CHAPTER 5: TROUBLE IN PARADISE

Charlie Brown and Linus were standing at the wall. Linus was sharing his concerns in regard to Eudora's jealousy over him tutoring Sally. While Linus thought there was nothing to worry about, Eudora was apprehensive about Sally's intentions; even with the knowledge that she was dating Michael now.

"It's not like Eudora to be jealous," said Charlie Brown. "While she and Sally are not particularly close anymore, she never had a problem with you and her being friends in the past."

"Well that was before we were working close together," Linus replied. "And plus Eudora always could count on you being around. But it's like even with Michael sitting with us, she thinks Sally's gonna try to resume pursuing me."

"Why would she think that knowing Sally has someone else now?"

"I haven't the foggiest idea, Charlie Brown. While Eudora trusts me, so she says, it's Sally that she's really worried about." And the two boys continued to discuss the situation.

Elsewhere, Eudora was sitting at Lucy's psychiatry booth. She still had her concerns over Sally trying to steal Linus from her. And, for some reason, she had it in her head that she was going to break Michael's heart in the process.

"But my brother is not in love with Sally," Lucy reasoned.

"I have no doubt about that, Lucy," said Eudora. "It's what Sally has got cooking that has me worried. While I know it's just business for Linus, Sally has fallen over Linus when he tried to help her before in the past."

"And that's just it, Eudora," said Lucy. "All of that's in the past. Sally's with Michael now and, according to Charlie Brown, they are madly in love with each other. Heck, when all of you were away at camp this past summer, all Sally talked about was Michael this and Michael that. I couldn't get a word in edgewise about my Schroeder. Trust me on this, Eudora. You have nothing to worry about."

Eudora thought about what Lucy had just said to her. Finally she said, "Okay, Lucy. I'll take your word for it. I'll drop the subject for now."

"Very good, Dory. Also Linus may have his faults, as his sister I should know, but not being faithful to his girlfriend isn't one of them."

Sometime later, Peppermint Patty and Franco were visiting Charlie Brown at his house. Frieda was also there visiting. All of them were discussing what he and Linus talked about with what's going on with Eudora.

"Have you talked to your sister about this, Chuck?" asked Patty.

"Not yet," Charlie Brown answered, "but I hope it don't come to that."

"Where is she now, Charles?" asked Franco.

"She's out at the movies with Michael," he responded. "Even after their falling out, Eudora knew that Sally had finally given up Linus and moved on with Michael. So it makes no sense for her to be so jealous about Linus tutoring her, especially when Linus was assigned to do so by the teacher."

"I hope Eudora don't go crazy like Sally did when she found out that Linus and her were together," added Frieda.

"Me too, Frieda," agreed Patty. "Otherwise we'll have World War III right here in Sparkyville!"

"That's putting it mildly, Patty," stated Charlie Brown. "While I still don't excuse what Sally did to Eudora over Valentine's Day, I just pray Eudora doesn't go that same route."

"Well enough about Eudora," said Patty. "What's been going on in your world, you two?"

"Not much," said Charlie Brown.

"Dolores took all of us to the zoo yesterday," Frieda replied.

"Oh yeah, how was that?" asked Patty.

"It was fun," Charlie Brown stated. "I'm just sorry you guys missed it."

"That's all right, Chuck. I was busy studying up for a pop quiz on Monday. And Franco, here, was also studying with me. Marcie and Hans was probably doing the same." And the four kids continued to talk through the afternoon.

NEXT CHAPTER: BOILING POINT