CHAPTER 3: MOURNING
After the rehearsal at school, Charlie Brown and Frieda walked with Lucy and Rerun to see how Linus was doing. Lucy was actually worried about her brother. While he went through blanket withdrawals before when she tried to break him of the habit, it was never as bad as it was now. She had told her friends that he was convulsing and even had cold chills. While she was glad that he could finally be free of it, she was also concerned about his mental state.
"Come on in, gang," said Lucy. "You may be shocked at how Linus looks right now. Though maybe he does look normal. We'll see when we get in the den." Once they entered the den, they saw Linus looking sad and going through a photo album. There were pictures of him and his blanket during different moments in his life. He also remembered many memories with his blanket like when he used it to beat back the bullies Slim, Shorty, and Bucky at Camp Remote, or when he used it to save Violette's life when he, Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Snoopy, and Woodstock all went to France on Foreign Exchange, or when he got it back from Charlie Brown when he and Snoopy went to New York City where Charlie was in the National Spelling Bee. He just sighed as tears flowed from his eyes at every picture.
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories
Sweet memories
Of holding hands and red bouquets
And twilight trimmed in purple haze
And laughing eyes and simple ways
And quiet nights and gentle days with you
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Memories, memories
Of holding hands and red bouquets
And twilight trimmed in purple haze
And laughing eyes and simple ways
And quiet nights and gentle days with you
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Memories, memories, sweet memories
Memories, memories
"Linus?" Charlie Brown began.
"Oh, hi Charlie Brown, Frieda," Linus greeted sadly.
"How are you feeling, hun?" asked Frieda.
"Lousy," Linus said bluntly. "My blanket is gone forever. Mom even refused to buy a replacement, saying that I'm old enough now that I don't need to have another one. And I did promise that once mom said it was time for me to get rid of it, I'd do so. So, as much as it pains me, and because of that stupid wood chipper, I'm keeping my promise." He looked over at Lucy. "I know you must be happy to see that I'm no longer with the blanket."
"You know, Linus," Lucy began, "no one wanted you to be rid of that blanket more than me, well maybe except for grandma, but I never hoped that it would be destroyed in that fashion. In fact, as I got older, I hoped that you would give it up but still save it for your kid or kids you would have when you got to be a grownup."
"Well that's a little comforting," sighed Linus. "As I said, I'm keeping my promise because mom said it was time for me to go on without a blanket. I may be out of it for a while. I asked Sally's boyfriend, Michael, to fill in for me with her tutoring while I go through this. Give me about a week tops."
"Okay, Linus," said Charlie Brown. "I do hope you get through this. And if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to call me."
"Good ol' Charlie Brown," Linus said with a weak smile.
"You take care of yourself, Linus," said Frieda, who then gave him a friendly kiss on his forehead.
"Thanks guys," he said. "I'll see you around." And Charlie Brown and Frieda left. Lucy looked at her younger brother.
"You know something, Linus?" she began.
"What's that?"
"I think after you get past this, you'll be okay. And just think of how much better you'll feel not having to depend on your blanket for security."
"I can only hope, Lucy."
NEXT CHAPTER: DANCING DOGS
"Memories" written by Donald Baldwin, Jeffrey Bowen, and Kathy Wakefield
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC