RELATIONSHIPS
Schroeder was concentrating on his music, moving his hands onto the piano keys as Linus watched, sat down from across the instrument.
"What piece is this?"
"This" Schroeder wrapped up his piano playing and stared at him, "it's called Appassionata, 1st Movement"
"Huh" Linus continued listening, "It might be my favourite, out of what you've been playing so far"
Schroeder analysed the sheet of music. He didn't expect that sort of preference from Linus, and inquired.
"It's kind of dark" he noted, "I just thought you'd prefer something lighter"
Linus shook his head, "I've tended to think you'd prefer all your Beethoven music equally"
"But I could do something serene, or romantic" Schroeder said, then gestured, "Might help you with another blonde haired friend, besides your's truly".
Linus could sense what he was prodding at, and was just feeling annoyed.
"Schroeder" he pouted, "Janice and I are friends…close friends, as of now"
"Ah…as of now"
"And that's a figure of speech" he insisted, though Linus could feel he had a hint of elation.
"and besides" he continued, "you're not exactly romantic. When were you into partners like that"
There wasn't much response, and he worried that he'd been impolite. His friend may rather not another Van Pelt talk romance, though at least Linus wasn't crushing on him.
But Schroeder was lightly tapping a key on his piano, making a nearly muted sound.
"I need your help, Linus"
Linus looked up at him when he said that, "My help, with what Schroeder?".
"Well" Schroeder was acting very self-conscious, "You're one person, through whom I could…connect with a girl I'd like as a partner".
"A girl?" Linus peered forward, "but you've never cared much about a relationship, and" he hesitated, "Who?"
"The girl in question, well she uses blueish colours, and is around my age…and…we've known each other for a bit"
Linus became increasingly intrigued. If he was talking about his sister?. That he was switching gears when it came to her.
"…it's Samantha, Samantha Lesley…we've both met her before, remember"
Schroeder's comment made the other boy sit back again, "Oh, I'd considered…Forget it"
"So you remember"
"Yes, but haven't you already known Samantha before," Linus inquired.
"That's true. But given you know her through some of the…stuff you've done with her group, as well as being in ours".
Schroeder gestured, "Can you please help me out with her and I, connecting?".
He smiled hopefully at him, but that smile wasn't returned.
Lucy crushed on him, she craved Schroeder as her eventual partner. If now Schroeder craved another girl, and Linus helped them connect…
"Schroeder. I can't help" he said, "It's just that…there's…family".
That statement felt unsettling as it came out of his mouth. He was now wondering what the reaction was going to be from Schroeder, but, after a moment, the pianist got up.
"No, actually, I think that wasn't the something to ask of you, not after what Charlie Brown's said earlier…"
He stopped, and there, gave Linus a nod of realisation.
Seeing that, Linus felt himself going back on his statement. He couldn't leave Schroeder in a roadblock like this. And furthermore, wasn't going to make his depressive episode a roadblock in itself.
"I've changed my mind, Schroeder" he stood right beside the pianist, "I can see what I can do to help with Samantha Lesley".
Schroeder turned his head to him for a moment, as if he was considering objecting. But then, he lightly slapped Linus on the back.
"I'm glad to see your help Linus" he exclaimed, "Very happy"
"No. It's…don't mention it" Linus replied, "now, I should be going now Schroeder. I'd be called home soon anyway"
He waved as he walked back through the house, and ever so slightly winced to himself as he got to the door.
Once he heard his door close, Schroeder pushed himself from his piano. He went through to the phone placed on the kitchen wall, picked it up, dialled in a number, and called.
"Hello"
"Afternoon Charlie Brown" Schroeder said, "Now…I've just spent some time with Linus…and your's and Janice's suspicions were well founded"
"Okay Schroeder" Charlie Brown responded from over the phone, "Come round to us. We'll talk soon".