CHAPTER 6: "AUF WIEDERSEHEN, AUSTRALIA!"
For the next few days, Franco pretty much laid low, only coming out when Peppermint Patty was gone, probably with Zac. But Marcie wasn't hanging out with Patty as much, either, probably out of respect for Franco. She and Franklin decided to do some things together with Franco themselves. Claudia, Skylar, Jadan, and Andrew also joined them. Charlie Brown, Frieda, Linus, and Eudora also did things with Franco when they could. It made him feel better, if only for a moment. But his mind was already made up about leaving early.
The day had arrived that he would be leaving, but his flight was late and luckily he could leave while everyone was asleep. He would leave a note for them and he would promise to get in touch once back in Sparkyville. The day was spent hanging out with Charlie Brown and Frieda, who decided to go to a nature preserve with Jadan and Andrew. They got to see different animals and plants. He actually enjoyed the day and if it hadn't been for Patty's treachery, he might had stayed longer than planned, even with her remaining mad at him. Even if she was still angry with what he did to Zac, she should have at least apologized for kissing him in front of them, but she didn't make any effort, and that hurt even worse than the cold shoulder she was giving him. He couldn't stay with her flaunting her newfound "relationship" with Zac around him. At least, as it seemed, the rest of the gang weren't hanging out with Patty at the moment, especially Marcie, who wasn't talking to her, either.
As everyone slept, Franco called for a ride to pick him up to take him to the airport after everyone went to bed. He told the car not to honk, as he would already be outside waiting. After calling for his ride, he grabbed his already-packed suitcase. Everyone was sound asleep in bed. He looked in the backyard to see Snoopy sleeping on top of his tent. Gracie was inside the tent. Woodstock was in his nest, and Hops in her barn. He peaked inside the girl's room, and they were asleep, save for Patty who was out of her bed. He went and looked out the back where the pet were again and saw her on the phone, talking to someone, presumably Zac.
"I had a good time with you today," she said, not even noticing her estranged boyfriend behind her, listening in. "What do you have planned for us tomorrow? Really?! You know I love going to batting cages! I can work on my batting. Even though I can strike out Chuck with three pitches, it's always great to work on your homerun batting, as well."
Franco sighed and closed the door softly, not to be heard. He went out front to wait for his ride. It arrived without honking, as instructed. After boarding the taxi, it went straight to the airport. Inside, he got his ticket and went through security. After finding his gate back to the USA, he sat down and waited to board the plane. He looked over and saw Danny A'oi, who was probably heading back to Hawaii.
"Danny?"
"Franco?!" said a bewildered Danny. "What are you doing here?"
"Going back home to Sparkyville."
"Does this have to do with the fight you and that Zac guy got in? Patty told me about it."
"Sort of. Afterwards, she and Zac started kissing and now dating."
"You're kidding!"
"Nein. She now loves him, and hates me. So why am I still staying here only to see them get together?"
"From what I heard about what you guys had told me about the violence that happened a couple of years back, and that girl that got killed even earlier than that, you've been through worse than this. Tell you what. Don't break up, at least not yet. I can't stop you from going home, but maybe it is for the best that you two spend some time apart and then when she also gets back, see where you two are and then see if it's still worth you two being together. She will come back home, herself, but he'll still be here in Australia."
Franco took in what Danny had to say. He said, "Danke, mein freund."
" Noʻu ka hauʻoli," said Danny. "That's 'you're welcome' in Hawaiian."
"Attention, all passengers," said the stewardess at the boarding station, "the flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, USA will now start boarding. All passengers have your boarding passes ready."
"I think that's us," said Danny. "You may get to see Renee on layover, as she said she would wait for me to land. Her father, Buddy, will be there, too." And Franco and Danny boarded their flight. They had different seats due to Franco getting what was left available and being a late flight. He had a window seat. He looked outside and took one last look at the Outback. He shed a tear as the plane left the docking area and headed for the runway. Pretty soon, Franco was heading back home to Sparkyville.
END OF EPISODE 6
Episode 7 will be coming soon, but next time, we also head back stateside when Lucy and Schroeder goes to visit his country relatives in the Next Chapter special "Meet the Klimt's". Stay tuned!
