During the summer, Heather had taken over Lucy's psychiatry booth, and gave everyone great advice. When Lucy had returned from summer camp, Heather gave back the psychiatry booth, but not without thinking about starting her own. Lucy wasn't pleased that she was going to have a rival for psychiatry.
"You red-haired blockhead!" yelled Lucy.
Heather simply ignored her and set to work starting her psychiatry booth. She didn't go without thinking about how much each session cost. Lucy gives away her advice for five cents.
"Hmm…." Pondered Heather. "How much will… of course!"
Heather wrote on her booth "3 cents", so the lower the price, the more patients she could get.
"There." Smiled Heather. "I'm sure to do better than Lucy at this. Three cents for patients in general."
And she thought;
"And free psychiatry for Charlie Brown."
Soon, summer was over, and it was back to school for the kids, though Lucy and Heather agreed to open their booths on weekends if necessary.
One Saturday, as Heather sat at her psychiatry booth, who should come to the booth but Janice Emmons.
"Oh. Hello Janice." Smiled Heather.
"Hello Little Red-Haired Girl." Said Janice.
"You don't have to call me by the colour of my hair. My name is Heather." Heather replied.
"Okay, Heather." Said Janice. "By the way, where did you get the idea to do psychiatry?"
"A friend from my old neighbourhood taught me." replied Heather.
"Nice, Heather." Replied Janice.
"So what'll it be, Janice?" asked Heather.
"Did Charlie Brown ever tell you what I went through?" asked Janice.
"No, what?" Heather replied.
"I had a lot of bruises, none of which healed. I felt extremely tired. And I had a nasty fever. I had to go to hospital and the doctors told me I had leukaemia." Said Janice.
"Leukaemia?" Heather was shocked.
"That's cancer in the blood."
"Glad you survived, Janice." Said Heather. "Pity a lot of people didn't."
"I asked the doctors if I was going to die." Said Janice. "Charlie Brown asked me the same question, but chemotherapy did the trick, though it did make my hair fall out."
"That's nasty." Shuddered Heather. "Anyway, Janice, what does this have to do with what you're here for?"
"I'm looking to support people who've been diagnosed with leukaemia." Janice explained.
"I have a neat idea, Janice." Smiled Heather. "Why don't you start a fundraiser? Help raise money for people who've been diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, or cancer in general."
"That's a wonderful idea, Heather!" exclaimed Janice.
"Oh, before you leave….." said Heather, shaking the tin, asking for Janice's money.
"Alright then." Smiled Janice as she tossed three cents into the tin.
"Beautiful sound." Smiled Heather.
Janice took Heather's words into account.
"Fundraiser." Janice said to herself. "That's the way! Raise money to help those suffering life threatening diseases."
Janice went home, and sat on the sofa, thinking about what Heather told her to do.
Janice's mother called out.
"Oh, just thinking about something, Mom!" Janice called back.
Her mother asked again.
"A way to help people who are suffering from cancer." Janice explained.
Her mother asked if she had cancer again.
"No, I don't have any of those symptoms." Janice replied.
That Monday, Janice came to the bus stop where Snoopy, Linus, Charlie Brown, Sally and Heather were waiting. Janice was carrying more than just books. She was carrying two pink buckets. One with an orange cancer ribbon, and the other with a lime green cancer ribbon.
"Hi, Janice!" cried Linus.
"Hello, Linus. Hello, Heather. Hello, Sally. Hello, Charlie Brown." Smiled Janice.
"What are those buckets for, Janice?" asked Linus.
"I'm going to start a fundraiser." Said Janice.
"A fundraiser? For what?" asked Charlie Brown.
Linus, Charlie Brown. Do you remember when I had leukaemia?" Janice asked her two male friends.
"Yes. We do remember, Janice." Replied Linus.
"I'm going to raise money for those who've been diagnosed with cancer." Janice explained.
"But why two buckets?" asked Charlie Brown.
"The bucket with an orange ribbon is for those with leukaemia, and the one with the lime green ribbon is for those with lymphoma." Janice said.
"That's a fantastic idea, Janice!" smiled Linus.
"Oh, I didn't think of the idea myself." Said Janice. "Heather thought of it for me."
"Heather, is this true?" Charlie Brown asked Heather.
"Yes it is, Charlie Brown." Smiled Heather. "Fundraisers are great ways to raise money for people who are suffering life threatening illnesses and can't afford treatments or cures for their illnesses."
Soon, the bus arrived to take the children to school. Snoopy was the first to step on board, but then, he got kicked out. It wasn't Lucy to kick him off this time. It was Violet.
"No dogs!" yelled Violet.
Charlie Brown walked towards Snoopy and reminded him….
"Sorry, Snoop." Said Charlie Brown. "You can't come. Dogs aren't allowed on the school bus."
So all the kids walked onto the bus. Janice bumped herself on the door of the bus.
"Ouch!"
Janice looked at her arm, and fortunately, there wasn't a bruise.
"Thank goodness. No bruise this time." Smiled Janice.
So Janice went with her books and buckets to take her seat. Linus sat right next to her, and Charlie Brown took the seat behind them.
"So…. Who wants to sit with me? Anyone?" asked Charlie Brown.
Sally and Heather looked at each other with uncertainty, and then….
"Er…." Sally pondered.
"I'll sit with you, Charlie Brown." Smiled Heather. And that's what she did. Sat down beside Charlie Brown, leaving Sally on her own.
"Yes!" thought Charlie Brown. "The Little Red-Haired Girl is sharing my seat!"
"Since the Red-Haired Girl is sitting with my big brother, and Janice is sitting with my sweet babboo….." Sally suggested.
"I am NOT your sweet babboo!" Linus growled.
"….I'll take the very back."
Sally went towards the very back seat of the bus.
"How I hate having to ride on the school bus." Sally grumbled.
On their way to school, Janice explained Heather's idea to Linus. Linus was intrigued.
"Wonderful idea, Janice!" said Linus.
Over in Linus' class, Janice put her buckets on her desk.
Miss Othmar called to Janice.
"Yes, Miss Othmar?" asked Janice.
Miss Othmar called her to come to the front of the class.
"Alright, Miss Othmar." Replied Janice as she got off her desk, picked up her buckets, and showed her class.
"As some of you may already know," Janice began. "I had leukaemia, and I had to go through chemotherapy."
Miss Othmar asked about the two buckets.
"These buckets? Well," Janice began. "these buckets are for raising money to help people who've been diagnosed with leukemia. That money goes into the bucket with the orange ribbon."
Miss Othmar asked about the ribbon colours.
"The bucket with the green ribbon is for people who've been diagnosed with lymphoma. People die from cancer every day, so I want to help those who've been diagnosed with it." Janice finished.
Miss Othmar asked Janice to return to her seat as she'd finished.
"Yes, Miss Othmar." Janice replied as she went back to her desk, and waited until recess."
When it was recess, Janice walked around the entire school ground with her donation buckets, asking all the other kids to donate some money to her. She came up to Violet and Patty Swanson, who were doing jump rope with Frieda.
"What do you want?" demanded Violet.
"I'm supporting people who've been diagnosed with leukaemia and lymphoma. So I am asking for your donations. One cent may be enough to save a cancer patient's life." Janice said.
"One cent? Puh-lease! I wouldn't donate a penny!" scoffed Violet.
Violet, Patty and Frieda simply laughed just before going back to jump rope.
"They don't want to donate. Good grief!" sighed Janice.
At lunchtime, Janice sat down on the bench, looking disappointed.
"Nobody wants to donate." She sighed.
Janice was about to think about what to do when who should share the bench but Heather.
"Hello, Janice." Smiled Heather.
"Hello, Heather." Said Janice.
Heather could see that Janice was feeling sad.
"Janice, what's wrong?" Heather asked sympathetically.
"Nobody wants to donate to me." sighed Janice. "During recess, I asked kids for donations, but they wouldn't give me any. They just don't care about people who've been diagnosed with cancer. They wouldn't even give me a dime, let alone a cent."
"Oh, Janice!" smiled Heather. "It's not that easy to earn donations! Since it's lunch time, there's just enough time for me to give out free advice."
For the remainders of lunchbreak, Heather gave Janice more free advice for fundraising. Janice listened.
"That's wonderful advice, Heather!" Janice said happily. "I'll do it when I get home."
When school had finished for the day, Janice decided to walk home. However, she didn't walk home on her own. She was stopped by two other kids. Linus and Heather.
"Hi, Janice!" said Linus.
"Hi Linus. Hi Heather." Said Janice.
"You wouldn't mind us coming to your place, would you?" asked Heather.
"Not at all." Smiled Janice.
So Janice walked the rest of her way home, but not without Linus and Heather going with her.
"I just can't say no to the boy who helped me during my cancer treatment or the girl who's helping me help cancer patients." Janice said happily.
"Heather told me about her idea to help you, so I've decided to come and help you with it too." Linus explained.
"Thanks, Linus." Said Janice.
As they arrived at the Emmons place, Janice, Linus and Heather walked in.
"I'm home!" Janice called.
Janice's mother heard her.
"Oh. Just brought some friends over. They're going to help me." Janice replied.
Janice's mother replied again.
"Oh, er…. Come on, Heather. You too, Linus." Janice said, escorting them to her room.
While in her room, Heather showed off her idea to Janice. Heather found some orange paper, a pair of scissors, and cut the paper into small strips. Then, she folded the paper into the form of a cancer ribbon.
"You see, Janice. This is what I'm talking about." Said Heather.
"That's wonderful, Heather!" said Janice.
"Okay. You try." Said Heather.
Janice took Heather's advice, and cut some paper. Followed what Heather did.
"See. You've got the hang of it." Smiled Heather.
"Thanks for your help, Heather." Said Janice.
"Mind if I try?" asked Linus.
"Not at all, Linus." Replied Janice.
Linus took Janice's scissors, and cut some strips.
"There's more to cancer than just leukaemia, so while you two make more leukaemia ribbons, I'll go get more coloured paper." Said Janice.
She later returned with lime green paper.
"Green paper, Janice?" asked Linus.
"This is to make ribbons to support people who've been diagnosed with lymphoma. That's cancer in the lymphatic system." Janice explained.
So Janice, Heather and Linus continued to make cancer ribbons for the rest of the afternoon. When there was no more orange or lime paper…..
"There. That's the last one." Said Janice confidently.
"Do you think it'll be enough, Janice?" asked Linus.
"Should be enough to earn at least ten dollars, Linus. Then, I'll have enough money to make more ribbons to help support cancer patients." Janice explained.
The next day, Janice brought along another bucket. This contained the ribbons she, Linus and Heather made. During recess, she carried the three buckets. The ribbon bucket in her right hand, and the donation buckets in her left. She soon walked up to Charlie Brown, who was sitting on a bench with his little sister Sally.
"Hi, Janice." Said Charlie Brown.
"Hello, Charlie Brown. Hello, Sally." Said Janice.
"What are you doing with those buckets?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Yesterday, I tried getting donations to support those diagnosed with blood cancer, but that failed. So with great advice and help from Heather and Linus, we made some orange ribbons and green ribbons." Said Janice.
"That's very clever, Janice. That Little Red-Haired Girl is even smarter than I believed when she first came here. And I mean that." Charlie Brown said.
"You don't have to call her by her hair colour, Charlie Brown." Smiled Janice. "You can just call her Heather."
"Alright then." Charlie Brown said.
Charlie Brown remembered Janice getting leukaemia, and then…..
"I'll take two ribbons. An orange one and a green one." Said Charlie Brown.
"Thanks, Charlie Brown. Four cents please." Said Janice.
"Four cents? Of course!" suggested Charlie Brown. "That's another reason you didn't get any donations, Janice. You didn't have anything to exchange."
Charlie Brown tossed two cents in the leukaemia bucket, and two cents in the lymphoma bucket. Then, Janice handed him an orange ribbon and a lime ribbon.
"Thank you, Charlie Brown. Thank you for the donations." Said Janice.
Sally looked at Charlie Brown, and then she looked at the ribbons he purchased.
"Do you think you can tie those ribbons in my hair, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"These aren't just any ribbons, Sally." Said Charlie Brown. "They're cancer ribbons. They help to support people who've been diagnosed with cancer."
"I'd like the green one, Big Brother." Said Sally.
So Charlie Brown handed the lime ribbon to Sally.
"Thanks, Big Brother." Smiled Sally.
"Anything for my little sister."
Once the school day was over, Charlie Brown sat in the beanbag watching TV when the telephone rang. Sally walked over to the phone and picked it up.
"Hello. Sally Brown speaking! Oh, yes. I'll call him."
Sally called out to Charlie Brown.
"Big Brother! Your girlfriend's on the phone!"
"Now why would Heather be calling me on the phone when she could simply walk across the road from her place?" Charlie Brown pondered.
Charlie Brown got off the beanbag, and walked over to the phone.
"Hello?"
But it wasn't Heather phoning him. It was Peppermint Patty.
"Hiya Chuck!" said Peppermint Patty. "You haven't forgotten, have you?"
"Peppermint Patty?!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"Our baseball game this Saturday, Chuck. Remember that your team is playing against mine." Peppermint Patty explained.
"Okay. Also, Patty. You've just given me an idea." Said Charlie Brown.
"What would that be, Chuck?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"You'll see….." smirked Charlie Brown.
So Charlie Brown walked over to Janice's house, and knocked on the door, only for Janice to open it.
"Hi Charlie Brown! What are you doing here?" asked Janice.
"I have an idea to help you raise money for people with cancer." Said Charlie Brown.
"Come on in, Charlie Brown, and explain." Janice suggested.
Charlie Brown walked into the Emmons' house, and talked about what Peppermint Patty had told him.
"That's a wonderful idea, Charlie Brown! A charity baseball game!" said Janice excitedly.
"Just sell your ribbons for two cents each, and you might have enough money to help those in need." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"Oh I will, Charlie Brown. I will." Smiled Janice.
The next day after school, Janice came over to the Browns' house along with Linus and Heather. Janice knocked on the door, and Charlie Brown opened it.
"Hi, Charlie Brown. You wouldn't mind bringing Snoopy along, would you?" Janice asked.
"Snoopy!" Charlie Brown called.
Snoopy heard Charlie Brown's voice, and ran out to the front yard.
"Hey, Snoopy. Will you help me with a little task?" asked Janice.
Snoopy ran back to his doghouse to collect a few supplies. He put them in a box, and came back to the front yard. He showed the contents to Janice. There were badge pins, rolls of orange ribbon fabric, and rolls of lime green ribbon fabric.
"That is so clever, Snoopy!" said Janice. "Make ribbons out of real fabric. And pins. Of course! Cancer badges! You're such a clever dog, Snoopy."
Janice petted Snoopy. Snoopy simply giggled, because Janice's treatment towards him reminded him of his first owner Lila.
"You like that, Snoop?" Janice smiled.
Later, at the Emmons' place, Janice invited not just Heather, Linus and Snoopy, but Charlie Brown and Sally too.
"I'm glad you're inviting us to help you, Janice." Said Sally. "Just you, me, Snoopy, my big brother, his girlfriend, and my sweet babboo."
Charlie Brown and Heather both blushed upon hearing what Sally had just said, but Linus showed some anger.
"I am NOT your sweet babboo!" shouted Linus.
Sally, after hearing Linus' remark, simply giggled nervously.
While at the Emmons' place, the five kids and hound set to work making cancer badges.
"Alright." Said Janice. "Here's what we're going to do. Snoopy, you cut the ribbons down to size. Charlie Brown, you fold them. Linus, you put the pins on these ribbons."
"What about me, Janice?" asked Sally.
"You separate the finished badges into their individual colours, Sally." Suggested Janice.
"And what do I do?" asked Heather.
"Heather, you make boxes to contain these ribbons." Said Janice.
"Very well, Janice." Heather said confidently.
So that's what they did. Snoopy started cutting little ribbons. Charlie Brown tried to make the orange ribbon the right shape, but ended up making it in a knot.
"Good grief, Charlie Brown! You're doing it all wrong!" called Linus.
"But aren't I….. Oh good grief! I tied it in a knot!" Charlie Brown groaned.
"Tie it in a loop, Charlie Brown." Said Linus.
The next ribbon strip Snoopy handed, Charlie Brown did his best to form the ribbon into a loop.
"Carefully does it. Carefully….." Charlie Brown said to himself.
Charlie Brown finally got it right.
"Great work, Charlie Brown!" said Linus.
Charlie Brown handed the ribbon to Linus, and Linus stuck the pin into the ribbon.
"There." Said Linus.
Linus handed the ribbon badge to Sally.
"Ooh! I'm glad my boyfriend is helping my big brother." Swooned Sally.
"I am NOT your boyfriend!" growled Linus.
"Yes you are!" Sally said.
"No he's not!" called Janice.
Whilst her friends worked on the ribbon badges, Janice was thinking of another way to raise funds for cancer people.
"Think, Janice, think." Janice thought to herself. "What's another way to earn more money?"
At last, Heather came back with the boxes she made for the ribbon badges. She placed a paper cancer ribbon on each box. Orange for the leukaemia ribbons, and lime for the lymphoma ribbons.
"Alright, Sally." Said Heather. "Look at the ribbons, and try to figure out which one goes into which box."
"Alright, Red-Haired Girl." Said Sally.
"There's no need to call me Little Red-Haired Girl just because your brother would call me that." giggled Heather. You can call me Heather if you want."
"Alright, Heather." Said Sally.
Then, Janice came to Heather.
"Heather. Are you good at cooking?" asked Janice.
"Yes I am, Janice." Heather answered.
"I have another idea to raise funds." Smiled Janice.
That Saturday, at the baseball field, Charlie Brown's baseball team practiced for the game, while Janice prepared a little cancer booth. She had painted it red to raise awareness of blood cancer. Around it, she put an orange ribbon for leukaemia, and a lime ribbon for lymphoma. On one side, she wrote "Cupcakes 3c" and on the other, she wrote "Ribbon Badges 2c". She'd placed the ribbon boxes on the counter, waiting for people to buy them.
"Charlie Brown is a lot smarter than we all gave him credit for." Said Janice. "Make this baseball game a fundraising game."
Shortly before the game was about to start, Heather and Snoopy came along with a wagon containing two hundred cupcakes. Heather worked her hardest in baking them all. One hundred cupcakes had orange icing, and the other hundred had lime green icing. Snoopy tried to grab one cupcake, but Heather stopped him.
"No, Snoopy. These aren't for you. They're for the customers." Heather explained.
Snoopy just put his head down in disappointment.
"That was a clever idea to suggest making cupcakes, Janice." Said Heather.
"Well, everybody loves cupcakes." Said Janice.
"And it was also clever of you to think about turning this baseball game into a fundraiser." Added Heather.
"I didn't think of it myself." Said Janice. "Charlie Brown suggested the idea to me."
"Tee hee. Good Ol' Charlie Brown!" said Heather. "Good Ol' Charlie Brown! How I love him."
As Snoopy walked off to train for the game, Peppermint Patty and Marcie came along. Marcie came not to play due to her dislike for playing sports, but to watch Peppermint Patty's team. Peppermint Patty saw Janice's cancer booth.
"Look, Marcie!" called Peppermint Patty. "There's a booth! And there's cupcakes too."
"This is no time to be thinking about food, Sir." Said Marcie. "You have a game to play."
"Oh, Marcie!" Peppermint Patty smiled. "There's just enough room in my tummy for just one delicious little cupcake."
"If you say so, Sir." Sighed Marcie.
So both Peppermint Patty and Marcie walked over to the cancer booth.
"Hello, ladies." Said Janice.
"What can we do for you today?" Heather asked.
"I'm getting ready to play baseball, so I'd like just one cupcake." Said Peppermint Patty.
"Hmmm…. Make that two, Sir." Said Marcie.
"Sir?!" Janice was confused. "Now why would anyone call a girl Sir?"
"Actually, make that two. One orange, and one green." Said Peppermint Patty.
"Certainly. That'll be six cents please." Said Janice.
"Six cents?!" exclaimed Peppermint Patty. "But all I have is five cents!"
"I'll pay three cents, Sir." Said Marcie.
Marcie gave her three cents to Peppermint Patty, and Peppermint Patty paid her three cents and Marcie's to Janice.
"Here you go, ladies." Said Janice, handing the cupcakes to the two girls.
"Thank you. Come on, Marcie!" said Peppermint Patty.
"Yes, Sir. Right behind you, Sir." Said Marcie.
Once Peppermint Patty and Marcie left, Janice looked to Heather.
"Does Marcie always call her friend Sir?" Janice asked.
"Yes. She always calls Peppermint Patty Sir." Heather answered. "Don't know why anyone would call a girl "Sir" either, to be honest."
"She's weird." Said Janice.
"Anyway, Janice. I have a better idea." Said Heather. "Once all the spectators arrive, I'll serve half of the cupcakes and badges. You stay here with the other half."
"That's a deal, Heather." Smiled Janice.
Once the game was on, Heather held out a tray of cupcakes and a box of ribbons while walking around the crowd. Janice remained in her booth waiting for more customers.
"This is a great way to sell food and ribbons." Said Heather, and then she called: "Get your badges! Get your cupcakes!"
Charlie Brown, who was pitching, looked at the crowd, and saw Heather doing her best to sell the ribbons and cupcakes.
"There's Heather." Thought Charlie Brown. "No, Charlie Brown. Pay no attention to the Little Red-Haired Girl. Focus on the game."
Charlie Brown prepared the pitch, and pitched, only for the batter to hit the ball and send him spinning out of his clothes. Then, the ball flew towards Lucy, and she failed to catch it.
"You blockhead!" called Lucy.
Heather saw the game while selling a green cupcake and a green ribbon badge to a customer.
"That's not a good sign." Heather said to herself.
When it was time for the players to take a break, Heather came down to see Charlie Brown, who'd been injured by the ball.
"Are you alright, Charlie Brown?" asked Heather.
"No. This happens every time I pitch in baseball." Sighed Charlie Brown.
"Tell you what, Charlie Brown." Said Heather. "You hit the showers. I'll see if I can sort this out."
"Thanks." Said Charlie Brown as he went to hit the showers, and Heather looked at the players to see what they were doing wrong. She thought about who was always dropping the ball.
"Lucy!" called Heather.
"Me?!" exclaimed Lucy.
"Lucy, you're always flunking the flyballs. Mind if I take your position? You serve the cupcakes and badges." Heather suggested.
"But….. oh alright!" sighed Lucy reluctantly.
Snoopy saw all this and walked up to Lucy.
"Do your best, Lucy." Said Heather.
"Alright then." Smirked Lucy. "But remember. All the money goes to me, Lucy van Pelt!"
Snoopy stood on his tippy toes, and then kissed Lucy's left cheek.
"AAUGH!" groaned Lucy. "A dog kissed me!"
Lucy took her hat off and gave the glove and hat to Heather.
"Look out, Charlie Brown!" Smirked Heather with determination. "Today, you're going to see a completely different Heather Wold!"
Charlie Brown came back after his shower, and was surprised to see…..
"Heather?!" exclaimed Charlie Brown. "What are you still doing here?! Why are you wearing a baseball cap? And where's Lucy?"
"I'm the right fielder, Charlie Brown." Said Heather. "I saw her failing to catch those flyballs, so I'm taking over. Lucy's doing my job, though she claims she's getting the money for herself."
"Oh, good grief! You didn't tell her what the money is for, did you?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Er, no, Charlie Brown." Sighed Heather.
"AAUGH!"
When it was time for the game to resume, everyone went to their positions. Heather was the first batter up. She readied her bat. Once the pitcher pitched, Heather swung the bat as fast as she could, and the bat flew high up into the air, going, going, gone! Heather had scored a home run!
"Wow!" thought Charlie Brown. "She's more than just smart, beautiful, cute and kind. She's a better sports person than she looks."
Later, the game had come to an end. Peppermint Patty walked up to Charlie Brown.
"Great game, Chuck!" said Peppermint Patty.
"Er, thanks, Peppermint Patty." Said Charlie Brown. "You're surprised that my team won, huh?"
"As a matter of fact, I am." Said Peppermint Patty. "That Red-Haired Girl is a better sports person than I thought she'd be."
"Oh, you don't have to call her Red-Haired Girl." Said Charlie Brown. "Her name is actually Heather."
"Again, great game, Chuck. Put 'er there!" smiled Peppermint Patty as she held out her hand, and Charlie Brown shook it with his own. Peppermint Patty looked and got excited.
"Chuck. You're holding my hand." She swooned.
After Peppermint Patty and her team left, Charlie Brown went to find Heather.
"Heather! Heather!" he called.
Heather was returning the hat, bat and glove to Lucy. Heather heard her name being called by none other than her favourite round-headed kid.
"Hi, Charlie Brown!" called Heather.
"Heather. I just wanna say, thank you for helping us win the game. That was like our first win ever!" said Charlie Brown.
"Anytime, Charlie Brown. I got the skills while I was at summer camp." Said Heather.
"How would you like to play for our baseball team all the time?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Oh, I would love to, Charlie Brown!" exclaimed Heather.
"Anyway, Lucy. You're cut!" said Charlie Brown.
"Rats! Oh well. At least I have all the money from selling those delicious cupcakes and ribbon badges." Said Lucy.
"Er, Lucy?" asked Heather.
"What is it now?" demanded Lucy.
"That money wasn't for you or me. It was for the people with cancer!"
"What?!" Lucy was surprised.
"I forgot to tell you." said Heather. "Janice is running a fundraiser to help people with cancer."
"That creepy kid who had leukaemia?! AAUGH! Take the money!" groaned Lucy.
"No. You keep it, Lucy." Said Heather sternly. "I don't wanna catch your crabbiness!"
Once Janice was ready to close up her booth, Heather came along with an empty tray.
"So, Heather. Did you sell all the badges and cupcakes?" asked Janice.
"Well, half of it." Said Heather.
"What do you mean half of it?" asked Janice.
"During the break, I gave the job to Lucy and took over her position in Charlie Brown's baseball team. And he's made me a permanent right fielder! Plus, we won the game!" said Heather.
"You gave the job to Lucy?! After the bad stuff she said to me?!" exclaimed Janice.
"She was failing to catch flyballs," said Heather. "so I had to take over."
"And you let her keep the money?!" added Janice.
"I didn't wanna catch her crabbiness, Janice." Said Heather.
"Anyway, I only have one orange badge, one green badge, two orange cupcakes, and two green cupcakes left." Said Janice.
"I'll buy the badges, Janice." Smiled Heather.
Heather gave four cents to Janice, and bought the orange ribbon badge and the lime ribbon badge.
"Thank you for your service, Heather." Said Janice.
"Anyway, Janice. Since you're a leukaemia survivor, I'll give you the orange ribbon badge." Suggested Heather.
"You're giving back my badge? Thanks, Heather." Smiled Janice.
Meanwhile, Marcie and Peppermint Patty walked out of the field towards Janice's booth.
"I told you not to fill up on cupcakes, Sir." Said Marcie.
"Oh, that was just dumb luck Chuck had there, Marcie." Smirked Peppermint Patty.
"Do you even know what cupcakes do to you, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"No, and I don't want to." Smiled Peppermint Patty.
The two girls returned to the cancer booth.
"That baseball game sure has built up an appetite." Said Peppermint Patty. "Two cupcakes, please! One orange, and one green."
"Er, Sir." Suggested Marcie. "I'll give you four cents, since you have two cents."
Peppermint Patty took the four cents from Marcie, and gave the six cents to Janice, and Janice gave the two different coloured cupcakes to Peppermint Patty.
"Here, Marcie." Said Peppermint Patty. You can have the green one. I'll have the orange cupcake."
"Thanks, Sir." Said Marcie. "I guess watching the game has made me hungry, Sir."
Once Peppermint Patty and Marcie left, Janice and Heather looked at each other.
"This sure has been an eventful day." Said Janice. "And look, two cupcakes left! Since you won the baseball game for Charlie Brown, I'll let you have the last one for free. And I'll have one too."
"Gee, thanks Janice!" smiled Heather.
Heather took the green cupcake, while Janice took the orange one.
"To the people with leukaemia!" cheered Janice.
"To the people with lymphoma!" cheered Heather.
"Cheers!" They both cheered.
Janice and Heather both tapped each other's cupcakes, and both ate them.
"That game sure has made me hungry." Charlie Brown said to himself. "Maybe I'll buy one cupcake."
Charlie Brown came to Janice's booth, and much to his disappointment, Heather and Janice had the last cupcakes.
"Oh, good grief! None left!" sighed Charlie Brown.
"Oh, don't worry, Charlie Brown." Said Heather sympathetically. "I'll make some more, and I promise to leave one for you."
"Now how else am I to raise funds for cancer patients? Anymore ideas, Heather?" asked Janice.
"I wonder too…" pondered Heather.
Later that day, Charlie Brown sat in the beanbag feeling satisfied that his team had won their very first baseball game with him. But he was most satisfied the girl of his dreams helped them. His thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Good grief! Who could that be?" Charlie Brown asked himself.
Charlie Brown got off the beanbag and went to open the door. He was surprised to see Janice. Janice was wearing an orange cancer ribbon badge on her shirt.
"Hello Charlie Brown." Said Janice. "Congratulations on your first baseball victory."
"Um…. Thanks, Janice." Said Charlie Brown. "And what are you doing here?"
"Heather and I have been thinking. Have you anymore ideas on how to raise funds?" asked Janice.
"We could throw a school fair." Suggested Charlie Brown.
"That's a great idea, Charlie Brown!" said Janice. "I'll tell the principal on Monday. Thanks for the advice."
Little did Charlie Brown and Janice notice that Heather was watching them through her bedroom window. She was intrigued by the idea of a fundraising school fair.
That Monday, Janice went to the principal's office to talk about the idea Charlie Brown gave her.
"Mr. Principal. Are you planning to hold a school fair?" asked Janice.
The principal said no.
"Because I have been thinking." Janice went on. "We can throw one to raise funds for people with cancer."
The principal pondered and agreed.
"That's wonderful!" Janice cheered.
At lunch time, Janice found Charlie Brown and Linus having lunch together.
"Hello Linus. Hello Charlie Brown." Said Janice.
"Hey Janice!" called Linus.
"The principal loves your idea for a school fair, Charlie Brown." Said Janice. "And thank you for the suggestion."
"Anytime, Janice." Said Charlie Brown. "Wanna take my seat?"
"Yes I would love to, Charlie Brown!" smiled Janice, since that meant she got to sit with Linus.
Charlie Brown got off the bench, and Janice sat down.
"Janice!" exclaimed Linus.
Then he thought….
"She's having lunch with me!"
"Charlie Brown! Oh, Charlie Brown!" called Heather.
Heather was standing by the swing set, calling for Charlie Brown to give her a push.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to…. Er…. Push Heather on the swing." said Charlie Brown as he left Linus and Janice in peace, and walked over to the swing set to give the girl of his dreams a push.
"Anyway, Janice." Said Linus. "If this school is going to have a fair, it's got to have things to make people want to go."
"This fair can have rides for people to go on, games for people to play, and food in case they get hungry." Said Janice.
"A fair is a great way to help people with cancer." Smiled Linus.
"Oh yeah. Prizes for players to win in games, and a shop if people want to buy stuff." Suggested Janice.
"Great ideas, Janice." Smiled Linus.
"They're great ideas, Linus. But…" pondered Janice.
"But what?" asked Linus.
We need posters to let people know about it and make them want to come." Added Janice.
While Linus and Janice were discussing about how to make people want to come to the fair, Heather sat on the swing, and Charlie Brown pushed her to make her sway back and forth, back and forth. Charlie Brown stood back, and watched the girl of his dreams swaying back and forth, and admiring her beautiful brilliant red hair flowing in the breeze and vibrant turquoise dress and aquamarine hairbow shining in the sun. Heather laughed, thinking it delightful that her favourite blockhead was pushing her on the swing.
When it was time to go back to class, it was art time. Janice already had something in her mind. And that something was making a poster to let people know about the school fair.
Miss Othmar called out to Janice.
"Yes, Miss Othmar?" asked Janice.
Miss Othmar asked Janice what she was doing.
"I'm making a poster to let people know about the school fair." Replied Janice.
Miss Othmar asked when it would be.
"How about this Saturday?" suggested Janice.
Miss Othmar agreed.
"Thank you, Miss Othmar!" called Janice.
Once the school day was over, Janice decided to go to the library to xerox the poster. She didn't colour the poster because she had an idea on how to make all the posters coloured. Once Janice was finished with xeroxing the poster…
"There. One hundred posters." Said Janice with satisfaction. "That should be enough just to paste over town."
Janice took the photocopied posters and went over to the Brown house and knocked on the door. Who should answer it but Sally.
"Yes, Janice?" asked Sally.
"Hello, Sally. Is your brother's dog home?" asked Janice.
"As always." Said Sally.
Janice went into the backyard to find Snoopy fast asleep on his doghouse.
"Good grief!" sighed Janice. "Snoopy! I need your help!"
Snoopy awoke to Janice's voice and saw what she had in her hands.
"Are you going to help me with these posters?" asked Janice.
Snoopy knew just what to do. He whistled to Woodstock and his friends. They all flew to the Browns' backyard and into Snoopy's doghouse. They got out coloured markers, examined the posters, and got to colouring the posters.
"I guess this is why Charlie Brown can't have a normal dog." Sighed Janice.
While Snoopy, Woodstock, and Woodstock's friends worked on the posters, Charlie Brown came outside to see.
"Janice? What are you doing here?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Thanks again for the idea for the school fair, Charlie Brown." Said Janice. "I'm asking Snoopy and his friends to colour posters to let people know about the fair."
"Oh, good grief!" sighed Charlie Brown.
"I know your dog isn't normal, Charlie Brown." Said Janice. "That's why I asked him and his little friends to help."
While Janice and Charlie Brown chatted about the idea, Sally heard the telephone. She got out of the beanbag and answered it.
"Hello?" said Sally. "Yes? Alright, I'll tell him. I'll leave the phone on."
Sally put the phone back on the table while still leaving it off the hook, and then, she went out to the back to see Charlie Brown and Janice talking.
"Big Brother!" called Sally.
"Yes, Sally?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Your future wife is on the phone!"
"Future wife?" Janice was puzzled.
"Now why would Heather be phoning me when she lives right across from me?" pondered Charlie Brown.
Then he said:
"Okay, Sally."
Charlie Brown went inside to pick up the phone Sally answered. He found the phone off the hook and picked it up.
"Heather?" Charlie Brown said.
"No. It's Marcie." The voice replied.
"Marcie? Now, why would you be calling me at this hour?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Peppermint Patty would phone you, Charles, but she's too busy practicing for the next baseball game." Said Marcie.
"So is it about the next baseball game?" asked Charlie Brown.
"No, Charles." Said Marcie. "I hate playing baseball. It's about something else. Our school is throwing a dance next Friday, and it'll be a contest. And I was thinking….. would you like to go to the school dance?"
"That's a wonderful idea, Marcie!" said Charlie Brown. He thought it would be a great idea for a fundraiser.
"Oh, and there are prizes too, Charles." Finished Marcie.
"Anything you say, Marcie." Said Charlie Brown.
Both Charlie Brown and Marcie hung up on each other.
"I hope to win the dance contest, and if Charles wins, I'll finally get the chance to dance with him." Marcie said gleefully.
"Can't wait to tell Heather about the school dance that Peppermint Patty and Marcie are throwing at their school." Said Charlie Brown. And if I ask her to the dance, she's sure to say yes. And I'll tell Janice about it too."
Charlie Brown went out to the backyard, and told Janice and Sally all about what Marcie told him.
"A school dance? At their school? That's a wonderful idea, Charlie Brown. I can make it a fundraising dance!" suggested Janice.
"Ooh! Can't wait to ask my sweet babboo if he wants to go with me!" smiled Sally.
After hearing what Sally had just said, Janice giggled.
"Silly Sally," said Janice. "you can't bring monkeys to a school dance!"
"No, Janice! Not Baboon! Babboo! That's what I call my boyfriend Linus." Said Sally.
'But he told you he's not your boyfriend." Said Janice.
"He is, but he isn't, but he is." Smirked Sally.
Once Snoopy and his friends were finished, Janice took the posters.
"Thanks for your help, Snoopy." Said Janice.
Woodstock looked up at Janice and cleared his throat.
"Oh. You too…. Er….." Janice stammered, not knowing the bird's name.
"His name is Woodstock." Charlie Brown explained.
"Thank you too, Woodstock, and your little friends." Smiled Janice.
Janice patted Woodstock's head, then she patted the heads of Woodstock's friends, and then, she patted Snoopy's head.
"Now, let's go and put up these posters." Janice said as she, Charlie and Sally Brown went out to put the posters around town to let people know about the school fair.
The following day, when school was finished for the day, Marcie and Peppermint Patty were on their way home. Peppermint Patty saw a poster outside the toy store.
"Look, Marcie!" said Peppermint Patty. "There's a school fair."
Peppermint Patty read the poster, and…..
"There'll be a roller coaster, carnival games, everything! Hosted by Chuck's school. And it's this weekend!"
"Do you think we should go, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"Well…. Since there's no baseball game this weekend, let's go!" Peppermint Patty said happily.
"I'm right behind you, Sir." Said Marcie.
Over at Schroeder's place, Schroeder was playing his piano where Violet sat at the end.
"Schroeder, since there's a school fair going on this weekend, are you willing to go with me? If not, then I wouldn't mind going with Patty." Violet said.
"Fine. Go with Patty." Said Schroeder simply.
"Rats!" groaned Violet. "Either way, do you think there'll be a tunnel of love? Because I think that would be lovely."
Schroeder just ignored Violet, and while he continued to play his piano, who should come in but Lucy.
"Violet!" shouted Lucy. "What are you doing here?"
"If you really want to know, Lucy, then it's because I like music." Answered Violet.
"If you're going to stay here, you have to like Beethoven." Lucy told her.
"I like Beethoven alright, so I'm staying here." Violet said smugly.
"Rats!" Lucy grunted.
Despite Violet's company, Lucy decided to rest at the end of Schroeder's piano. Schroeder looked at the two raven-haired girls and pulled his piano away, causing them to land on their backs.
"Way to blow it, Lucy!" muttered Violet.
So Schroeder set his piano back up and continued to play, and Lucy and Violet continued to rest at the end.
Meanwhile, Janice was making her way home when she heard some beautiful music.
"Where is that beautiful music coming from?" Janice asked herself.
Janice dreamily followed the music with her ears. The music was coming from Schroeder's house. Janice walked over to Schroeder's piano, and as she got there…..
"Violet! Look out! "cried Lucy. "It's that girl who had leukaemia!"
"Let's get out of here! We don't wanna catch cancer too!" Violet exclaimed.
The two raven-haired girls ran out of Schroeder's house as quickly as they could.
"Do I know you?" Schroeder asked Janice.
"The name's Janice." She smiled. "And you, I hear, are Schroeder."
Schroeder looked up at Janice, and admired her long beautiful blonde hair, and the bright pink bow sitting on top of it.
"You…. you're pretty." He told her.
"Thanks, Schroeder." Smiled Janice. "By the way, are you willing to play any music at the school fair this weekend?"
"Sure." Said Schroeder. "I always play music at public events."
"That should help attract more people." Replied Janice.
"Talk about a change of pace!" exclaimed Schroeder. "A girl wanting to talk about something unrelated to love!"
"Love? That's alright, Schroeder." Smiled Janice. "I'm not interested in you anyway. I'm more interested in Lucy's brother. I only came to suggest playing music at the school fair this weekend."
"That's a relief." Sighed Schroeder. "And yes. I will play music at the school fair."
The day of the school fair came. There were rides everywhere. There were stalls containing food. There were carnival games. Janice sat at the entrance, waiting for people to come. Entry cost $5.
Lucy came to the entrance, and was shocked to see who was at the entrance.
"Oh look! It's that creepy kid who had cancer!" groaned Lucy.
"Oh, how mature, Lucy!" Janice said sarcastically. "Your brother told me about your behaviour."
"Either way, I'm here to join in the fun." Smiled Lucy.
"What is more, there's a handsome piano player." Janice told her.
"Piano player? Oh, Schroeder is here!" Lucy said happily.
"Five dollars please." Janice told Lucy.
And Lucy got out a five dollar note and she paid it to Janice.
"Thank you, Lucy. Go right in."
As Lucy entered the fair, the next people to come were Janice's two sisters, Lindsey, her older Patty-like sister, and Britney, her younger Frieda-like sister.
"Janice?" said Britney.
"Are you running this fair?" asked Lindsey.
"I am." Janice replied. "Though this idea wasn't exactly mine. It was Charlie Brown's idea."
"Though it's still a great idea, Janice." Said Lindsey.
"How much to get in?" asked Britney.
"For most of the guests, I would charge five dollars each, but because you're my sisters, admission is free for you." smiled Janice.
"Wow!" exclaimed Lindsey.
"Thanks, Janice!" added Britney.
The next person to arrive was Sally.
"Hi Sally." Said Janice.
"Hello Janice." Said Sally. "It was wonderful of my big brother to suggest this school fair."
"More money to help sick people." Said Janice.
"Anyway, Janice. Is my sweet babboo here?" asked Sally innocently.
"No, Sally! There's no monkeys at this fair!" giggled Janice.
"No! Not Baboon! Babboo!" Sally corrected.
"Oh yeah." Said Janice. "You're talking about Linus. He already went in before his sister. Because he helped me during my chemotherapy, I gave him free admission."
Sally started to walk in when…..
"Five dollars, please." Janice demanded.
"Oh I'm not alone." Smirked Sally.
"Who else is here?" pondered Janice.
The someone else was Charlie Brown, who was following Sally to the school fair.
"Right here, Janice!" called Charlie Brown.
"Oh, Charlie Brown! Ten dollars please." Janice demanded.
"Alright then, Janice." Said Charlie Brown as he got out two $5 notes, and gave them to Janice.
"Thank you, Charlie Brown. You and your sister can go right in."
Charlie Brown and Sally continued, and looked at all the games, rides, and things to do. Sally was looking around for a ride that would be ideal for her. Then…..
"Ooh! There's the Tunnel of Love!" Sally squealed.
"Tunnel of Love! Oh, I hope Heather wants to go with me." Charlie Brown said dreamily.
"And I know just who to go on that ride with." Said Sally as she wandered off to find Linus.
Linus was on his own. He saw the flower stall, and heard a familiar singing voice.
"I've heard that voice before, but where?" Linus pondered.
"Ooooooo Miioo Babbino Caaaaro….." the voice sang.
Linus walked towards the voice, and there, at the stall, was a blonde girl with her hair in small pigtails, dressed in a white garden hat with a fuchsia band, and dressed in a fuchsia shirt, a white skirt, and fuchsia shoes.
"Mimi!" exclaimed Linus.
"Was that….." Mimi pondered as she looked up and saw…..
"Linus!"
"Mimi! Long time no see! What are you doing here?" Linus exclaimed.
"I'm here visiting my grandmother," said Mimi. "and my parents saw a poster about this school fair, so I thought I'd come and open a flower stall."
"It's a pleasure meeting you again, Mimi!" smiled Linus.
As Linus and Mimi were about to continue chatting, a familiar voice was heard.
"Yoohoo, Linus!" called Sally. "Your sweet babboo!"
"Oh no!" groaned Linus.
"Sweet Babboo?!" pondered Mimi, never hearing that term before.
Much to Linus' dismay, there, walking towards him and Mimi, was Sally.
"There's a Tunnel of Love, and I thought I'd bring my boyfriend on the ride with me." said Sally.
"I am NOT your boyfriend!" grouched Linus.
"Yes you are!" huffed Sally.
"No he's not!" called Mimi.
"Huh?! Who are you?" Sally demanded.
"I'm Mimi. I came to Linus' birthday party once." Mimi answered.
"It was her beautiful singing voice that brought me to her." Linus swooned.
"Either way, I've come to take Linus to the Tunnel of Love." Said Sally.
"Tunnel of Love?" pondered Mimi.
"Oh no you don't, Sally!" huffed Linus as he ran away, with Sally chasing after him.
"We can sit in a boat together, we can hold hands, and we can do an Eskimo kiss!" Sally called as she gave chase.
"AAUGH!" Linus screamed.
Meanwhile, at the music stall, Schroeder was sitting there, with his piano. It was thanks to Janice's idea about music. He was going to play music for any customers. Much to his dismay, one of his customers was Lucy.
"Oh, Schroeder!" Lucy cajoled.
Schroeder looked up and…..
"Oh good grief!" he groaned.
"Schroeder, will you play me some music?" Lucy demanded.
"Okay, but you need to pay five dollars." Said Schroeder.
"Five dollars?!" exclaimed Lucy.
And then she thought….
"Quiet, Lucy you blockhead! Remember the money you earned last weekend."
Then she spoke;
"Okay, Schroeder."
Lucy gave Schroeder a five dollar note, and Schroeder cracked his fingers, but…..
"What music do you wish for me to play?" asked Schroeder.
"Oh….." Said Lucy, but just as she was about to decide, another one to come and pay for music was Violet.
"Step aside, Lucy!" called Violet. She then turned to Schroeder.
"Oh, Schroeder!" she cajoled.
"Oh, good grief! Another girl!" groaned Schroeder.
"Schroeder, play a little something for me. Something along the lines of Für Elise." Suggested Violet.
"Alright, but that'll be five dollars." Said Schroeder.
"Deal!" exclaimed Violet.
Violet got out a five-dollar bill, and gave it to Schroeder. Schroeder started to play the music.
"Rats! Why didn't I think of that?!" huffed Lucy.
"Maybe because my family is richer than yours!" boasted Violet.
Schroeder continued to play his music when a smitten Violet rested at the end of the piano, waiting for the music to finish.
"Ah. What beautiful Beethoven music." Sighed Violet.
When Schroeder had finished, Violet kissed Schroeder's nose.
"UGH! A girl kissed me!" groaned Schroeder. He was so disgusted that he ran away.
"Way to blow it, Violet!" huffed Lucy.
At the entrance, Janice was waiting for more visitors when three kids came along. These were Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Franklin.
"Marcie, Peppermint Patty, Franklin! Hello!" called Janice.
"Read the posters for this fair, Janice." Said Peppermint Patty.
"And we thought we'd come along for the fun." Added Franklin.
"And it's being hosted by Charles' school." Smiled Marcie.
"That'll be five dollars from all of you." said Janice.
Peppermint Patty, Marcie and Franklin each gave five dollars to Janice, and entered.
"You may enter." Smiled Janice.
Next, Snoopy and his little friend Woodstock came to the fair, and Snoopy was about to pay when….
"Snoopy," said Janice. "since you helped me with these posters, Yes Dogs Allowed, and you can come in for free."
Snoopy was so happy, he let out a cheer, and Woodstock chittered too.
While Franklin went to find a game, both Marcie and Peppermint Patty went their own way.
"Which ride do you think we should go on, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"Let's go on the Ferris wheel, Marcie." Suggested Peppermint Patty.
"Anything you say, Sir. Riding on the Ferris Wheel sounds like a blast." Smiled Marcie.
After paying to get on, Marcie and Peppermint Patty got on the Ferris Wheel, and looked around the fair.
"Let's see if Chuck is at this fair." Peppermint Patty said.
"He would have to be here, Sir. It's his school." Said Marcie.
As they went higher, Peppermint Patty looked towards the Tunnel of Love, and…..
"There's Chuck! What's he doing?" cried Peppermint Patty.
"He's going into the Tunnel of Love, Sir." Said Marcie.
"Without me?! AAUGH!" screamed Peppermint Patty.
When Charlie Brown had reached the end of the line to the Tunnel of Love, there, collecting money, was…
"Heather?!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Hi, Charlie Brown! Wanna ride?" asked Heather innocently.
"I….. I didn't know you were working here!" said Charlie Brown with a surprised look on his face.
"Gotta earn a profit, Charlie Brown." Heather explained.
"That means….. I have to ride on my own." Sighed Charlie Brown.
"I'm afraid so, Charlie Brown. Normally I would charge five dollars for this ride, but I'll let you ride for free." Said Heather.
"That's alright! I'll pay for him!" called a voice.
"Pay for him?" Heather was puzzled.
Charlie Brown turned around, and saw a girl he hadn't seen in a long time. A girl with brown hair in a similar style to Heather's, but wears a bright green bow in it, and is wearing the same outfit as Heather, except her dress and socks match the bow in her hair, and the bow around her waist is white, and the Mary Janes she's wearing are the same as Heather's.
"Peggy Jean!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"Peggy Jean?!" Heather exclaimed too.
"Hi Brownie Charles! Long time no see!" called Peggy Jean.
"Brownie Charles?!" Exclaimed Heather, confused by Peggy Jean's name for Charlie Brown.
"Peggy Jean! What are you doing here?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Saw a poster for this school fair, Brownie Charles, and I thought I'd come." Peggy Jean explained.
"Er, Peggy Jean? You know Charlie Brown?" asked Heather.
"Charlie Brown? But he told me his name was Brownie Charles!" Peggy Jean said.
"I….. er…. I was too nervous to say my real name, so I introduced myself as Brownie Charles." Charlie Brown explained.
"Brownie Charles and I go back." Peggy Jean said.
"Alright. Just this once, Charlie Brown. Ten dollars please, Peggy Jean." Heather demanded.
Peggy Jean paid up ten dollars, and she escorted Charlie Brown to the tunnel of love to look for a boat for them to ride in. Both Charlie Brown and Peggy Jean took a boat, and through the tunnel they went.
"So…. Still going out with that boyfriend of yours, Peggy Jean?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Yes," answered Peggy Jean. "but unfortunately, he didn't want to come with me, Brownie Charles. You'd like him."
"That's alright, Peggy Jean." Charlie Brown sighed.
"Still hurt by me mentioning my boyfriend, Brownie Charles?" asked Peggy Jean.
"No." said Charlie Brown. "As long as that Little Red-Haired Girl is with me, she's enough to keep a blockhead like me happy."
"The girl in charge of this ride?" asked Peggy Jean.
"Yes. You'd like her." Charlie Brown smiled.
When it was time for the school fair to close, Janice counted all the money she'd earned from all the guests, and….
"Wow! Fifty-five thousand dollars!" exclaimed Janice. "This is sure to help the people with leukaemia and lymphoma!"
Janice went home with all the money she'd earned from the school fair, and saw her sisters waiting for her.
"So how much did you earn, Janice?" Britney asked.
"Fifty-five thousand dollars! Lots of money for cancer patients." Said Janice.
"Well, Janice." Said Britney. "There's more to cancer than just leukaemia and lymphoma, so….."
"I know! Charlie Brown has some friends throwing a school dance at their school, and he suggested making it a fundraising dance!" Janice explained excitedly.
The following Friday, the day of the school dance arrived. Janice got herself dressed for the dance. Thanks to Charlie Brown telling her about it, and thanks to her sisters helping out, Janice had extra boxes of cancer ribbon badges. There were twelve boxes. One box contained orange ribbons to help support people diagnosed with leukaemia and kidney cancer. One contained lime ribbons for people with lymphoma. Another with red ribbons to support people with cancer in general. All different coloured cancer ribbons.
"If this dance goes well, I am sure to earn even more money to help people with cancer." Smiled Janice.
Heather had baked hundreds more cupcakes. After Janice had told her that there's more to cancer than just leukaemia, she coated different coloured icing on different cupcakes. Some had red icing, some had yellow icing, some had blue icing, some even had pink icing.
"This should be just enough to feed the hungry dancegoers." Said Heather.
Heather's mother asked her what the cupcakes were for.
"They're for a school dance, Mom!" Heather explained.
Then, her mother offered a lift.
"Yes, I would like a lift, Mom!" Heather answered, knowing she couldn't carry all the cupcakes on her own.
At the dance, Marcie and Peppermint Patty stood out the front of their school to greet the guests. They were most surprised to see their first guest.
"Floyd?!" exclaimed Marcie.
"Hi, Lambcake!" called Floyd.
Marcie was so angry, she prepared to slug Floyd, but Peppermint Patty held her arm.
"Marcie! This is a dance, not a boxing ring!" called Peppermint Patty.
"He just insulted me, Sir." Said Marcie.
"It's not an insult, Marcie! It's my way of saying I like you." Floyd explained.
"Never mind about Marcie. Go on in, Floyd. Enjoy yourself!" smiled Peppermint Patty.
"Thanks for the advice, Sir." Called Floyd.
"And don't call me Sir!" demanded Peppermint Patty.
"Seriously, Sir? You'll let me call you Sir, but you won't let that lambcake call you Sir?" Marcie was confused.
"Marcie, didn't I already tell you you're the only one who can call me Sir?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"You're extremely weird, Sir." Said Marcie.
The next guest to arrive was Janice, and she was pulling a wagon full of the boxes of cancer ribbon badge.
"Janice! What's with the ribbons?" asked Marcie.
"They're to make this dance a fundraiser for the people diagnosed with cancer." Said Janice.
"Is that what your booth was for?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"Of course, Peppermint Patty." Janice answered.
"That's a clever idea, Janice!" exclaimed Peppermint Patty.
"Come on. Let's help these ribbons on the table." Said Janice
And so the three girls unloaded the wagon, and placed them onto the table outside the gym.
"These ribbons will cost one dollar each." Said Janice.
"One dollar?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"Sounds like a great deal, Sir." Said Marcie.
"I'll get a sign and let the dancegoers know." Janice suggested.
Next, Heather arrived. Though she'd brought the cupcakes, she couldn't carry them on her own.
"Heather!" exclaimed Peppermint Patty.
"Peppermint Patty!" cried Heather.
"Need a hand?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"Of course, Peppermint Patty." Answered Heather.
"Chuck is bound to like me if he catches me helping his Little Red-Haired Girl." Peppermint Patty thought to herself.
Heather led Peppermint Patty to her mother's car, and both prepared to carry the cupcakes into the gym where the dance was.
"And by the way, each cupcake will cost a dollar each, just like the badges." Heather explained.
After Heather and Peppermint Patty had finished unloading the cupcakes, another guest arrived. This was Lucy van Pelt.
"Hey, Lucille! What are you doing here?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"Charlie Brown told our school about this school dance, and we decided to come." Lucy explained.
"We?!" Peppermint Patty was confused.
"I think she means Charles' entire school, Sir." Explained Marcie.
"Oh good grief!" sighed Peppermint Patty.
"More funds for the cancer people." Smiled Heather.
Next, Pig-Pen arrived, and he was filthy. He walked past Marcie, and Marcie coughed from the dust. Then, Violet and her friend Patty came in.
"I hope to win this contest, and I hope Pig-Pen wins too." Smiled Patty Swanson.
"Seriously, Patty? Pig-Pen's a disgrace!" groaned Violet.
Once Patty and Violet entered the gymnasium, the next guest to come was…..
"Peggy Jean?" exclaimed Heather.
Peggy Jean turned her attention to Heather.
"Oh. You're that Little Red-Haired Girl Brownie Charles told me about." Peggy Jean said.
"My name is actually Heather. Yeah, Heather Wold." Said Heather, properly introducing herself.
"By the way, Brownie Charles told me about this dance." Peggy Jean said.
"And I assume you want to dance with him, right?" Heather asked.
"That's alright, Heather. I'm not interested in Brownie Charles anymore." Said Peggy Jean.
"That's alright then." Said Heather.
Coming in next was Frieda.
"Frieda?!" said Peppermint Patty.
"Heard there's a contest going on in this school dance. I'm sure to win, using my naturally curly hair at my advantage." Smirked Frieda.
Much later, just before the school dance could even start, coming to Peppermint Patty's school, was Good Ol' Charlie Brown and his dog Snoopy, and Snoopy's sidekick Woodstock.
"Can't wait to win this competition. Can't mess it up like last time." Said Charlie Brown.
Snoopy looked up at Charlie Brown in confusion, but then, remembered the one time there was a school dance, Charlie Brown's shoe came off his foot, and started the fire sprinklers.
"If Heather and I win this competition, we'll dance together! I can feel it!" Charlie Brown smiled with determination.
As soon as Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock arrived, they saw…..
"She's here!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
Charlie Brown saw Heather waiting outside the gym.
"Charlie Brown! You made it!" cried Heather.
"Hi, Chuck!" said Peppermint Patty.
"Welcome to our school dance, Charles!" added Marcie.
"Oh. I see you brought Snoopy." Said Heather.
"That's okay. Snoopy helped out with this fundraiser, so I'm letting him in." smiled Janice.
"I'm so glad you could make it, Chuck! Gimme five!" smiled Peppermint Patty.
Peppermint Patty held out her hand, and then, Charlie Brown hit the palm with his own.
"You touched my hand, Chuck! You are a sly dog!" called Peppermint Patty.
Meanwhile, inside the gymnasium, all the dancegoers were there, waiting for the music to start. Sally looked along the boys, and much to her surprise, there was Linus.
"Oh no!" groaned Linus.
"Oh, Sweet Babboo!" cajoled Sally.
"I am not your sweet babboo!" groaned Linus.
"Yes you are! Come on!" called Sally as she grabbed Linus' hand, and they both got onto the dance floor. With this, "Better When I'm Dancing" played, and all the kids got onto the dance floor, dancing their own unique dance moves. This didn't go without Charlie Brown coming into the gym.
"They're all dancing without me! Ah well. Better make the most of it." Suggested Charlie Brown as he walked over to the dance floor to dance in his own unique dance style. The only kid to not dance was Peggy Jean.
"Where's Brownie Charles?" She thought.
"Peggy Jean?!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
Peggy Jean turned around and saw…
"Hi, Brownie Charles! Come join the fun!" she called.
"Alright, Peggy Jean."
And both Charlie Brown and Peggy Jean got onto the dance floor. And they all danced their own unique dance style.
Soon, it was time for the dance contest. Charlie Brown looked at his shoes to ensure they were tied properly.
"Good." Thought Charlie Brown.
The first contestant was Sally. She simply danced around in her unique dance style.
"My sister sure can dance." Thought Charlie Brown.
Next up was Heather.
"Come on, Heather! Do it for Good Ol' Charlie Brown!" begged Charlie Brown.
Heather did her ballerina moves.
The next contestant was Violet. She just danced in the same style as Three and Four.
The next was Peggy Jean. She danced in the same style as a tango dancer.
Up next was the Little Pigtailed Girl, Rerun's classmate. She danced the same way Violet did, only adding Frieda's moves.
When it seemed like all the girls were finished, there was only one girl left. And that girl was… Janice.
"Janice?" exclaimed Charlie Brown. "But….. But….."
Janice had seen all the dance moves, and she tried to think of a unique dance style.
"Think, Janice, think. I know!" She decided.
First, Janice danced in the same style as Violet's friend Patty. Next, she danced in the same style as Violet. Then, she danced in the same way as Heather. Next, danced like Sally. And lastly, she danced like a figure skater, spinning round and around.
"And, the girl who wins this contest is…." Announced Peppermint Patty.
"Come on! Let it be Heather!" Charlie Brown thought.
"Janice Emmons!" Peppermint Patty announced. "Come on up, Janice, and get your trophy!"
"What?! Heather didn't win?! But she danced so gracefully!" Charlie Brown groaned.
Next, it was time for the boys to show off their dance moves.
The first one up was Snoopy. He was dressed in a blue sweatband and a purple shirt. He got on the dance floor, and danced in Flashbeagle style.
"Hey! There's Flashbeagle!" called Peppermint Patty.
"So now you remember that Snoopy's a beagle, Sir." Exclaimed Marcie.
Up next was Lucy's younger brother Linus. He had his security blanket out, and started his own unique dance moves, and he wrapped himself in his blanket. Then, he spun about by pulling on his blanket.
Next, was Lucy's even younger brother Rerun.
"Come on, Rerun. Think. Try not to copy your brother. I know!"
And Rerun started to spin in circles, and then, did some jump steps.
Next was Pig-Pen.
"Of course! A hoedown!" suggested Pig-Pen.
Pig-Pen started dancing the hoedown.
All the other boys had finished their dance moves, and at last, it was Charlie Brown's turn.
"Oh, I don't wanna dance with Janice. I wanted to dance with Heather." Thought Charlie Brown.
"Come on, Big Brother! You're up!" called Sally.
"Alright then. Hope Heather doesn't mind me dancing with Janice. Come on, Charlie Brown." He thought to himself.
Charlie Brown got on the dance floor, and danced his own unique dance he did at the other school dance. He didn't want to dance with Janice, but he didn't want Heather to view him as a failure. At last, Charlie Brown finished, with no mess ups.
"And the boy who wins this contest is…" Peppermint Patty began.
"Don't be me!" begged Charlie Brown.
"Charlie Brown, who will dance with Janice!" Peppermint Patty finished.
"Oh, good grief!" groaned Charlie Brown.
"Charlie Brown?!" cried Janice.
"But….. but….." Linus stammered.
"Come on, Chuck! Come and get your trophy!" Peppermint Patty called.
"Okay." Sighed Charlie Brown.
As Charlie Brown walked up to claim his prize, he made an announcement.
"Thank you, everyone." Said Charlie Brown. But there's just one thing."
"What's that, Chuck?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"I don't deserve this trophy." Charlie Brown sighed.
All the other kids gasped.
"Of course you do, Chuck! You danced so well!" said Peppermint Patty.
"Yes, but….." Charlie Brown began. "I don't wanna dance with Janice."
He then turned to Linus.
"Linus, will you dance with Janice for me?"
"Me?!" exclaimed Linus.
"Yes, Linus." Charlie Brown answered.
"Of course, Charlie Brown!" exclaimed Linus with excitement.
So with that, Linus got onto the dance floor, and Janice joined in too.
"Janice!" Linus said.
"Linus!" Janice replied dreamily.
Both Janice and Linus grabbed each other's hands, and they started dancing elegantly. Sally watched on sadly. She burst into tears.
"My sweet babboo is such a grand dancer!" sobbed Sally.
Linus was too happy to be dancing with Janice to take any notice of Sally calling him her pet name. Linus held Janice by the back, and gazed at her beautiful eyes.
"Janice." Smiled Linus.
"Linus. This is the perfect evening!" Janice replied dreamily.
Once Linus and Janice had finished their dance, they both received applause, and Heather made an official announcement.
"Who wants cupcakes and badges?"
All the other kids ran to each get a cancer ribbon and a cupcake. Paid one dollar for each, and then Janice walked up to the table.
"Wow! They just keep giving and giving!" Janice cried.
But there was one kid who didn't get a cupcake or a cancer ribbon badge, and that was Good Ol' Charlie Brown. While he was pleased to have won the dance contest and the trophy, he was still disappointed that Heather didn't win this dance contest. Charlie Brown just sat down on a chair, feeling depressed as usual.
"I still can't believe it." Charlie Brown sighed. "Heather lost. And I didn't get anything but this trophy."
Once the dance was over, as all the other dancegoers departed, Linus came up to Charlie Brown.
"Thanks for sacrificing your chance, Charlie Brown." Smiled Linus.
"I knew you had a thing for Janice," said Charlie Brown. "so I let you have the chance. Plus, I wanted to dance with Heather."
"Oh, Charlie Brown. You might get that chance again one day." Smiled Linus.
"I guess you're right, Linus." Replied Charlie Brown.
"Thanks again, Charlie Brown." Said Linus gratefully.
"Anything for my best friend." Smiled Charlie Brown.
As Linus walked out, Janice came out with her trophy, and found Charlie Brown sitting down, looking rather depressed.
"Hi, Charlie Brown." Said Janice.
"Hi, Janice." Said Charlie Brown.
"Cheer up, Charlie Brown." Smiled Janice. "At least you won the trophy."
"Yeah, but the trophy means nothing to me." said Charlie Brown.
"It does mean something to you." said Janice. "You actually did something good. You gave up your chance to dance with me to Linus. That was very kind of you. Plus, your idea to bring us to this dance helped to raise more money for the cancer patients."
"Oh yes. And by the way, I had a reason to sacrifice my chance to dance with you." Charlie Brown started.
"What's that?" asked Janice.
"I wanted to dance with Heather." Sighed Charlie Brown.
"Oh, you'll get that dance chance again another night, Charlie Brown." Smiled Janice. "Well, goodnight."
"Goodnight, Janice. And congratulations." Called Charlie Brown.
"Congratulations to you too, Charlie Brown!" smiled Janice.
Soon, Heather walked up to Charlie Brown. She could see that he was feeling depressed.
"Hi Charlie Brown." Said Heather.
"Hi, Heather." Replied Charlie Brown.
"What's wrong, Charlie Brown?" asked Heather with a sympathetic expression.
"I can't believe you lost the contest." Said Charlie Brown.
"Oh, don't feel bad about it, Charlie Brown. You won. That's all that matters." Smiled Heather.
"Yes I did, Heather. But that meant I had to dance with Janice." Charlie Brown explained.
"Yeah, and….?"
Charlie Brown plucked up the courage to explain to Heather why he sacrificed his chance to dance with Janice.
"I wanted to dance with you!" Charlie Brown explained.
"Oh, that's so sweet, Charlie Brown." Heather smiled with a melting heart. "I wanted to dance with you too."
"Here, Heather." Said Charlie Brown, offering Heather the trophy. "This trophy belongs to you."
"No, Charlie Brown." Said Heather, politely refusing the trophy. "You deserve it. I already have a dance trophy from that other dance contest I won. Plus, you sacrificed your chance to dance with Janice just for me. That's even sweeter."
"Oh yeah." Said Charlie Brown. "And also, I didn't even get a cancer ribbon badge or a cupcake."
"Oh, I don't know about that!" smirked Heather as she brought out her hands and showed Charlie Brown a red cancer ribbon badge and a cupcake with yellow icing with a black zigzag. Charlie Brown was surprised.
"For you, Charlie Brown."
"Oh, Heather! You shouldn't have!" exclaimed Charlie Brown as he got up and hugged Heather. Heather, feeling the hug, blushed as red as her hair. Then, she gave Charlie Brown the cupcake and badge. As Charlie Brown munched on his cupcake, Heather gave him a gentle kiss on his right cheek. Charlie Brown, feeling the kiss, blushed even redder than her hair.
"You like that, Charlie Brown?" asked Heather.
"Yes I do!" sighed Charlie Brown happily.
"Anyway, Charlie Brown. When you're finished with that, let's dance. Just you and me." Heather decided.
"Alright, Heather." Smiled Charlie Brown.
After Charlie Brown finished his cupcake and put his ribbon badge into his pocket, he grabbed Heather's hands, and then, they both danced a gentle waltz.
"I'm doing it! I am dancing with Heather!" Charlie Brown thought happily.
"This has made my evening even better. I may have lost, but at least I'm dancing with Charlie Brown." Thought Heather.
"This has made my evening." Smiled Charlie Brown.
The next day, Linus was sitting on the park bench holding a gift wrapped in blue paper and a pink ribbon. Just then, Janice arrived.
"Hi, Linus." Said Janice.
"Janice! Hello!" called Linus.
"That was such a beautiful dance you did with me last night, Linus." Smiled Janice.
"I'm pleased to have done it." Said Linus.
"It was kind of Charlie Brown to sacrifice his chance to dance with me to you." smiled Janice.
"I am pleased to call Charlie Brown my best friend." Sighed Linus happily.
"What's that in your hands?" Janice asked, noticing the gift.
"It's for you, Janice." Said Linus. "The money I was given was too much for cupcakes and ribbons, so I decided to use it for a little something for you."
Linus handed the gift to Janice, and Janice opened it. And inside was a rainbow security blanket.
"Linus! You shouldn't have! My very own blanket!" Janice exclaimed.
Janice held the blanket the same way Linus holds his, and started feeling comfortable.
"It's so soft, and it makes me feel safer." Janice sighed happily.
"Glad you like it, Janice." Smiled Linus.
Janice looked around to ensure Sally wasn't around. Fortunately for her, no Sally.
"Thank you for giving me this blanket, Linus." said Janice gleefully. "…..my Sweet Babboo!"
Janice kissed Linus' left cheek. Linus was so surprised, his hair raised, and he proceeded to blush. He had the best night of his life, and so did Janice.