CHAPTER 5: AWAKEN!
As the weekend arrived, Linus finally got up and out of the house after going through some serious withdrawal symptoms. He had to get used to the fact that his blanket was gone forever. Any other time that Lucy tried to rid him of it and he would go through those same symptoms was different, as he knew there was a chance of him getting his blanket back, but this time was different. There was no coming back for the blanket after getting shredded up. And his mother figured he was old enough so he didn't need his blanket. So Linus had to muddle through and try to get used to not having a blanket to drag around.
Charlie Brown and Frieda were at Ace's Ice Cream Shop when Linus, along with Eudora, walked in. They never thought they'd see him again that soon.
"Hey, Linus," greeted Charlie Brown. "How are you feeling?"
"As good as I can, I guess," sighed Linus. "I made it through the withdrawal, anger, and depression. Now I'm working on the acceptance. Lucy has even been supportive, and she was one of the main people who wanted me rid of my blanket. I could have gone without my grandmother jumping for joy at the news, however. Even Lucy didn't go there."
"Well I'm glad you're doing better, hun," said Frieda.
"Thanks," said Linus.
"I'm keeping him company so he's not alone," said Eudora. "My baby needs me right now."
"Well I'm glad you're staying with him, Eudora," Charlie Brown replied. "Linus will need all the help he can get if he's going to get through this. And we already offered any help he may need, as well."
"Thanks, Charles," said Eudora. "We both appreciate it." And they joined Charlie Brown and Frieda to talk a little while.
Elsewhere, Snoopy and his brothers Andy and Olaf, were practicing their routine at Snoopy's house. Sally walked in with three supper dishes.
"Hey," she started. "Your owners wanted me to feed you guys some lunch since all of you have been added to the show." She placed them down by the beagles.
"I just hope your act doesn't pre-empt mine!" Sally retorted, then walked back towards the house.
"She doesn't like dogs too much, does she?" asked Andy through his thoughts.
"She's always been a bit hotheaded," Snoopy replied. "I don't see how the round-headed kid puts up with her, even if she is his sister."
"Maybe she should eat more ice cream," suggested Olaf. And the dogs ate their lunch.
A little while later, Linus was walking by himself. He had walked Eudora home and he wanted to be alone with his thoughts for a while. He wondered if he could go through the rest of childhood without his blanket. He was worried that he was becoming like an addict, and his blanket was the drug of choice. While he missed his blanket, he was determined to try to live life without it.
"I miss my blanket," Linus thought to himself. "I'll never see it again. But I can't go get a replacement, either. Maybe this was a sign. That I need to get through life without it. I can't drag a blanket behind me for the rest of my life. I will do this. I'll make Lucy proud, I'll make my friends proud, I'll even make my blanket-hating grandmother proud. I can and will get past this. I know it won't be easy, but I am determined to try."
THE END