Chapter 1

Friday, May 22, 1987

Trixie had just finished her last class of the week. Only one more week of classes, followed by three days of final exams and she would be done with school for the summer. While she was looking forward to her final year of high school, one of the things about college she was looking forward to was being done with classes before Memorial Day.

“Come on, squaw,” said her almost twin brother, Mart. “Time’s a wasting. Prodigal son Brian should be home right now and unless I miss my guess, Moms is fixing his favorites for dinner and it isn’t a Crabapple Special.”

Trixie hurriedly made her way to her locker and grabbed her algebra and chemistry books. Despite the excitement of having all seven of the Bob-Whites home for the weekend and most of the summer, she knew she would have to dedicate some time to studying if she wanted to maintain her good grades in both subjects. It had taken a lot of discipline and hard work to keep those grades up. She hadn’t done it alone. Many nights had been spent on the phone between her, Honey and Di working through the problems. When they were all stumped, Dan and Mart would help them out but as the school year progressed that had occurred fewer and fewer times.

Honey and Diana were at their lockers as Trixie approached. “Are you guys going to be able to make it for dinner at the farm tonight?” she asked.

Honey glanced away, trying not to show her discomfort. Quickly she answered, “Well, Mother and Dad wanted to take Jim and me out to the country club to celebrate Jim being home for most of the summer.”

Honey and Brian had dated long distance for a year and a half. Right after Christmas they had decided that maybe they should break up. Fall semester had been particularly tough for Brian. Organic chemistry had taken more time than he had anticipated. All Honey had heard when they did get a chance to talk on the phone or see each other was how swamped he was in school and how guilty he felt not being able to spend more time with Honey. Eventually, he had convinced Honey they should break up. Honey had reluctantly agreed to the break up and still hadn’t quite understood his reasoning, but she didn’t want to date someone who didn’t want to date her.

Honey and Brian’s break-up had precipitated Jim and Trixie’s. Trixie had tried to stick her nose into their business and Jim had put his foot down. Jim would admit it now that he was somewhat relieved when, in the heat of an argument, Trixie broke up with him. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to date Trixie. Jim had known for years that he would eventually spend the rest of his life with Trixie. He, too, was feeling overwhelmed with school. He didn’t want to burden Trixie with his feelings and he didn’t want her to sit around waiting for him, especially since spring semester was going to be his toughest yet. Unfortunately, Trixie didn’t understand any of this. She saw it as Jim rejecting her.

The first two months of the semester had been difficult for all four friends. Trixie was so wrapped up in her misery that she could barely talk to Honey. Because they had dated each other’s brothers, it was difficult to talk to one another about their feelings. Diana refused to get between the two friends but showed grace and maturity by listening to her friends and not criticizing but supporting them.

A disastrous spring break that included Trixie going out on a date with the basketball team captain of Sleepyside’s rival, Croton-on-the-Hudson, had finally made Trixie realize she needed and valued Jim’s friendship more than their romantic relationship. It hadn’t taken Honey quite that long to figure it out.

The two future detectives had also solved their own mystery and began working on their friendship again. They vowed never to let any man come between their friendship, no matter who it was.

As the semester wore on, not only had Trixie and Honey’s friendship grown but both girls had been able to renew their friendships with their former beaux. Jim and Brian were both trying to cram four years of college into three while still getting good enough grades to get into graduate school and medical school. While all four missed the romance, what they missed more was the friendships that had been the cornerstones of their relationships.

Something would happen in school or at home and Trixie would immediately want to call Jim and talk about it. Honey would be struggling with chemistry and want to call Brian to ask him to explain it.

Not only were Trixie, Jim, Honey and Brian relieved that they had come up with a solution to their conflict, the rest of the Bob-Whites were as well. When the seven were reunited at the state basketball tournament, they had all made a vow that even though their friendships might have their ups-and-downs, they would all work hard at keeping those friendships intact. Even so, there were still awkward times between Honey and Brian, and Jim and Trixie. Tonight was one of them.

“Oh, Honey,” Trixie sighed. “I was hoping you would be able to make it. I was looking forward to the Bob-Whites being together. It’s been almost a month since we were all together for my birthday. Moms is fixing all of Brian’s favorites, roasted chicken with real mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, green beans and salad made from the first lettuce from the garden. For dessert she’s made chocolate cake and apple pie.” She wouldn’t let on that she was also disappointed that Jim wouldn’t be there.

“Yummy, yum,” Honey replied. “My mouth’s watering now. Maybe we can skip dessert at the country club and stop by later. No one makes desserts like your mom.”

The girls turned to join Diana, Mart, and Dan and head out to the Bob-White station wagon. The five friends took turns driving the car to and from school. Honey was driving this week so she would drop them all off at Crabapple Farm before returning to her home, Manor House.

As they pulled into the driveway of the farm, Brian had just come outside with the egg basket in his hands.

Trixie groaned, “I’m never going to hear the end of it. I was up studying late last night for an English quiz and overslept. I didn’t get the eggs picked this morning, so now the first thing Brian’s got to do when he gets home is my chores.”

When Brian spotted the car, he placed the basket on the steps, stood up and waited for it to stop. As soon as it had come to a complete halt, Trixie had opened her door and bounded out to greet her brother in a tight embrace.

“Happy summer break,” she said. “Sorry about you getting dumped with the eggs.”

After returning her hug, Brian said, “I didn’t get dumped with the job. I volunteered. I think I was driving Moms crazy waiting for you guys to get home. Tom was at our apartment first thing this morning to haul home the things we needed for the summer. It sure is nice having the apartment next year as well.”

By now everyone else was out of the car and embracing Brian. Excited chatter was all that could be heard for several minutes. Honey had shyly hugged Brian when she realized that she couldn’t get by without one. After a brief greeting she said, “Well, I really need to get home. Our reservation is at five o’clock. Mother and Dad are leaving for California right after dinner. He has some important meetings this weekend to tie up his latest merger.”

Brian blinked and said, “You’re not going to be able to join us for dinner?”

Honey shook her head, “Neither is Jim. Mother and Dad have had this planned for weeks. We’re going to the country club to celebrate the end of the semester with Jim.”

Brian’s shoulders slumped imperceptibly. “Have a good time,” he said.

Honey’s eyes sparked when she realized that Brian was disappointed she wouldn’t be there for dinner. “We’ll be by later for dessert,” she said. “I wouldn’t pass up your mom’s chocolate cake and apple pie for anything.”

After a few more minutes of conversation, Honey looked at her watch and realized she had better get going if she wanted to freshen up before leaving for the country club.

As Honey backed out of the driveway, Trixie bent down to pick up her backpack and headed into the house. As she opened the door, the beloved family dog, Reddy, came out to see who was there.

Reddy had always been overactive and greeted most people by trying to jump up and give them a slobbery kiss. As Reddy approached one of his most favorite people, Diana, he didn’t seem to have the spring in his step he had had a month ago.

When he stopped in front of Diana and sat down politely to wait to be patted, Brian commented, “Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” He bent down to pat the Irish setter on his head and praise him.

“Oh, Bobby checked out Dog Training for Dummies at the library a couple of weeks ago,” said Mart. “He’s been working with him daily and actually shown some progress.” Mart paused a few seconds before adding, “Yeah, now he will sit before he jumps up and slobbers on you. I’m not sure how Diana escaped a kiss today. Other than me, he’s the only non-relative Diana allows to kiss her.”

Finally, the group headed to the house. Brian continued on his way to the chicken coop, while the remaining four headed into the house and upstairs to deposit their book bags and freshen up.

As always, dinner at the Belden house was a fun one. Everyone helped to put the finishing touches on the meal and get the table set. Conversation around the table jumped from anecdotes about college Brian shared, to the frog Larry and Terry Lynch had caught and place on their teacher’s chair. With Bobby telling the story, it got wilder and wilder throughout the telling.

“I certainly hope you didn’t have any part of those shenanigans,” said Peter Belden trying to look stern and not laugh at the story.

“Oh, no,” said Bobby innocently. “I knew nothing about it until Mrs. Peabody just missed squishing it to death when she went to sit on her chair.” No one but Trixie noticed that Bobby had put his hands behind his back and crossed his fingers as he replied. Trixie nudged Mart, who what was sitting next to her, and pointed it out. It would be good blackmail material for a future date.

When all but dessert was consumed, the young adults and Bobby shooed the adults out of the kitchen. Bobby, Diana and Trixie started clearing the table and putting away the food while Brian, Mart and Dan washed and put away the dishes. Working as a team, it didn’t take long to get the kitchen back to sparkling.

With the dishes done, the group adjourned to the family room where Peter Belden had set up Pictionary. Trixie groaned. It was well known among the Bob-Whites and their families that Trixie was horrible at this game. Her drawings made stick men look like a Rembrandt and because she let her imagination run wild she always over thought what other people were drawing.

The classic example was the day that Diana had tried to draw the book title Gone with the Wind. Trixie had suggested it was The Grapes of Wrath. For ten minutes the group had laughed so hard their stomachs ached. Trixie had taken the teasing in great stride. Over the years she had matured, and learned how to laugh at herself and not get angry with her brothers for teasing her.

It helped that Mart’s drawing abilities were no better than Trixie’s. Trixie still was scratching her head several months later over the dog Mart had drawn that looked like a frying pan to her.

“Come on, Dad, you need to find a new game,” Trixie said.

Mr. Belden’s eye twinkled, “We could play the suitcase game. I’ve just restocked them after I stopped by Goodwill last week. I found a wonderful bikini, moth eaten tuxedo and army boots.”

“You win, Dad,” said Mart. “I’ll take Pictionary over the Suitcase Game any day. Especially since I know you’ve been tweaking the rules to the Suitcase Game.”

The group was in the middle of a rousing game when Honey and Jim poked their heads through the kitchen door and in unison said, “Yoo-hoo, anyone home?” The two burst out laughing like they always did when they entered Crabapple Farm.

The game stopped as the group got up to greet the new guests. Mart and Dan greeted Jim with that man shake, hug, slap on the back that good guy friends gave each other. Diana shyly approached Jim, gave him a hug and a gentle peck on his cheek. Only Trixie held back. She wanted to run into his arms and give him a huge hug but she didn’t.

Jim finally extracted himself from Diana and glanced over at Trixie. He wiggled his fingers in a wave that Trixie returned. Finally, he walked over and embraced her in a brotherly hug. As much as part of Trixie would have liked it to have been more romantic, she realized it was the type of hug she needed and wanted from Jim right now. She had plenty of time to become the girlfriend to Jim that they both deserved.

“How’s it going, Shamus?” Jim asked. “Are you ready for your chemistry final?”

“Well, my final isn’t for over a week, so I have plenty of time. I’m having a little trouble with the organic part Mr. Stone introduced last week but I should be able to figure it out.”

Jim released Trixie from his embrace but was in no hurry to leave her side. “Well, if you need any help, you know how to get in touch with me.”

Trixie flashed Jim one of those brilliant smiles that always melted his heart. “Thanks,” she said. “Honey, Di, and I have been working together and you’d be surprised how well we’ve been able to figure it out on our own. Of course, if we get stuck we’ll know where to find the best tutors in the world.”

Jim started to reach up towards one of Trixie’s wayward curls, in particular the curl that he had claimed for his own. He stopped himself, realizing that it wasn’t his to tug anymore.

Trying to tactfully escape an uncomfortable situation, Trixie said to everyone, “Who’s ready for cake and pie?”

Mart’s hand shot up, followed quickly by the rest of the Bob-Whites’ hands. Trixie headed to the kitchen while someone else took orders. She was busying herself getting the plates and forks out when she heard someone enter the kitchen.

“So did Mart try to convince you that he needed a large piece of each of them?” she said, not glancing up to see who had come to help out.

Suddenly, someone placed their arms around her and spun her around. Immediately, she knew it was Jim and she relaxed in his embrace. For several minutes, Trixie enjoyed the feel of having Jim’s arms securely around her. Then she slowly pulled away with the pretense of getting the dessert served.

Jim gently pulled her back to him for one last hug. “I know we said we were going to take it slow, but I just wanted to let you know that I missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too, Jim,” Trixie replied, “but we both know that we need to do a little more soul searching and I for one need to do a little more growing up before I think we can successfully resume the relationship that we had.”

“You’re right, of course,” Jim said, “and I don’t want to push you either.”

Trixie turned and started to cut the pie. “I know you don’t, and I don’t mind a comforting hug now and again. It will remind me what I’m fighting myself for.” She paused and then, as if someone flicked a switch in her brain, said, “I know Mart’s order. What does everyone else want?”

With quick hands, Jim and Trixie not only served up the dessert but also poured glasses of milk for everyone. They were about to start to carry the plates into the family room when they were joined by the rest of the Bob-Whites.

Brian winked at Trixie as he said, “We decided we’d better find out what was keeping you so long. Since you and Mart are ‘twins’ for the next few weeks, we were worried that you might have eaten all of the dessert.” He came up beside Trixie and whispered, “Everything all right?”

Trixie nodded slightly as she handed out the desserts for everyone. Over the past few months, her relationship with Brian had changed. He had proved to be a great sounding board without ever betraying anything Jim or Trixie had told him. At times it must have been difficult, but Trixie often realized after a conversation with him that Brian usually didn’t offer any advice, only asked pointed questions and listened.

Soon everyone had finished their desserts. This time, Mr. and Mrs. Belden shooed everyone else out of the kitchen and did the clean up. As the group settled down to enjoy watching The Sting, they could hear noises coming from the kitchen that didn’t sound like dishwashing.

 

 

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