Episode 86: The Return of Melanie
CHAPTER 1: THE PHONE CALL
Franklin and Marcie were walking through the halls of Sparkyville Middle School, hand in hand. Ever since they got together after Hans moved back to Germany and Melanie left for parts unknown, they have hardly been apart from each other. What started as two friends going out and doing what they had planned with their respective dates before they left turned into blossoming romance. Him, an athletic, smart, and all around decent guy, her, the bookworm who tried to avoid sports (to no avail thanks in part to Peppermint Patty) and get good grades, two polar opposites, yet, they seemed to click. And her parents like him and think he's a good match for her, and his parents like her, as well (much better than Melanie, but they never told Franklin that).
School was out for the day, and the two of them were walking home. Peppermint Patty stayed after school for baseball practice, as she was on the team, along with Charlie Brown. They were talking to one another about what they were doing for the weekend.
"My mother has taken up belly dancing," said Marcie.
"Seriously?!" asked Franklin.
"Yeah, I know, right? She was the last person I'd expect to do something so spontaneous like that. Even funnier is that she asked me to join her in the classes!"
"Wow! I bet you'd look cute in one of those outfits!"
"You play your cards right, Mr. Armstrong, you may get a dance from me." Marcie kissed Franklin and they had a good laugh. After reaching her place, she said, "You want to come in for a bit?"
"Any other time, I would, but my dad needs me to help with installing the new deck we just got," Franklin replied. "I will call you later tonight, though."
"You'd better!" After one last kiss, Marcie went in to do some studying, and Franklin headed back towards his house.
A little while later, Franklin and his father, Jack, were hard at work on the deck. They had the framework down and all that needed to be done was the floor itself. After some cutting of boards, they laid them down so people could walk along the deck.
"So, how's Marcie, son?" asked Jack.
"Pretty good, pop," said Franklin. "She told me her mother took up belly dancing and she wanted her to join her for the lessons."
"Uh oh! Look out now, Frank!"
"Hey, I told Marcie she'd look cute in one of those belly dancing outfits."
"Don't let your mother know you said that. You wouldn't hear the end of it!" After some laughter from father and son, Franklin's mother Rosa came out holding the house phone.
"Franklin," she began, "telephone. It's someone from your past."
"Who could that be?" wondered Franklin. He grabbed the phone from his mother and answered it. "Hello?"
"FRANKIE!" said a high-pitched voice on the other end. "It's me!"
"Melanie?!" It was, in fact, Melanie, his old girlfriend. He hadn't heard from her ever since her family moved away from Sparkyville.
"Yes! Just wanted to let you know that my grades have improved and I'm doing much better in school."
"That's great, Mel. I'm happy for you. I think you should know-"
"Also, here's the biggest surprise. Are you ready?" After a pause, she squealed, "I'M COMING BACK HOME!"
"You are?!"
"Isn't that great, Frankie? You and I will be back together again soon!"
"But, Melanie, I-"
"We still have to tie up loose ends here, but in a few days, your Melanie will be back in your life soon! See ya later!" And before Franklin could tell her about him and Marcie, Melanie was gone. Jack and Rosa walked in.
"Everything okay, Frank?" asked Jack.
"Not really pop," sighed Franklin. "Melanie is coming back to Sparkyville."
"That's great, son," said Rosa.
"Not really," Franklin continued. "Not the moving back part, that's fine, but she never gave me a chance to tell her that I'm with Marcie now."
"Oh!" said Jack. "You couldn't get a word in edgewise, eh?"
"Understatement of the 21st Century, pop," groaned Franklin. "Big issue is, not only how will I tell her that I'm dating Marcie, but how will Marcie take it, herself?" Franklin now had a lot on his mind. Melanie was coming back soon, and she didn't know that he and Marcie were now dating. This was going to be one crazy week.
NEXT CHAPTER: BEAGLE VS. BIGFOOT
