Author’s note: I know, this isn’t Night of Silence and you all want to find out what the mud means. Sorry, but I needed a break for something fun. This extremely short story is set a few weeks after Night ends and adds nothing to my universe storyline except a fun date for Trixie and Jim.
Time In A Bottle
By Yankeegirl
Trixie rolled over on her back and winced as the sunlight hit her in the face. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked over at her boyfriend Jim Frayne, who was dozing on the blanket next to her. After three weeks out of school, the freckles on his bare chest had mushed together into a tan.
The couple had a free afternoon for the first time since Trixie’s school year ended last week. Diana Lynch volunteered to watch Trixie’s younger brother, Bobby, so she could have the afternoon off.
And I bet the idea of being around to see Mart working in the garden didn’t hurt either. Di had a huge crush on Mart, but he didn’t seem to notice. Trixie couldn’t see the attraction - Mart was such a pest - but she tried to encourage it. Besides, anything that meant more time with Jim was a bonus.
Trixie sat up, caught sight of Jim’s t-shirt lying on the grass, and sighed. Every time she and Jim had time alone, something always reminded her of the summer hours ticking away. This time it was the giant tiger paw print on his University of Missouri shirt. Jim wouldn’t start his freshman year for almost two months, but sometimes it seemed only two days away to Trixie.
Too bad I can’t find more time somewhere. Mr. Lytell ought to sell it in his store, right next to the strawberry pop. Oh, well. I’m not going to waste what little time we have.
She had a wicked grin on her face as Trixie leaned over and tickled Jim’s bare skin. The redhead’s eyes popped open like Bobby’s old jack-in-the-box. Trixie managed to get in a few good tickles before Jim figured out was going on. Then he started tickling back. Trixie erupted into giggles as the two wrestled on the blanket.
Trixie wasn’t sure what happened next, but she found herself lying on the blanket under Jim, kissing him. Their hands moved all over each other, caressing instead of tickling. Trixie gasped as she felt Jim’s hands on her back.
He paused and pulled away. "I’m sorry, Trix. I didn’t mean to go too far…"
"No, it’s okay. I kind of like it. I was just surprised." She tried to pull him close again.
"Well, if you’re sure," Jim said. Trixie thought he sounded skeptical, so she decided to convince him.
She slid her right hand up his back, pulled his head down to meet hers and kissed him again. As their kiss deepened, Jim’s hands moved back under Trixie’s shirt. Instead of her back, he caressed her stomach and then slid his hands further up.
As he explored, Trixie gasped again, but when Jim went to pull away, she put her hand over his. "No, don’t," she said.
The next thing she knew, the sun had started to set below the trees. Trixie and Jim reluctantly sat up.
"Where did the day go," he said. "It seems like we just got here." He picked up his shirt and reluctantly pulled it on.
"I don’t know," she said. "Today feels like it could go on forever, and I can’t think of anything I’d like more." Trixie straightened her rumpled shirt and ran her fingers through her disheveled curls. They packed up the blanket and headed home.
Every day that feels like forever is one more day before I have to let him go. If only I could bottle today up and pull it out when he’s in Missouri. With that thought, Trixie wrapped her arm around Jim’s waist and leaned on his shoulder as they walked to Crabapple Farm.
The End