CHAPTER 4: PROMENADE

Linus had gotten a team of paranormal investigators together at the dance school, who had fitted the bill if it could get the ghost out of the school. Charlie Brown was there, as well, as he was the one who could draw Emily out. The gang were there to witness the entire event, including Lucy, not to see a ghost but to see Charlie Brown make a fool of himself.

"This is stupid!" Lucy scoffed. "If it weren't for watching Charlie Brown do something stupid, I wouldn't even be here!"

"You DON'T have to be here, Lucy," said Linus. "No one said you had to come." Lucy folded her arms and frowned.

"So, what do I have to do?" asked Charlie Brown.

"Just go out to the dance floor, Charlie Brown," said Linus. "We'll handle the rest." And Charlie Brown, who was dressed in a nice tuxedo, did as instructed.

"Now what?" asked Peppermint Patty.

"Snoopy, turn on the music," instructed Linus. Snoopy placed a record on a record player and started to play some romantic music. Charlie Brown looked around to see what would happen.

"See?" said Lucy. "No mysterious girl, no ghost, nothing! Now, can you admit you dreamt this up, Charlie Bro-"

But before Lucy could finish her train of thought, Emily showed up from out of nowhere.

"Hi, Charles!" she greeted.

"Emily!" said a happy Charlie Brown. "You're here!"

"I don't believe it!" said a dumbfounded Violet. "This Emily IS real!" Lucy stood silent and in shock of the scene.

"So, she does exist!" said Peppermint Patty.

"Well, her spirit, at least, sir," added Marcie.

"Do you want to dance with me, Charles?" Emily asked.

"Of course," said a happy Charlie Brown. "I'd love to dance with you, Emily!" And the two of them shared a dance together. The gang watched as their round-headed friend and the ghost of a girl long deceased danced like they hadn't a care in the world.

"Isn't it romantic?" cooed Frieda.

"Would YOU like a dance, Sweet Babboo?" Sally asked Linus.

"Aside from me NOT being your Sweet Babboo," Linus retorted, "I am busy monitoring your brother and the ghost. This is just for them and them alone."

"I think Lucy's still in a state of shock," added Schroeder. "She hasn't asked me to dance even once! Which, of course, I'm okay with."

"Who knew Charlie Brown could move like that?" said Patty (Swanson).

"Fancy foot work, Charlie Brown!" said Franklin.

As she and Charlie Brown continued to dance, Emily told him, "This will be my last dance with you, unfortunately."

"Why is that?" asked a concerned Charlie Brown.

"After this dance, I need to move on."

"I wish you could stay longer. Not too many girls have shown interest in me."

"If only he really knew, huh, sir?" whispered Marcie to Peppermint Patty.

"You're preaching to the choir, Marcie," added Peppermint Patty.

"Well, can you at least take a picture with me, so I can have this memory?" asked Charlie Brown.

"I'd be delighted," Emily replied. After the song finished, Snoopy came over with a polaroid camera. He took a picture of Charlie Brown and Emily hand in hand.

"Well, I need to be going, Charles," said Emily, who kissed him on the cheek, making him blush. "I will never forget you."

"Wait before you go, how about I give you my address so you can write to-" but before anyone knew it, Emily had disappeared.

"Good grief!" shuddered Violet. "Where did she go?!"

"Snoopy, has that picture finished developing?" asked Linus. Snoopy nodded and handed it to Linus. He looked at it for a moment. "I knew it!" He brought it over to Charlie Brown. "Now do you believe me, Charlie Brown?"

When Charlie Brown looked at the photo, he was shocked at what he saw. He was there, but Emily was not!

"Wh-Where is she?" whimpered Charlie Brown. Some of the other kids looked at the photo and was equally shocked.

"She just vanished!" said Sally.

"Obviously," said Linus. "Don't you know? Ghosts are impossible to photograph!" And everyone stood silent. The ghost of Emily had fulfilled her unfinished business. She had finally moved on to the next plane. Charlie Brown was more despondent than shocked, which Lucy was still catatonic. The kids left. Sally escorted a still-saddened Charlie Brown, along with Snoopy, back to their home. Linus escorted Lucy, who hadn't spoken a word since Emily's appearance. Charlie Brown was not going to sleep easy that night.

NEXT CHAPTER: COMING TO TERMS