CHAPTER 5: AFTERMATH

Charlie Brown and Linus were standing by the wall talking about the previous weeks and how drama-filled they were. From Linus losing his blanket to a wood chipper shredding it to bits, to Schroeder's continuing drama directing the Christmas show, to the sudden death of Penelope Hawkins, it had been a roller coaster ride of emotions as of late.

"So how about these past few weeks, huh?" said Charlie Brown.

"You ain't lying, Charlie Brown," Linus replied. "After Penelope's sudden passing, me losing my blanket don't seem as tragic anymore."

"I wonder if the drama will be over," lamented Charlie Brown.

"I don't think it's ever over, Charlie Brown. It just stops for a while and then comes back at the most inopportune time. We just learn how to deal with it. Which reminds me, how's Peppermint Patty doing? I know she was hit the hardest with Penelope's death."

"She's still in a deep funk about it. She won't even turn on the sports channel. Usually that makes her feel better. Franco is there to support her, though, so I guess that helps. Marcie is doing somewhat better, but also still mourning. While she wasn't as close to Penelope as Patty was, she still was close enough for it to affect her, as well."

"With Python getting killed, and now Penelope's passing, we better hold on to who's still here tightly."

"We may have to, Linus. Who knows what will happen next." And the boys stood at the wall for a while thinking about everything that had happened.

Around that same time, Schroeder was at Lucy's house talking about everything that had happened. They weren't as distraught over the death of Penelope, but was sad about her passing just the same.

"I still can't believe she's gone, Schroeder," said Lucy. "It's like Python all over again, and it hasn't been a year since her dying."

"I know," Schroeder agreed. "But we all agree no one is more distraught over it than Peppermint Patty. She's taken it the hardest."

"I can understand that," Lucy replied. "I'm still not completely over Python losing her life, either. So I can understand where Patricia's coming from."

"On another note, I wanted to tell you that I have someone else to add for the show."

"Did Trevor agree to perform or something?"

"No, still waiting on that. Dolores was playing some classical guitar the other day. I suggested she play for Snoopy and his brothers while they warmed up the audience at the show."

"That's not a bad idea, babe. Dolores playing guitar to those dogs would make for some entertainment."

"Yeah. At least, when it comes to the show, things are going smoothly now. I just hope Charlie Brown's cousin calls me before it's too late."

"Trevor will let you know if he'll be coming to town for the show. Whether he performs or not, he won't leave you in the dark about his decision."

"I guess you're right, Lucy. I just need to calm down about it. No matter what it'll be all right."

"That's the spirit, sweetie!" And Lucy kissed her boyfriend.

In another part of town, Marcie and Hans were walking around the neighborhood. They saw Thibault and Rattler walking hand in hand.

"Hey guys," greeted Thibault.

"Oh hey, you two," Marcie greeted back.

"Guten tag, Thibault und Rattler," greeted Hans.

"Is there something wrong?" asked Rattler, noticing the other couple's sad demeanor.

"We're just worried about Peppermint Patty," a sad Marcie replied. "You may had heard about Penelope Hawkins passing away from a rare strain of leukemia?"

"Oh yeah, the girl from 'Sandra on the Side'," said Thibault. "I heard she was from here in Sparkyville."

"Yeah well Patty and I kind of befriended her before her abrupt passing," said Marcie. "She was at a soup line we were volunteering at, because she and her family had since ran into financial difficulties due to a greedy manager. And a few days ago at Joe's all of us engineered a car wash to help raise money for her and her family so that they could have money to start on. Even Charles's father offered her father a job at his barber shop."

"I guess ol' freckles is taking her passing harder than most, eh?" said Rattler. "Well I was distraught over Python's passing, and I can tell you from that, it takes a while to get over. In fact, I still mourn her now, but it has gotten easier with time to move on. So I just keep going. I know it was what Python wanted me, Cobra, and Mamba to do."

"Mamba?" asked Hans.

"She means Lucille, Hans," said Marcie. "It was her nickname in the Serpent Sisters."

"Anyway, she'll be okay with time," Rattler continued. "She's going to hurt for a while, but it will get easier for her soon. I can promise you that. If she's anything like Mamba described her, I know she's a tough cookie."

"Thanks for the insight, Rattler," said Marcie. "You too, Thibault."

"No problem, Marce," said Thibault. "And give Patty our love."

"I will. See you around." And the two couple went on their separate ways. Marcie thought about what Rattler told her. Peppermint Patty may have been the toughest girl she knew, but she was the most vulnerable and emotional, as well. It didn't take much to hurt her emotionally. Before Franco came into her life, she beat herself up daily over why Charlie Brown wouldn't give her any "attention" and fall in love with her. So it was no surprise that she took Penelope's passing the hardest of all the kids. But Marcie knew that with time she'd be all right. And that was what Peppermint Patty needed. Time.

About a couple of days later, Peppermint Patty emerged from her funk and came outside for the first time in days. She was dressed in a black variant of her usual clothes, complete with black sandals. She was going to Penelope's memorial service, as her parents had her cremated already. It was just as well. She wouldn't be able to stand seeing her in the casket. Marcie, Hans, and Franco met up with her. Just then, Snoopy pulled up in his limo. Charlie Brown, Frieda, Linus, and Eudora were already inside. They all got in and headed for the memorial service together. Peppermint Patty was still hurting, but with her friends and Franco at her side, she would be all right in time.

THE END