The Anniversary

"The Anniversary" is the 15th episode in the third season of Punky Brewster.

Summary
Henry has bought tickets to the circus which is scheduled for the next day, May 9. When Cherie starts acting strange and says she can't go to the circus, Punky remembers that Punky's diary says that Cherie acted the same way on May 9 of last year. Punky wants to know why Cherie likes to be alone on May 9 of every year, so Punky decides to follow Cherie around on May 9—and discovers that May 9 is the anniversary of the day Cherie's parents, Ronald George Johnson and Elizabeth Marie Johnson, were killed in a car accident in 1981. Cherie is understandably still having problems coping with the tragedy. Cherie feels guilty about it, thinking that the accident was her fault because Ronald and Elizabeth were on their way to pick her up from school on that day. Punky talks to Betty, who says that Cherie never talks about Ronald and Elizabeth, not even to Betty, and has never even been to the cemetery where her parents were buried. Cherie has kept her feelings about the deaths all balled up inside of her, and Betty doesn't think that's healthy. Betty thinks Cherie needs to find a way to let out her feelings about the deaths. An understanding Punky compassionately talks to Cherie, and takes her to the cemetery. As Cherie visits Ronald and Elizabeth's grave for the first time and says everything that she has wanted to say to her parents, Cherie breaks down, sobbing uncontrollably. Punky is there to help Cherie finish saying what she wants to say, and it seems that Punky is making progress in helping Cherie come to terms with the deaths of her parents.

Trivia

 * The origin of Cherie's parents of how they died is explained.

Cast

 * Soleil Moon Frye as Punky Brewster
 * Cherie Johnson as Cherie Johnson
 * George Gaynes as Henry Warnimont
 * Susie Garrett as Betty Johnson
 * Ami Foster as Margaux Kramer
 * Sandy as Brandon "the Wonder Dog"