, Schroeder," Linus retorted. Schroeder's heart continued to sink deeper and deeper.
"Well...could you please ask her to call me back?" He asked. There was a pause on the other end.
"I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Do not call back," Linus said.
"I can't stand it!" Schroeder shouted, slamming the phone down on the receiver, before sitting down against the wall and pouting. How long was this going to go on for?! Schroeder had learned his lesson! Why was Lucy being such a blockhead to him?! Why couldn't she just forgive him?! Why had him yelling at her this time been any different from any of the other times? Why was Lucy being so stubborn?! Schroeder let out a loud and defeated groan. Lucy really did like payback...
The next day, Schroeder marched right up to Lucy's house, in determination. If he went to her face to face, she'd have to listen to him! This was the best plan he had yet! He was definitely going to get his muse back!
He grinned to himself, walking up to the door, and knocking loudly on it.
A moment later, Linus Van Pelt opened the door. It was the most discouraging thing that could have happened. All of Schroeder's determination had vanished, replaced with disappointment. So...he wasn't going to get his muse back, after all. Well...it could be worse...
Schroeder's smile was gone completely, replaced with a very sad expression. He knew what the answer was going to be.
"Lucy isn't home, Schroeder," Linus said, glaring a bit at him. "Come back in about a month or two. She might be take, then." With that, Linus slammed the door. Schroeder slumped away.
Schroeder stood at the wall, leaning one hand against his chin and staring out at everything. He was bored, and tired. But now, he was even having trouble sleeping! Without being able to play music for so long, he couldn't even go to bed right! This was the last thing Schroeder needed. If Lucy had set out to make his life miserable, than she had certainly succeeded. And...he was still out of cereal.
Charlie Brown walked up to him, also leaning against the wall.
"What's wrong, Schroeder?" Charlie Brown asked.
"I can't play my music..." Schroeder grumbled, angrily.
"Why not?" Charlie Brown asked.
"...Lucy is ignoring me...I upset her, and now, she won't let it go! I can't even play music because I'm so worried I upset her! It's been three weeks, Charlie Brown! I don't know how much longer I can take this!" Schroeder said.
"Wait, why does Lucy ignoring you stop you from playing?" Charlie Brown asked, with a puzzled expression.
"Because..." He said, but drifted off. That was a good question. Why did it stop him from playing? Schroeder shook his head. "I don't know, Charlie Brown."
"Well, maybe you should go talk to her," Charlie Brown said.
"I have tried!" Schroeder said, raising his voice a little.
"Have you called her?"
"Yes."
"Gone to her house?"
"Yes!"
"Mailed a letter?"
"Ye-...well, actually, no. But I know that if I tried that, Linus would just send it back before Lucy ever got a chance to read it..." Schroeder mumbled. "Linus answered both the phone and the door, and he gave me the same answer both times. Lucy doesn't want to speak with me."
"Why is she ignoring you?" Charlie Brown asked, curiously.
Schroeder hung his head in shame. "I yelled at her..."
"You always do that, though!" Charlie Brown said. Somehow, this statement only made him feel worse. The stomach ache he had been having only got worse when the words left Charlie Brown's mouth. Schroeder tried to ignore it.
"Well...this time I told her I never wanted to see her again...ever," Schroeder said. "I suppose some other things may have hurt her feelings, too. Gee, I wish I could make it up to her."
"I've got an idea!" Charlie Brown said.
"Oh? What is it, Charlie Brown?" Schroeder asked.
Charlie Brown dialed Linus and Lucy's number. Schroeder waited anxiously behind him as Charlie Brown waited for either of them to pick up. He was feeling fidgety. Maybe this was a bad idea. This was a trick, after all. Lucy was going to get angry, and so was Linus. Schroeder almost wanted to walk away. He gulped, shaking a little. He hoped this would work. Maybe now, he could finally play music again.
"Hello, Linus?" Charlie Brown said aloud. Schroeder gulped again. "I was wondering if I could speak to Lucy, if she's there...thank you very much!"
And with that, Charlie Brown handed over the phone to Schroeder.
"Hey, whaddya want, blockhead?" Lucy's voice rang on the other end. He had missed talking to her.
"Lucy-" Schroeder began.
Lucy hung up.
