CHAPTER 2: BACK AT THE COTTAGE
Charlie Brown and Linus were standing at the wall. Charlie was leaving with Frieda, along with Sally, Michael, Snoopy, and Woodstock for Frieda's family cottage for a few weeks. So the two friends wanted to get their own summer plans going.
"So I take it you and Eudora will be getting your summer plans in action, eh?" said Charlie Brown.
"Yep, though I wish we were going with you guys," lamented Linus, "but I have a feeling I will be needed here. I can't explain why, but I feel it."
"I get it, Linus. Well I do hope you and Eudora have some fun while we're away."
"We will. This is going to be an exciting summer, Charlie Brown."
"You can say that again, Linus." And both boys left. Charlie Brown went back home to finish getting ready for his trip.
Later, Charlie Brown and Sally, along with Michael, Snoopy, and Woodstock, were waiting for Frieda and her parents to arrive with the van to take them to the cottage. Sally was glad to be doing something else besides going to camp for the summer, as she always hated camp even more than her brother did.
"So how's Wyatt doing since he's been home?" asked Michael.
"Pretty good, Michael," answered Charlie Brown. "He seems to be getting used to the house now."
"I'm just glad I won't be here when he starts crying," said Sally. "I love my new brother and all, but as we know with babies, they'll cry throughout the night."
"I can vouch for that," added Charlie Brown. "Sally cried 24/7 when she was a baby." Sally stuck her tongue out at her brother. Charlie and Michael chuckled a bit, as did Snoopy and Woodstock. Then the van showed up. Frieda got out to greet her boyfriend and everyone else.
"Hi, everybody," she greeted.
"Hey, Frieda," said Sally.
"Hi, Frieda," said Michael.
"And hello to you too, handsome," cooed Frieda to Charlie Brown, who then kissed her boyfriend, making him smile.
"It's good to see you, Frieda," said Charlie Brown. "And we're all ready to go to the cottage."
"Great, let's get everything all packed up," Frieda announced. "I noticed Snoopy isn't bringing as much luggage this time around."
"You could say I had a 'Come to Jesus' with Snoopy in regards to that," said Charlie Brown. "I told him we'll have barely enough room for everybody else's luggage that he could leave at least half of the stuff home. While he argued that he needed all of his stuff, I assured him it would be fine, as your parents already have some of it there."
"Smart move, sweetie," said Frieda. "Okay, let's get ready to go. Time for some summer fun!"
And the kids and Snoopy and Woodstock got into the van and they were off for the cottage. They all had fun on the way there and enjoyed the trip.
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Here it is the groove slightly transformed
Just a bit of a break from the norm
Just a little somethin' to break the monotony
Of all that hardcore dance that has gotten to be
A little bit out of control it's cool to dance
But what about the groove that soothes that moves romance
Give me a soft subtle mix
And if ain't broke then don't try to fix it
And think of the summers of the past
Adjust the base and let the alpine blast
Pop in my CD and let me run a rhyme
And put your car on cruise and lay back 'cause this is summertime
Summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
School is out and it's a sort of a buzz
A back then I didn't really know what it was
But now I see what have of this
The way that people respond to summer madness
The weather is hot and girls are dressing less
And checking out the fellas to tell 'em who's best
Riding around in your Jeep or your Benzos
Or in your Nissan stting on Lorenzos
Back in Philly we be out in the park
A place called the plateau is where everybody goes
Guys out hunting and girls doing likewise
Honking at the honey in front of you with the light eyes
She turn around to see what you beeping at
It's like the summer's a natural afradesiac
And with a pen and pad I compose this rhyme
To hit you and get you equipped for the summer time
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
It's late in the day and I ain't been on the court yet
Hustle to the mall to get me a short set
Yeah I got on sneaks but I need a new pair
'Cause basketball courts in the summer got girls there
The temperature's about 88
Hop in the water plug just for old times' sake
Break to ya crib change your clothes once more
'Cause you're invited to a barbeque that's starting at 4
Sitting with your friends cause y'all reminisce
About the days growing up and the first person you kiss
And as I think back makes me wonder how
The smell from a grill could spark up nostalgia
All the kids playing out front
Little boys messin' round with the girls playing double-dutch
While the DJ's spinning a tune as the old folks dance at your family reunion
Then six o'clock rolls around
You just finished wiping your car down
It's time to cruise so you head to the summertime hangout
It looks like a car show
Everybody come lookin' real fine
Fresh from the barber shop or fly from the beauty salon
Every moment frontin' and maxin'
Chillin' in the car they spent all day waxin'
Leanin' to the side but you can't speed through
Two miles an hour so everybody sees you
There's an air of love and of happiness
And this is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Summer summer summertime
Time to sit back and unwind
Once they got to the cottage, Sally and Michael were in awe at the sight of it. Charlie Brown and Snoopy had been there before, so it was no big deal to them. Sally immediately shouted, "This is no cottage! This is a mini-mansion!"
"You like it, Sally?" asked Frieda.
"I love it, Frieda," said a happy Sally. "This beats sleeping in a mosquito-filled cabin at some dirty camp any day of the week."
"Charlie Brown and Michael will share a room together," Frieda announced. "You remember where you slept last time, don't you, babe?"
"I do, Frieda," said Charlie Brown. "I'll show Michael where we'll be."
"Sally, you and I will share my room," Frieda continued.
"What about Snoopy?" asked Sally.
"He's already set up camp," said Charlie Brown. And sure enough, Snoopy had a camp set up for him and Woodstock. They were already making the most of it. And everyone went in to unpack and unwind before lunch.
NEXT CHAPTER: PUTTING THE PLAN IN ACTION
"Summertime" written by Craig Simpkins, Hula Mahone, Willard Smith, Claydes Smith, Robert Bell, Dennis Thomas, Ronald Bell, Richard Westfield, George Brown, Robert Mickens, Alton Taylor
© EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.