CHAPTER 2: GOING BACK TO THE START

Pig Pen and Frieda were watching TV at his place. It had been weeks since he found her flirting with a random guy at the Bronze Beagle. Both had made strides to fix their relationship and tried to move on, but it wasn't easy for Pig Pen. He wanted to believe that Frieda was faithful to him, but at the same time, if they went out together, if he had to go to the bathroom, how would he know she wouldn't flirt with a man while he was away? It was a thought that never left him. But if they were going to fix their relationship, he would have to trust her, but still be cautious at the same time.

Frieda looked over at her boyfriend and said, "What's on your mind, Matty?"

"Oh nothing," said Pig Pen. "Was wondering what we should do for Valentine's Day."

"There's that new French restaurant that opened downtown," Frieda suggested.

"That sounds good. Been wanting to try that place out for a while, actually. You feel like some French cuisine?"

"I could go for some."

"Well, it looks like we're going to Maurice's on February 14."

"Sounds great, baby." And Frieda cuddled next to Pig Pen. He wrapped his arm around her. Things seemed promising. He hoped that the worst was behind them.

At the Brown's house, Charlie was coming back from the recruitment center. Pat was waiting for him to walk in, as she had also came home from Ray's. As he walked in, Charlie was taken by surprise by Pat placing kisses on him.

"Welcome home, baby," she cooed.

"Wow, never in a million years did I think I'd get greeted like that!" said Charlie.

"Well, Chuck, you are definitely kissable," said Pat, looking at her boyfriend with love, then planting another kiss on him. "So whatcha got planned for us for Valentine's Day?"

"You know that's a surprise. You will have to wait until the 14th to see what it is."

"Oh all right. But what do you have planned for us tonight?"

"Tonight, my dear, we will head to the movies to see the latest horror flick 'It Seeped From the LaBrea Tar Pits' starring Rick Richardson."

"Ooh, can I hold your hand, Chuckie baby?"

"Like you have to ask, Patty baby." And Charlie swooped Pat off her feet, taking her by surprise. Then the two of them started kissing and Charlie carried Pat out of the kitchen and both got ready for their date.

Linus was finishing up at the library when he saw Lucy coming in. He was wondering what his sister was doing there and that late. He went to greet her.

"Hey, sis," said Linus. "What brings you by?"

"Linus," Lucy began, not missing a beat, "I need your help. You know I've been looking for work after getting paroled. And I haven't had luck in the job department. I was wondering-"

"-if I had any positions at the library available, right?"

"How did you-"

"Lucy, you don't have to tell me that you're trying to do right. I will talk to my boss tomorrow and set something up. He knows about your record and believes that people can change. He told me just to run it by him and that he is willing to set something up with you."

"Really?!"

"Scout's honor."

"Thank you, little brother." And Lucy kissed Linus on the cheek. He was taken aback.

"Okay who are you and what have you done with Lucy?!" he joked.

"You silly blockhead!" laughed Lucy. "Okay, let me know what happens."

"Wait, you need a lift back to the halfway house?"

"Sure."

"I'm almost done here. I can drop you off." And Lucy waited for Linus to be done, then he brought her back to the halfway house she was staying at before heading back to his apartment.

NEXT CHAPTER: FRANKDORA!