Sports journalists also flocked to Sacramento to get fresh, firsthand coverage.
Snoopy cooperated fully, answering nearly every question and explaining much about his background, except for family matters. What was planned as a 30-minute interview extended to 45 minutes. Only after repeated urging from Peterson was the session finally concluded.
As Snoopy left, a reporter from joked, "Snoopy, have you noticed you resemble a famous female singer from the '80s?"
Snoopy turned, feigning ignorance. "Who?"
"Aerith! She's my idol and recently made a comeback. I saw her at a charity gala on TV the day before yesterday."
Snoopy froze. Mom made a comeback? Impossible, his father never allowed her to appear publicly. How could she just return?
Peterson led Snoopy to the court, but unease filled his mind. Knowing his father's pride and stubbornness, how could he allow Mom back into the entertainment industry?
And, they hadn't sent money in four months. Could his father have gone bankrupt?
Thinking of dramatic TV storylines, Snoopy hurried to the locker room and grabbed his phone.
As he dialed his father, the phone rang, his father was calling.
Snoopy quickly answered, barely able to speak before his father's cheerful voice boomed:
"Little rascal, you're doing great! I saw your news today, your old man's face is glowing! I strutted around the American Entrepreneurs Association this morning with your paper, showing off big time. Felt so damn good!"
"I was worried you'd be cooped up studying and ignoring exercise. But look at you, starting center on your school team. Quietly getting rich while I thought you were just studying!"
"And I saw you're 195 cm now, taller than your old man. Your grandma was tall too, nearly 1.8 m. But the genes skipped me and landed on you. Lucky kid."
His father, as always, was lighthearted and teasing.
This time, however, Snoopy didn't joke back. He lowered his voice: "Dad, is something wrong at home?"
"Nah! What could be wrong? You just getting too comfy, huh?"
"Then why did Mom make a comeback?"
"She can't sit still. No hobbies, doesn't even play chess. When you were home, she could spend time with you. Now she's alone, nagging me to let her perform again. I couldn't say no, so I agreed."
"Really nothing else?" Snoopy asked, still skeptical.
"Don't doubt your old man. Remember, son, if the sky falls, I'll hold it up. The fortune teller said you're destined to be wealthy and carefree. So chill and just enjoy being a rich second-generation. Anyway, gotta go, phone's ringing. Talk later!"
Click.
Though his father's voice was unchanged, Snoopy sensed something was being hidden.
He tried calling his mom, no answer.
Flipping through contacts, he found his father's driver.
"Hello, Uncle John. This is Snoopy."
"Oh, Snoopy! What's up?" came the deep voice.
Snoopy ignored the misnomer. "Uncle John, has dad run into trouble recently?"
"I'm not sure. I resigned and started my own small business. But I heard Mr. Doug might be in a bit of a jam."
"What kind of jam?"
"Bank loans cut off. Cash flow problems."
"But dad's company's cash flow was always healthy."
"Earlier this year, a major construction accident in New York caused the Safety Bureau to halt projects. The loans had just been repaid, bridge funds hadn't arrived yet, then this happened. Banks cut loans. Rumor has it Mr. Doug sold properties, and some say your mom returned to work to help with finances, but… that money is just a drop in the bucket."
Snoopy's mood sank.
"Uncle John, how big is dad's funding gap?"
"Not sure exactly, but tens of millions at least. Trust Mr. Doug; he just can't cover the gap at the moment. Plus, he still has land holdings. Just focus on your studies, don't worry about it."
"Alright."
Snoopy hung up, the weight of family troubles pressing down.