CHAPTER 4: PLANNING TO INTERVENE

The next day, Frieda was talking to the gang about doing an intervention to get Carla off cocaine. The kids, Serpent Sisters and Spiders included, had never dealt with any kind of drugs, even when they were doing vandalism. All were wondering how they could talk to her about her habit without her shutting everyone out. Frieda was open to all suggestions.

"Maybe we could invite her to Joe's," suggested Shermy.

"That wouldn't be intimate enough, babe," said Violet.

"We need somebody's home where we can talk to her and make her comfortable," said Charlie Brown.

"Well, it can't be my house," said Rattler. "My parents' fights are getting worse."

"They're STILL fighting, Rattler?!" asked a bewildered Lucy.

"Yeah, and I'm worried, Mamba," Rattler replied.

"We could try my place," suggested Charlie Brown. "My folks made the basement the hangout spot for us, as of recently."

"Not a bad idea, Charlie Brown," said Linus. "Your parents are pretty level-headed about handling situations like this, as well."

"Are you sure, babe?" asked Frieda.

"Carla is your friend, Frieda," said Charlie Brown. "I want to help as much as I can."

"Oh, thank you so much, love!" Frieda kissed Charlie Brown.

"Then it's settled," said Schroeder. "The intervention will happen at Charlie Brown's place."

"Okay, who will get Carla, though?" asked Peppermint Patty.

"How about you, Frieda?" suggested Cobra. "You're the closest to her and she trusts you."

"I could," said Frieda. "Okay, I'll convince her to go to Charlie Brown's house."

"So, it's all settled," said Lucy. "Frieda will get Carla to Charlie Brown's house so we can convince her to stop doing drugs." And everyone all went to the Brown's home, while Frieda went to Carla's house to see her.

Elsewhere, Vanessa and Mitchell were walking through Sparkyville Park looking at the Christmas decorations that were up. They had planned a date before the meeting about the intervention, but promised that they would help in any way.

"Too bad about your new friend," said Mitchell.

"Yeah, I only met her, but she seems like a nice girl," Vanessa replied. "Other than that, how are you enjoying our date?"

"I'm loving it, Vanessa. You are a wonderful girl."

"Thank you. You don't mind dating the daughter of a cop? You know what they say about those girls who have police for fathers?"

"I think your dad would like me."

"I know I do, Mitchie." And Vanessa leaned in and kissed Mitchell, making him smile and blush.

"You're a great kisser, Vanessa."

"I hope to kiss those lips some more, baby." And Vanessa and Mitchell continued to walk around the park.

Frieda had made it to Carla's house. She rang the doorbell. Her mother answered the door. Frieda was surprised to see that her mother was home. Hopefully her mom could help in talking some sense into her daughter.

"Frieda," said Carla's mother. "Are you here to see Carla?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Frieda. "Is she here?"

"She should be in her room." And they went to Carla's room and knocked on the door.

"Carla?" her mother said. "Frieda's here to see you."

"Carla?" Frieda said. "Is everything okay?" They knocked on the door, but received no answer. Luckily the door was open. But when they opened it, they found Carla passed out.

"OH MY GOD!" shrieked Carla's mother. "CARLA, BABY! SPEAK TO ME!"

Frieda pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911 immediately. "Hello, 911? We need an ambulance at 670 Mendelson Avenue. We got a passed-out teen. Possible drug overdose. Hurry!" And Frieda hung up.

"DRUG OVERDOSE?!" asked Carla's mother.

"That's why I'm here, ma'am!" said Frieda. "I saw your daughter doing cocaine yesterday."

"COCAINE?!"

"Keep her sat up so she can breathe! She still breathing, isn't she?!" She listened to her daughter's labored breathing.

"She is, but barely!" At that moment, the ambulance pulled up and came in to work on Carla.

NEXT CHAPTER: SAVING CARLA