CHAPTER 2: FIRST STEPS IN MAKING PEACE

Linus was working at the bookstore he worked at. He was a model worker and everyone respected him at what he did. While he kept focused on his job, the uneasy reunion with Sally was fresh on his mind. He never intended to hurt her, although he did inadvertently. He just never thought of her as a potential girlfriend. But now seeing her since coming back because of her father's illness, a flood of emotions and seeing her in a new light that he hadn't before, Linus was starting to re-evaluate his feelings for his best friend's sister.

Sally had, by coincidence, walked into the bookstore. She was looking for a book to read while at the hospital staying with Silas. Linus just so happened to see her walk in. He decided to throw caution to the wind and greet her.

"Hey, Sally," he said. She looked up, looking annoyed, but not to the degree that she did in the beginning.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, curtly.

"I actually work here," he said, meekly. "If you don't want to talk, I'll leave. Just, no putting me down, please."

"No, it's okay, Linus," she assured him. "You had no idea I was coming in, as much as I had no idea of you working here. In fact, maybe you can help me."

"Oh?"

"I was looking for a good mystery to read. I wonder if this place had any good mystery books."

"Oh, we have quite the selection. Over here is where our mysteries are." And Linus directed Sally towards where the mysteries were. She looked at him and thought to herself he is trying to be cordial and nice. And he really never treated her mean like Schroeder did with his sister.

"Linus," she began, "would you want to have a coffee with me sometime while I'm here? This won't be a date, because I have Gene now. Just two friends. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Of course. Just two friends catching up."

"Okay, here's my number." And Sally wrote down her number on a piece of paper and handed it to Linus. "Give me a call sometime tonight. Charlie will be sitting with our father then. Around 5 or 5:30."

"Okay, Sally. Thanks again."

"Sure. Thanks for the recommendations, Linus." And Sally took her book to the checkout lane. Linus just stared at her. How did Charlie Brown's kid sister become such a gorgeous woman, he wondered. Linus knew he missed his chance by his own ignoring her and fighting her advances. Hopefully they could make peace and be good friends, instead.

At the hospital, Silas was watching TV. He wasn't eating much of anything anymore, and even drinking liquids had been slowing up. Maureen was worried about her husband's outcome. He had been this tower of strength, confidence, and masculinity, now withered down to a frail, gaunt, and sick shell of a man, waiting at death's door. There were times when either Charlie Brown or Sally were there to sit with him letting Maureen get some much-needed rest, she would often cry herself to sleep. Other times she would stay up and listen for the phone to call about that inevitable moment where she would get "the call". Her kids would tell her to get some rest, lest she get ill herself.

Sally had gotten back from the bookstore when she saw her mother sleeping at her makeshift bed the hospital made up for her. Sally placed her blanket over her. Silas looked over.

"Hey, sweetie," he greeted her.

"How are you feeling, dad?" she asked.

"For someone nearing closer to the great beyond, not bad," he replied with some humor.

"I wish you wouldn't say that."

"Well, it's true, baby. You and Charlie will need to look out for your mother. I've accepted it and I'm okay with it. You two have been a pillar of strength throughout this ordeal. I was especially glad that Charlie came back, seeing his hatred for this city often kept him away for this long until now."

"Well, your situation trumped his adverse feelings about Sparkyville. Only family emergencies will make him come back here. Any other time, he would avoid this place as much as he could. Family before grievances against a city." And Sally and Silas continued to watch TV together as Maureen slept. Soon Charlie Brown would take over for Sally, and she would meet up with Linus for coffee.

NEXT CHAPTER: WHY SHE (PEPPERMINT PATTY) LEFT