CHAPTER 2: BREAKING NEWS

While Charlie Brown and his team were having their first game, Peppermint Patty and her team were gearing up for theirs. She, Marcie, Franco, Hans, and Franklin were going over strategy for their season opener. Marcie, however, was reading a newspaper, as she wasn't interested in baseball like her friend.

"All right, team," she began, "our opponents next weekend will be tough! But we can slaughter them. I know we're missing Thibault, but he will be back in a few weeks. MARCIE! Are you even paying attention?!"

"Sorry, sir," she said. "I was reading this article. It's about Joe Shlabotnik."

"You're not a fan of him, are you?!" asked Patty. "I'd expect that from Chuck, but I always thought you had better sense than to worship a lousy player like Joe Shlabotnik, Marcie."

"That's not why I'm reading this article about him, sir," assured Marcie. "It turns out that he's terminally ill and he doesn't have long for this world."

"Oh my gosh!" said Franklin. "And Charlie Brown is his biggest supporter."

"What does the article say, Marcie?" Peppermint Patty said.

"Joseph Shlabotnik, a minor league legend, has been ill with cancer for months now. His publicist said he wasn't long for this world anymore. He has stated that before he dies, the last thing he wants to do is meet with his biggest fan. A kid from right here in Sparkyville who has written him and even met him on a few occasions. The boy's name is Charles Brown."

"CHUCK?!" exclaimed Patty. "We need to tell him this."

"Right now he's busy with HIS first game of the season," said Franklin. "It will have to wait until they are done."

"It shouldn't be too long," Patty retorted. "This IS Chuck's team we're talking about. I just hope the other team takes it easy on them."

Meanwhile back at the Brown household, Sally and Michael were studying together. Michael was looking around and didn't see Charlie Brown or Snoopy anywhere.

"Hey, Sally," Michael began, "where's your brother and his dog?"

"Oh, they had a baseball game today," said Sally. "It shouldn't be too longer. They're pretty lousy. Not just my brother, but everyone else on the team as well. I know it sounds harsh, but it's pretty much accepted around here."

"I'd like to see them play one of these days," said Michael.

"Well, if you like to see a slaughter without going to the butcher, then watching my brother play is a good way to do that," Sally joked.

Michael sighed. "Do you mind if I turn on the TV?" he asked.

"Go ahead." And Michael turned it on. It was on the news. The reporter was talking about Joe Shlabotnik's illness.

"They don't know how much longer Mr. Shlabotnik will hold on," the reporter said on the TV. "Word is going around that Mr. Shlabotnik is looking for a Sparkyville boy who was his biggest fan. The boy, who goes by Charles Brown, is said to be the biggest Joe Shlabotnik supporter."

"Good grief!" Sally said. "My big brother was just mentioned on TV!"

"I know!" said Michael. "And Joe Shlabotnik is looking for him!"

"Right now he's in the middle of his game. Let's head down there and see how much longer his game is going on." And Sally and Michael left the house to go where Charlie Brown and his team was playing.

NEXT CHAPTER: A SHRED OF HOPE?