CHAPTER 2: MARCIE'S REQUEST
Charlie Brown was in the backyard sitting on the stoop. He was looking at Snoopy's old doghouse. He was surprised that it was still standing, despite being worn and wood-rotted, with the red paint flaking off in large sections. Only the light from the back door showed that he was sitting there in the otherwise pitch-black night. Marcie had come out of the house. She sat down next to her man, holding his arm. He looked over at Marcie. He still couldn't believe they were actually together.
"Doing some thinking?" she asked him.
"Yeah, about everything that has happened up to now," Charlie Brown replied. "Just how I swore I'd never return here, unless something happened to my parents. Even with what's happening with my father, I still find it surreal to be back in Sparkyville after all this time. I also thought about how you were throwing me hints about how you felt about me, and still didn't get the signals."
"I think we both didn't know how to truly say what we were feeling."
"You know, Marcie, when you asked if I liked you and I always said 'Do I WHAT?!', know that I didn't say that out of malice or anything like that. I was genuinely shocked that anyone would like me. I liked you, and now that I know how you truly felt for me, I love you."
"I'm glad you said that, Charles. I wanted you to do me a favor."
"Name it."
"I want to be with you, Charles. If that means me packing up and going with you to Anchorage, or you actually moving back here, as long as I'm with you in whatever you decide, I will be happy. I don't want to lose you again."
"Well, Marcie, I think it will be the latter because I've already decided to come back here to Sparkyville. I'm taking over the barber shop for dad."
"You are?!"
"Yes, I am. Which means I will be back here in Sparkyville."
Marcie smiled ear to ear. "I am so glad you're returning home, Charles!" She immediately kissed him.
"I still need to tie up loose ends back in Anchorage. But once I'm done with that, I'm back here for good." Marcie hugged him tightly. She was happy that her boyfriend would be back and to stay and not just visit. And Charlie Brown figured enough time had passed that he could return, especially with him and Violet making peace.
Elsewhere, Linus was walking home from the bookstore. Even though he owned a car, he liked to walk from time to time. He had walked past the Brown's home, where he saw Sally in the window of her room. Clad only in a short-sleeved crop top and matching shorts, Linus was amazed at how lovely Sally had become. Years ago he never would have dreamt of dating Sally, but now he was starting to have feelings for her. Only problem was that she had someone now in Gene. He knew that when Sally had her mind on her man, it was made up. It was him and no one else. Linus regretted that he missed his chance. But he was too aloof, too willing to say he wasn't her Sweet Babboo, and he never got the chance to date a beautiful woman like her. He kept on walking, but also seeing Charlie Brown and Marcie on the back stoop. Charlie Brown saw his best friend walking by.
"Hey, Linus, come join us," he offered.
"Thanks, dude, but pretty tired," Linus said, slightly fibbing. "Think I'm going to call it a night."
"Okay, I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay, Charlie Brown. See you two later."
"Goodnight, Linus," said Marcie.
NEXT CHAPTER: AT PEACE IN THE HOUSE OF THE KING
