CHAPTER 3: THIBAULT RETURNS TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING & BATTLE FOR THE DOMMERS
"So she wants to be friends now?" That was Rattler on the phone with Cobra as she was heading for Thibault's house.
"Apparently, Rattler," said Cobra on the other line. "I'm taking her 'making peace' with a grain of salt, though. She'll have to prove that she's leaving Dominick behind and moving on with her life."
"I get it, Cobra. Just let me or Mamba know if you will need some backup, just in case."
"Will do. Enjoy your date with Thibault."
"Thank you."
Over at Thibault's house, he was getting ready for his date with Rattler. His father, Chandler, was watching him get ready. He was happy, but concerned at the same time.
"Are you sure you're ready to head back out, son?" he asked. "Don't get me wrong, I am happy that you're finally coming out the house and not because you have to, but I just worry about you."
"I want to, dad," said Thibault. "I can't let Max scare me forever. You said it yourself. With him locked away he cannot hurt me anymore."
"I know. I just want you to be truly ready and not think that you are and really you're not."
"You know what they say; no time like the present. Trust me, dad. I am ready."
The doorbell rang and Chandler went to answer it. He saw Rattler standing there.
"Hey, Mr. Watkins," she greeted.
"Hey, Holly," Chandler greeted back. "Thibault is almost ready. Come on in." And Rattler went inside and sat on the couch waiting for her boyfriend. Thibault then came out to the living room and greeted Rattler.
"Hey, Holly," he greeted her.
"Hi, Tee Wee," she said, smiling. They kissed each other.
"We're heading out, dad," said Thibault.
"Have fun, you two," said Chandler.
Meanwhile at Joe's Café, Sally and Michael were presenting their petition to have Ace's keep their Salted Caramel flavored ice cream on the menu permanently to Charlie Brown, Frieda, and the rest of the gang.
"What's the big deal about it anyway?" asked Lucy. "I'm sure Rudy Ace will make it a seasonal thing, like the McRib."
"Have you tasted it?!" said Sally. "It's probably the best flavor Ace's ever had!"
"Sally, we've all had the Salted Caramel ice cream at Ace's," said Linus. "And while we also think it's good, it's not that big of deal to us."
"Are all of you MAD?!" shouted Sally.
"Whoa, calm down, hun!" said Frieda, trying to keep Sally from going off the rails. "I didn't know how passionate you are about this."
"You think she's passionate about this," Charlie Brown began, "you've should have seen her when the library took away her favorite book series. She tried to organize a boycott against the library until they brought back those books. And getting her to read is usually like pulling teeth."
"How many signatures you need, kid?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"At least 150," said Sally. "I've gotten 20 so far. I still need 130, though. And Rudy Ace promised me that if I get close to 150, he'll keep it on the menu."
"How about it, gang?" Charlie Brown chimed in. "It's rare for my sister to get involved in something, but when she does, it's usually a big deal to her."
"Oh all right!" Lucy relented. "Where do I sign?" And Lucy signed the petition. The others soon followed. Mallory then walked in.
"You, new girl!" Sally said to her.
"Who me?" asked Mallory.
"Care to sign my petition to keep Salted Caramel ice cream on Ace's menu?"
"Sure, why not?" And Mallory walked over to sign the petition.
"How are you doing, Mal?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"Pretty good," said Mallory. "Just waiting for somebody."
"That 'somebody' better not be Dominick!" warned Lucy. "You know his girlfriend is a close friend of mine."
"Relax, it's another kid I'm doing homework with," assured Mallory. "Besides, I told her that I'll leave Dominick alone from here on out."
"Oh okay then," said Lucy, letting her guard down.
"In the meantime, I'm going to get something to eat," Mallory finished. "Good luck with that petition, girlie."
"Thank you," said Sally.
"What's this about Mallory and Dominick?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Dominick used to date Mallory when he lived in Leeville, Charlie Brown," said Linus. "He told me that she cheated on him with another guy. And while he did forgive her, he vowed never to date her again. Apparently she still has feelings for him."
"He even tried to kiss him," Lucy continued. "This was when everyone was looking for Thibault when he was kidnapped."
"Good grief!" said Charlie Brown. "Sounds similar to what happened with me when Peggy Jean came to visit when Wyatt was born."
"Don't remind me," sighed Frieda. "I'm just glad she got the message herself that I was with Charlie Brown and he wasn't going back to her."
Cobra and Dominick walked in and met up with the rest of the gang. They didn't know that Mallory was there, yet.
"Hey, everyone," greeted Cobra.
"How's everything?" asked Dominick.
"Great, unless you count your ex being here," said Lucy.
"Mallory's here?!" said a shocked Dominick.
"Sweet Jesus!" groaned Cobra. "I thought we'd have a break from that girl!"
"She told us that she wouldn't be trying to get with Dominick again," said Marcie.
"I know," said Cobra. "She promised me she was done with that, and even apologized about her kissing Dom." Just then, the girl herself walked up to the group with food in hand.
"Oh hey, Dom, Sylvia," said Mallory with a sweet voice.
"Hey, Mal," said Dominick, sheepishly.
"Mallory," Cobra greeted cautiously.
"Well I have my meal," Mallory continued. "Have a good day, all." And Mallory went to her seat to "wait for her friend".
"Good grief, I hate her so much!" growled Cobra.
"I warned her about coming between you two before you got here," assured Lucy. "Trust that I'll be watching out for you guys."
"I know you have my back, Mamba," said Cobra. "Well, let's get some food for us, Dom."
"Right behind you, Syl," said Dominick. And they got in line to get something to eat.
At the indoor mini golf place, Thibault and Rattler were enjoying each other's company. The holes were repaired as promised and now folks got to enjoy the place as intended. Rattler was happy that Thibault was enjoying himself, for once. For a while, he had become a hermit, unless he had to go out like to school or the doctors. He was determined to get his life back to normal, and this date was the thing to help with that, as far as he was concerned.
After the date, Thibault and Rattler headed back to her place to watch some TV. Andy was there to greet them. After Andy licked them to death, they turned on the TV and watched a movie together. He looked at Rattler with love.
"Holly," Thibault began.
"Yeah, Tee Wee?" Rattler responded.
"Even if anything happens to me again as far as Max goes, I don't want to be afraid anymore. From this day forth, I'm going back to normal and living my life."
"I was hoping you'd say that, baby." And Rattler kissed Thibault, making him smile. They continued to watch TV and enjoy each other's company.
NEXT CHAPTER: DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH SIGNATURES?
