CHAPTER 2: THE RETURN OF THE GREAT HOUNDINI

The next day, Charlie Brown, Frieda, Sally, Michael, and Heidi were dressed in their bathing suits getting ready for a day at the beach. Michael had also brought his father's metal detector so he and Sally could look for "hidden treasure". Charlie, Frieda, and Heidi planned to hang out together. Heidi told her cousin and his girlfriend she didn't mind playing third wheel and wasn't really looking for any romance while there, and they didn't mind her being with them, either. But one person, or beagle, had other plans.

The teens were surprised to see Snoopy dressed up as a magician, complete with hat and cape. Woodstock followed as his assistant. They wondered what kind of shenanigans he and his bird pal was up to.

"Snoopy, what's with the strange getup?" asked Frieda.

"I think I know what's going on," said Charlie Brown. "Sally, remember when he made me invisible?"

"Oh yeah, the magic show for the gang, I actually helped with that," said Sally.

"What magic show?" asked Heidi.

"Heidi, back when we were kids, I gave Snoopy my library card to check out a book so he could find a hobby besides eating and sleeping," said Charlie Brown. "He happened to check out a book on magic. So, after learning some stuff, he put on a magic show. He dubbed himself the Great Houndini. And after some failed tricks, he actually succeeded in turning me invisible. And it took a while for him to make me visible again, but he did, though it was in the middle of me trying to kick the football Lucy was holding while I was invisible. And I think you know what happened after that."

"Charlie Brown was able to kick the ball while he was invisible," Frieda chimed in. "To say she was ticked off was an understatement."

"So, I take it the Great Houndini is making his triumphant return, here in Florida, eh?" said Heidi.

"That's what it looks like," said Sally.

"All I want to know is where is he going to perform these magic tricks of his," said Michael. Snoopy pulled out a brochure showing a place called Gazeebo on the Boardwalk. It was as described; a gazeebo on a boardwalk, but many folks had done performances on this gazeebo.

"Well, since we know what my dog has planned, how about we do what we have planned?" said Charlie Brown. And everyone headed for the beach, and Snoopy and Woodstock headed for their destination.

Later, Heidi was coming out of the ocean after having some fun swimming. She joined Charlie Brown, Frieda, Sally, Michael, and Silas, Maureen, and Wyatt, who had brought a picnic lunch for everyone. Snoopy and Woodstock had also come, but had their own picnic meal, as typical. Everyone enjoyed their meals.

"So, how are you kids enjoying the time here, so far?" asked Maureen.

"We are having fun, Aunt Maureen," said Heidi.

"We are, mom," added Charlie Brown. "The day has been real nice."

"Look at the shell Michael and I found while beach brushing, mom," said Sally.

"Beach 'combing', babe," corrected Michael.

"Oh yeah," giggled Sally, blushing.

"That is a nice shell, you two," said Maureen. At that moment, people were walking up to the Browns. They noticed they were walking over to Snoopy.

"There he is!" said one gorgeous blonde in a white bikini. "It's the Great Houndini!"

"Yeah, he is wicked awesome at magic!" said a surfer guy in Bermuda swim trunks.

"When's your next show, G.H.?" asked another guy.

"You are much better than that Copperfield fella, or that Blaine guy," said an older gentleman. "Heck, you're better than those two guys in Vegas, that one big guy with glasses and the little guy who doesn't speak, at all."

"Snoopy, are these folks talking about your magic show you did?" asked a bewildered Charlie Brown. Snoopy just smiled and nodded. Then he got up and took his bows for his adoring public, then did another quick magic trick by throwing a fog bomb on the ground which flashed and after the fog cleared he disappeared, making the crowd gasp, including his own family.

"Babe, Snoopy just vanished into thin air!" said a shocked Frieda.

"Good grief!" gasped Charlie Brown. "My dog has gotten better with his magic!" But then they heard an "a-hem" from by a nearby palm tree. Everyone turned to see Snoopy leaning against said tree. The fans erupted in applause. The Browns, Frieda, and Michael were taken by surprise by the adoration Snoopy was receiving.

"Cuz, your dog is definitely not ordinary," said Heidi to Charlie Brown. "He's extraordinary!"

"You can say that again, Heidi," sighed Charlie Brown.

NEXT CHAPTER: COUSIN IN LOVE