CHAPTER 3: SOME ENCHANTED AFTERNOON REDUX!

Charlie Brown was getting dressed for his big date with Frieda. He was wearing a white buttoned-up shirt and a red tie with dress slacks and nice shoes. He had put on his best cologne and bought some pink roses, like he did those five years ago. He even had Snoopy go pick her up for the date when he was ready to go. As before, Linus came up to him as he waited for Snoopy to come back with Frieda.

"Well, it's like déjà vu all over again, Charlie Brown," he replied.

"Yep, but this time, I'm the one who's treating her to the date," said Charlie Brown. At that moment, Eudora came walking up. It was really like a repeat of that day.

"Hey, Charles,: she greeted Charlie Brown, before coming up to greet Linus.

"Hey, babe," she said to Linus, kissing him. "So, what are you two up to?"

"Charlie Brown is reliving the first date with Frieda they had five years ago," Linus responded. "Snoopy went to get her. They should be arriving any minute."

"Well, I was going to meet up with Sally to go to the mall," Eudora said. "Maybe you can come with us. I can talk her into inviting Michael and making it a double date."

"Okay," said Linus. "Have fun on your date, Charlie Brown."

"You too, Linus," said Charlie Brown. And Linus and Eudora went inside. At that moment, Snoopy's limo pulled up. He got out and opened the rear door. Frieda came out and was dressed up really nice. She had her hair up, and was wearing makeup. She also was wearing a lilac-colored dress with matching heels. Charlie Brown went to greet his girlfriend.

"Frieda, you look wonderful!" he said, looking in her eyes.

"Thank you, baby," she cooed, kissing him. Charlie Brown handed her the roses.

"These are for you," he announced.

"Just like our first date. I love them." And they got into the limo and Snoopy started off for the movie theater.

"Who would have thought we'd be reliving our first date, sweetie?" said Frieda to Charlie Brown.

"Yeah, but this time, I'm treating you, as a 'thank you' for being there for me these five years we've been dating," Charlie Brown replied. "Before you told me about how you felt, I never thought I'd even get a girlfriend who wasn't Peggy Jean. You made me feel loved, Frieda. And you still do."

"Like I said those years ago. It's your kindness and big heart that has attracted me to you, Charlie Brown. You've always been respectful to those who liked you and those who didn't treat you right, as well. I just wish there were more like you." And Charlie Brown and Frieda held each other, as Snoopy drove to the theater. Once they arrived, they got out and got in line. And, again, just like last time, Franklin was in line, also waiting. But this time, he and Marcie were on a date.

"Hey, you two," he greeted them.

"How are you, Charles and Frieda?" said Marcie.

"Pretty good," said Charlie Brown. "It's our 5th anniversary of dating."

"So, we're reliving our first date and doing everything we did that day," added Frieda.

"Funny," said Franklin. "I was in line that day like now. Marcie, you and Patty were in Germany with Hans and Franco at the time, and it was before I was dating Melanie."

"I remember," said Marcie. "Didn't know Charles and Frieda had hooked up until we got back home."

"Any idea what's playing?" asked Frieda.

"A movie called The Tar Monster from Below," said Franklin.

"Ooh, we need to see that, babe!" cooed Frieda to Charlie Brown.

"Anything you want, Frieda," said Charlie Brown. And they went and got their tickets and went in to see the movie. Frieda held on to Charlie Brown, as she always did in horror movies, as she loved getting scared and holding on to her boyfriend.

Afterwards, Snoopy brought the two to Ace's Ice Cream Shop like that first date. Violet, Shermy, Patty (Swanson), Ox, Lucy, and Schroeder were all there hanging out, as well. They saw the lovebirds, dressed to the 9's, walk in.

"Hey, look who's here!" announced Schroeder. "Hey, you two. What's going on?"

"5th anniversary date, Schroeder," said Charlie Brown.

"It has been five years since you two hooked up, hasn't it?" said Violet.

"I admit, at first I didn't react to it well, at all," said Lucy, remembering how she was upset about Charlie Brown being successful, initially. But in the years since, she had accepted it and was now a good friend to him and, aside from the occasional barb or jab, now left him alone. "Now, though, I think this was the thing to turn Charlie Brown around for the better."

"I agree," added Patty. "He's definitely a different Charlie Brown from when we were younger."

"So, what do you two have planned?" asked Ox.

"Well, we're going to get some sundaes," said Frieda, "and then, dance to our song like we did those five years ago." And they got in line where Rudy Ace, Jr. had their sundaes made for them. Orbweaver was there, as well, but visiting Junior, as she often did.

"So you're celebrating five years together, huh?" said Weaver to the couple.

"We are, Weaver," said Charlie Brown.

"I hope Wanda and I will be together like that," said Junior.

"I'm sure we will, honey," cooed Weaver to Junior, who then kissed him on the cheek., making him blush.

"Thanks for the sundaes, Junior," said Frieda. And she and Charlie Brown took their seat at a table Rudy, Sr. reserved just for them. As they enjoyed their desserts, Snoopy came in and put their song on the jukebox as he did back then.

"So, Ms. Rich," said Charlie Brown, smoothly, "could I have this dance?"

"Why yes, you may, Mr. Brown," said Frieda. And they got up and started dancing to their song like they did back then. All of the kids were watching. As they continued to dance, Rattler and Thibault walked in and joined Lucy and Schroeder, after greeting Weaver and Junior.

"Hey, Mamba, Maestro," greeted Rattler. "What's going on with those two?"

"It's their 5th anniversary, Rattler," said Lucy. "This is the song they danced to on their first date here at Ace's."

"Isn't that romantic, Tee Wee?" cooed Rattler.

"It sure is," agreed Thibault. Years ago he was dating Patty, until he started getting abusive towards her, but that was due to his uncle Max's influence, and he was no longer like that. He had gotten a second chance with Rattler, and Patty had since forgiven him and were now friends again. Everyone applauded them after the song was done.

"Well, it looks like we had an audience, babe," said Frieda.

"Years ago, I've would have been embarrassed," admitted Charlie Brown. "Especially back them I wasn't that great of a dancer. I've gotten better, but still have two left feet."

"Well, two left feet or not, I always love dancing with you, sweetie. And now, if memory recalls, our next stop was Sparkyville Park."

"That's right! Hey, Snoopy, are you ready?" After gobbling up a sundae of his own, Snoopy gave the thumbs up and headed for the limo. Charlie Brown and Frieda followed.

At the park, Frieda stood by the pond where kids were ice skating. This time around, Snoopy had Olaf and Andy, along with Dolores, join with some music. Dolores had her bass that she used in the CB's, Snoopy had an acoustic guitar, Andy brought his drums, and Olaf had his jug. And Frieda, like last time, gave a rendition of "Danny Boy".

O Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountainside

The summer's gone and all the roses falling

'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow

Or all the valley's hushed and white with snow

'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow

O Danny boy, O Danny boy, I love you so

When winter's come and all the flowers are dying

And I am dead, as dead I well may be

You'll come and find the place where I am lying

And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me

But I shall hear though soft you tread above me

And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be

And you will bend and tell me that you love me

And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me

O Danny boy, the stream flows cool and slowly

And pipes still call and echo 'cross the glen

Your broken mother sighs and feels so lowly

For you have not returned to smile again

So if you've died and crossed the stream before us

We pray that angels met you on the shore

And you'll look down, and gently you'll implore us

To live so we may see your smiling face once more

People in the park applauded the redhead and her makeshift band, as did Charlie Brown. Dolores then walked up to the two lovebirds.

"¡Feliz quinto aniversario, ustedes dos!" she said.

"Thank you, Dolores," said Frieda.

"Enjoy the rest of your day," Dolores said to them, and then packed up her gear and left. Charlie Brown, Frieda, Snoopy, Olaf, and Andy then did the same.

After dropping off his brothers, Snoopy pulled up to Frieda's house. Charlie Brown walked her up to her door. The anniversary date was a success.

"Charlie Brown, this day has been one to remember," Frieda said to her boyfriend. "There's no doubt about how much I love you."

"I love you, too, Frieda," said Charlie Brown. "You've made me very happy these past five years."

"And this is still the beginning, my love." The two them shared a kiss before Frieda went in for the night. "Good night, my darling. And happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary, my love." And Charlie Brown went back to the limo. He and Snoopy headed for home.

"Well, ol' pal," Charlie Brown said to his dog, "I have a bottle of ice-cold root beer waiting for the two of us when we get back home." Snoopy squealed with excitement. And they went back home. The anniversary date was a success.

NEXT CHAPTER: SUSPICIONS