Group Writing Project #3
A note to readers: This is an adaptation of the original Unexpected some of you may have read. You might recognize the first few pages as being essentially the same as the original story but after that, this story is very different!
Unexpected
By Diann
So, you agree it's time.
Yes, sir. I just want him happy, just like I did when I lived there.
I think you're a wise, caring, unselfish woman.
Why, thank you, sir. I consider that the highest of praise.
Do you think that he'll need a sign?
Yes, I do. I think my grandmother's gold heart necklace will be just the thing.
Trixie was enjoying a quiet but busy break before school started back for the summer quarter. Her parents and Bobby had gone on vacation to visit some friends in Chicago. Jim, Mart and Brian were acting as chaperones for the annual end-of-school field trip to the Catskills for the high school's Conservation Club. Honey and her mother were accompanying Di and Mrs. Lynch on a trip to New York, where Di was auditioning for a part in Turner Street Station, a wildly popular police drama series.
Trixie smiled as she remembered the day Diana had been "discovered." It was certainly something out of a book or movie. Honey, Di, and Trixie had been on a girls-weekend-away to New York. They were enjoying hot fudge sundaes at Scottie's, a sidewalk pastry and ice cream shoppe across from Central Park. They were laughing and talking and the more they talked, the sillier they got. Suddenly, normally quite-shy Di grabbed the rose out of the vase on their table, stuck it in her hair, and jumped up on her chair. She flung out her arms and began reciting, "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?!'
She continued the soliloquy and other customers put down their forks and spoons to enjoy the impromptu show. The diner at the next table picked up his professional camera and began snapping pictures. Occasionally he would call out a direction and Di gladly obliged. After it was over, Di was overcome with embarrassment as she received a standing ovation from her admirers. The photographer walked over and handed his business card to her.
"I think you belong on the screen, miss. I do some freelance work for Columbia-TriStar and with your permission I'd like to show your pictures to some of the casting directors I know. Call my office next week and I'll let you know how it went."
Di just looked at him wide-eyed and nodded. She nearly didn't call but after a considerable amount of coaxing by Honey and Trixie she did. To her surprise, Columbia-TriStar wanted her to come right away for a screen test.
On this Sunday, Trixie started up the well-traveled path from her cozy home on Crabapple Farm to the stables at the Manor House. With everyone away, she had promised Regan she would do double-duty in exercising the horses. In addition she was helping out as the receptionist at the bank since Mrs. Benson was out with her son following his emergency appendectomy.
Trixie had recently celebrated her twenty-first birthday and she was feeling somewhat at loose ends emotionally.
Almost two years before she and Jim had finally tried to become serious with each other. They had shared a romantic dinner and afterwards went to a dance at the country club. Trixie recalled her heart beating wildly as they danced to You Are So Beautiful. His hand on her back slid down to just below her waist and he pulled her closer. When the song ended, Jim silently took her by the hand and led her out to the deck that overlooked the pool. He drew her close and put his warm lips against hers. Time froze. Trixie burst out laughing. Jim drew back, looking at her with hurt and questions in his eyes. He then understood and broke into a wide smile himself.
"Oh, Jim, I'm so sorry," she said through her giggles. "This is moment I've dreamed of since I was thirteen years old. But now, after all this time.."
"It's kinda' like kissing your brother, right?" Jim finished for her. "I know. I was having the same thoughts."
So that was their first and last romantic date. They had shared a lot of good times since then, sometimes with the rest of the BobWhites and sometimes just the two of them, but always just as best friends. She felt so fortunate that they had found out their real feelings before a serious relationship dissolved into bitter memories.
Trixie had dated but nothing she particularly enjoyed. All Kevin wanted to do was brag about his high school football days. Jason tried to explain everything that was going on in the movies they went to see. Roger's vocabulary seemed to be limited to "Uh, huh," "I guess so," and "no, not really." And those were the better ones.
Trixie arrived at the stables and saw Tom polishing the Wheelers' white Lincoln Continental. Sitting off to the side was the beautiful deep forest green 1960 Jaguar XKE he was restoring. Seeing Tom brought a quick tear to Trixie's eyes. It had been almost a year since Celia's death. It had caught them all off guard. Celia had begun to feel tired; some days she was unable to complete her duty time. Mrs. Wheeler had hired an assistant for Celia, but even with that Celia grew wearier.
Everyone felt that Celia was just suffering from overexertion since she normally put in 8 to 10 hours a day during the week and worked evenings and weekends for special occasions. She and Tom rarely took any time off other than their normal off days. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler insisted on giving them a nice vacation to the sugary white sands of Florida's Gulf Coast. Celia enjoyed walking the beach hand in hand with her handsome Tom and wandering through the seaside gift shops but would have to lie down for frequent naps.
One morning she woke to find what looked like a large oblong blood blister in her mouth. Tom wanted to immediately take her to a doctor but Celia insisted there was nothing to it. But when the blister broke, Tom had been unable to stop the bleeding for nearly 30 minutes. His concern turned into sheer panic when they saw blood in the toilet. He immediately called Mr. Wheeler, who sent his private jet to pick them up and transport them to his doctor in New York City.
Celia went through a battery of tests, including many types of blood tests and a bone marrow test. The diagnosis was horrifying--a fatal form of anemia. The prognosis was even worse--Celia had only two weeks to live. She lived for 10 more days and quietly slipped away.
Trixie saddled Lady and started down toward the game preserve. They had only gone a short way from the stable, when a rabbit hopped out of a bush and across their path, giving Lady a violent start. She reared up and pawed at the air. Over the years Trixie had become an excellent horsewoman and soon had Lady calmed and ready to complete their ride.
Tom knew it was his day off but the Continental was not looking its shiny best. He had wanted to spend the day working on his Jag but knew he could not keep his mind on it while the Continental was not at its best. He remembered how Celia and ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the Lincoln the day he and Mr. Wheeler had brought it home. Pearl white exterior, tan leather interior, and every option offered on the luxury vehicle, including a ten speaker Bose stereo system.
Celia. There wasn't a day that he didn't think of her, although now he could do it without dissolving into a mound of quivering, crying flesh. He relived with a smile her pert upturned nose, the way she would smile at him whenever he called her Cilly.
Tom had dated a time or two in the last few months but nothing ever worked out. Everyone thought it was because he was still grieving but he knew that wasn't the case. He had just not found anyone in whom he was interested. Joy had spent the entire night on her cell phone on business calls; Susan had come on to him about the time she got in the car; and Caroline had giggled at everything he said, from "shall I pick you up at 7:00" to "would you like butter on your popcorn."
About that time, he heard Lady give out a frightened whinny and looked up just as she reared up high in the air. He threw down his rag in anticipation of running to pick up the rider off the ground. But what he saw was Trixie expertly lean forward and grip the saddle hard with her knees. She quickly had Lady calmed and trotting off toward the game preserve.
Trixie. Tom smiled. She had grown up to be a very beautiful young lady. He could not believe his eyes when he had seen her down by the lake a few days ago. She had developed what the guys would call a knockout figure. She used to be just a kid to him when the Wheelers hired him, but no one could call her a kid now.
"Trixie, hmmm," Tom thought. "I wonder if she would be interested….nah, probably not."
After two hours in the Hudson River Valley heat, Tom was near exhaustion. Whew, what I need is a dip in the lake.
Trixie stopped Lady in the woods just at the edge of the lake. The cool water was beckoning her to come in. Trixie looked at her watch and knew that she still had Strawberry and Susie to ride, not to mention the time it would take to clean the tack once all three horses had been ridden. No, better not. This responsible adulthood stinks.
About that time Tom appeared at the door of the boathouse. Trixie opened her mouth to call to him but what she saw stopped her. She held her mouth open, but not because she was going to say anything.
Tom emerged, wearing a Speedo swim suit and was looking mighty fine. He walked into the water and quickly submerged himself in the luxurious coolness.
Trixie felt her heart beating in syncopated rhythms and a strange weakness in her knees. Trixie shook her head sharply and turned Lady back into woods.
Trixie had just finished grooming Lady and wiping down the saddle, getting it ready to put on Susie, when a noise behind her caused her to look around. It was Tom. Trixie felt the heat rising in her face. She blushed and stammered, "Oh, hi, Tom. What are you doing?" Besides making me all jittery inside.
"Hey, Trix. I was just about to start working on the Jag and thought I'd raid Regan's refrigerator for a Pepsi. Want one?"
"Sure, that'd be great. I did get rather hot out riding Lady. I've got Susie and Strawberry to exercise this afternoon, so I guess I'll just take it with me. But I didn't think anyone but me had the nerve to swipe Regan's stuff," Trixie laughed.
Tom took a long gulp, nearly choking as Trixie flashed him that dazzling white smile of hers. A thought popped in his mind. "Say, would you like some company? I could ride Strawberry and that way you'd get through quicker."
Tom is offering to go horseback riding with me and not work on his car? "Tom, that's so sweet of you to offer, but you aren't fond of horses but you love that Jag. I would feel badly about your spending your afternoon off riding with me."
"No problem, Trixie. It's time I expanded my horizons to include other interests besides cars and hunting. Besides, there's not really anything more I can do to the Jag. The right rear quarter panel I bought from a guy in California hasn't come in yet, so I'm really at a standstill." I hope she doesn't see that big box leaned up against the back of the garage.
"Okay, then it's settled! I've been duly elected to expand your horizons!" Trixe said, with a big smile on her face. "And while we helping ourselves to Regan's food, grab a couple of those Snickers he keeps in the freezer."
Tom couldn't believe it when he looked down at his watch. They had been riding for almost two hours. It seemed like no more than thirty minutes. He could not recall having this much fun in a long time. Trixie's sense of humor had kept him in stitches for a good portion of the ride. He enjoyed the spirited discussion they had on Mets versus Yankees and the designated hitter rule. He thought she was wise beyond her years when it came to equal rights and health care for the elderly. And he had appreciated the quiet times when Trixie just let the beauty of nature do the talking.
Wow, this girl really is the total package.
He was really sad his time with Trixie was about over when he saw the Manor House come into view. About that time a loud clap of thunder reverberated and Tom looked up to see that the sky above them had turned black. Well, I wonder where my mind was not to notice that.
A bolt of lightening broke open the clouds, causing them to release their load on the two riders. Trixie shrieked with laughter as they galloped the horses up the hill and into the stable.
She was still laughing as she dismounted. "I really look like a mess!"
Tom thought she was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. Her curly blond now a drenched mop, rain drops dripping down her cheeks, shiny blue eyes dancing merrily.
Trixie grabbed a towel from the cabinet, collapsed on a fresh bale of hay, and began drying her hair.
Tom playfully nabbed the towel. "Oh, please, Madame. Allow me," he said as he rubbed her curls vigorously.
"Oowee, you can quit that sometime next week! Hmmm," Trixie said, closing her eyes and enjoying the attention. After a few minutes Trixie realized she had leaned forward until her head was almost touching Tom's leg. Startled, she jumped up.
"Thanks, Tom, for helping me with the horses and for this lovely new 'do I have," Trixie grinned as she fluffed the ends of her hair with the palm of her hand.
Tom returned her grin and bowed low at the waist, sweeping the towel to his side. "The pleasure, my dear Miss Belden, was definitely all mine. Seriously, Trixie, I had a great time. I haven't done much since, well, you know."
Trixie placed her hand on Tom's arm and brushed his cheek with a quick kiss. "Yeah, I know, Tom. I'm glad you rode with me. I had fun, too."
Trixie turned quickly and ran toward the safety of Crabapple Farm. I can't believe I just did that. He probably thinks I'm a complete idiot.
Tom watched as Trixie scamper off toward her home as he reached up and touched his cheek. I wonder if she meant anything by that? No, come off it, Tom, she probably just thinks of you as a big brother.
Trixie entered the Sleepyside Bank Monday morning at 7:50 a.m. looking very professional in her navy blue pinstripe pantsuit and a crisp white shirt.
"Good morning, Deb! Hi, Lori!" she called to the tellers, who were busily counting money and getting ready for the day's banking activities.
"Hey, Trixie!" Deb said, returning her greeting. "We're glad you decided to show back up this week after that madhouse we had last Friday with the computers."
"What's a major computer crash that said every customer had a zero balance among friends?" Trixie replied. "And just because I got the brunt of all the angry phone calls and didn't have time to do my nails, well, just don't let that bother you one teensy, weensy bit!"
All three burst into laughter and then quickly smothered their chuckles as Mr. Jackson, the bank president and Mr. Belden's boss, strode into the lobby.
"Good morning, Mr. Jackson," Lori called out cheerfully.
"Yes, hello," Mr. Jackson grumped out, apparently with a great deal of effort.
After he had entered his office and out of sight, Trixie mimicked his walk. "Yes, and hello to you too!" The three again dissolved into another round of giggles.
"Oh, Trixie," Deb choked out, "please reconsider your career. You've got to stay here with us. We haven't enjoyed our work this much in years."
Lori vigorously nodded in agreement and put her hands in front of her to imitate a dog's begging posture. "Pleeeeze? I'll bring you lunch every day and everything! Oh, speaking of lunch, Deb and I are pigging out today at Wimpy's. You have to come with us."
"Sure, that would be great!" Trixe agreed. About that time the bank guard opened the front doors admitting the customers who were waiting outside and the phone began to ring on Trixie's desk.
At noon the bank guard closed and locked the front doors.
"What a morning!" Lori said as she slumped back on her stool.
"Agreed!" Deb responded as they both began to lock their computers and their cash drawers. "I'm so glad we're still an old-fashioned bank that closes down for lunch."
"Amen to that." Lori said and then called to Trixie. "You ready to go?"
"Absolutely! I'm famished. That cereal bar I inhaled at 7:30 this morning has been the sum total of my sustenance since I had a Snickers yesterday afternoon." Trixie's mind wandered back to that very pleasant stop in the game preserve where she and Tom and stopped to eat the purloined candy bars and watch a graceful deer browsing on tender honeysuckle vines.
"Hellooooooo. Earth to Trixie, Earth to Trixie, come in, Trixie!"
Trixie was startled to see that Deb and Lori were at her desk, staring at her curiously.
"Sorry, guys. I just kinda' mentally wandered off there for a minute," Trixie said as she retrieved her purse from underneath the desk.
Wimpy's was crowded with its normal noontime rush. Deb spotted her sister in a booth in a back corner. They gave their orders to the waitress behind the counter and headed toward the back.
"Hey, I knew little sisters were good for something!" Deb exclaimed and gave her sister a quick hug. "Trixie Belden, this is my sister, Lynn."
"Hi, Lynn. I remember you from school. You were in my brother Brian's class."
Lynn's eyes sparkled. "Brian Belden is your brother? Oh what a dream! How is he? Is he dating anyone?"
Deb gave her sister an exasperated look and then turned to Trixie. "You'll have to forgive my sister's shyness. She's not outspoken or anything."
Trixie laughed in reply. "That's okay. I'm used to it by now. I could win the Nobel Peace Prize and the first question a reporter would ask me would be about Brian. But, to answer your questions, Lynn, Brian is fine. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and is in medical school now. Is he dating anyone? Not really. He's much too busy with school and work to do much dating. When he's home, though, he and Honey Wheeler see each other."
"Well, if he's not happily married, then I still have a chance," Lynn said emphatically.
Deb just sighed and happily reached for the plate the waitress was handing to her.
After enjoying their delicious juicy hamburgers and mounds of spicy fries, the girls groaned as they waddled outside.
"Did you save any for me?" a male voice said from behind the group.
Trixie's heart skipped several beats as she recognized the voice. She instinctively wiped her mouth to make sure that she didn't have a ketchup-mayo-and-mustard mustache and turned to see Tom standing behind them.
"Hey, there! You know how it is in Wimpy's. Always a packed madhouse at lunch but always plenty of good food. What are you doing in town?" Trixie asked. As though it's any of my business. What if he's come to meet someone for lunch?
Trixie's three companions had turned and were staring at the handsome dark-haired man who was smiling at Trixie.
"Oops, forgive my bad manners. Lynn, Deb, and Lori, this is Tom Delanoy. He works for Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler."
Tom flashed a warm smile. "So glad to meet you." He then turned his full attention back to Trixie. "I'm going to the post office to pick up a package from my mother. Bless her heart, she gets my birthday mixed up sometimes, if she remembers it at all. This year she did real well; she was just one day off this time."
It suddenly occurred to Trixie that she hadn't a clue about Tom's birthday or his family or anything about him. She hoped that the "one day off" meant that his birthday was Tuesday and not the previous day. But how could she tactfully ask. Thank goodness Lynn came to the rescue.
"So does that mean your birthday is tomorrow, Tom?"
Tom's eyes never left Trixie but answered politely. "Yes, it is. I'll hit the big 3-0 tomorrow."
"Happy birthday for tomorrow then," Lynn responded and Lori and Deb added their well wishes too.
"Thanks so much. Trixie, will you be home tonight?"
Trixie gulped and stammered, "Yeah, yes, I… I'll be home right after the bank closes, probably around 4:30."
"Oh, okay. I " Tom stopped, not knowing quite what to say and suddenly felt as awkward as a first grader who had a crush on his teacher. The fact that Trixie's friends had Cheshire cat grins on their faces and were watching them like a tennis match made it even worse. "Well, nice to meet you. I'll talk to you later, Trix."
With that he turned and stepped into the crosswalk. A large delivery truck came to a screeching halt, just barely avoiding a collision with the tall dark-haired man who had just walked out in front of him.
After Tom was safely across the street, Lori grabbed Trixie by the arm. "Ohmigosh! Who was that gorgeous creature? Trixie, why didn't you tell us?"
Trixie's gaze was still following Tom as he entered the post office across the street. "Uh, well, there's nothing to tell. Like I said, Tom works for the Wheelers. We've known each other since I was a kid. We're just friends."
Deb wiped the imaginary drool off Lori's face. "All I can say is that I wish I had a friend like that!"
The afternoon at the bank was just as busy as the morning, with the in-rush of customers who were making sure that their hard-earned money was actually still in the bank after the computer glitch on Friday. Trixie fielded all the phone calls in a helpful, gracious manner but couldn't help but relay the crazy ones to Deb and Lori.
Trixie was still wiping the tears from her eyes from the last call. "Oh, guys, this is too much. Mr. Cravitz is convinced that the bank really doesn't have any money. He's sure that aliens have come down and sucked up all the money and the real workers and that we're just clones of the real employees. When I asked him why he thought that, he said because Mulder had told him so!"
Lori, Deb, and the two customers who were in the vicinity all roared with laughter.
"Ahem!"
Trixie turned to see Mr. Jackson standing behind her. Deb and Lori stared wide-eyed, both feeling as though they should duck behind the counter to avoid the sure-to-be flying objects.
"I think you'd better get back to work, girls. This is a bank, not a saloon, so please act with some dignity."
The customers quickly turned back to face the tellers, while Lori and Deb completed their transactions.
"Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Benson called about 15 minutes ago. She says that she must take her son to the doctor's office for a recheck in the morning. After that, she says she will be able to come back to work. She'll be here at 1:00."
"Excellent. Maybe she can restore some civility to this operation. Just make sure you just take personal belongings with you, Miss Belden. I'll have Mrs. Benson mail your final check to you."
Trixie watched in amazement as he spun on the heel of his high-gloss black wing tips and return to his office. She looked at Deb and Lori. "Thank you, Mr. Jackson. I've enjoyed working here, Mr. No Sense of Humor Jackson. What a stick in the mud. Talking as if I was going to steal the writing pad that's so old it's yellowed and curled on the edges!"
Her buddies were afraid to respond but their twitching mouths told Trixie they were ready to burst at any moment.
Bedecked in a Garfield nightshirt, Trixie dug through the refrigerator to find something easy to fix for dinner.
"Hmmm, let's see. orange Jell-O salad with rubbery marshmallows or some kind of casserole topped with raw penicillin?" Trixie opted for the Jell-O and was squishing it through her teeth when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Uh, Trixie, hi, it's Tom."
Trixie swallowed hard and without thinking pulled her nightshirt down to make sure her undies were covered. "Hi Tom. What's up?" My gosh, Trixie, this is just Tom. What's wrong with you?
"Oh, not too much." Way to go, Tom. Now you've really impressed her with your wit and conversational skills.
Trixie held a quick debate in her head and finally decided to take the plunge. "Tom, if you're not doing anything tomorrow night, well, would you like to come over for dinner and watch some movies?" Trixie's knees were so shaky she had to sit down.
"Oh, wow, Trixie. That's great! I'd like that! What time?" Tom responded with a bounce in his voice that gave Trixie a lift.
"Well, how about 6:30? That'll give me time to do a couple of errands in town and go by and pick up a couple of movies. Anything in particular you want to see?"
"If it's okay with you, one of my favorites is Top Gun and I'd love to see it again."
"Cool! I really like that one too. I'll get it and one other. I'm so glad you're coming!"
"Me, too, Trixie. Thanks for asking."
After they hung up, Trixie felt a combination of elation and confusion. She walked through the downstairs, turning off lights and ensuring that the doors were locked. She entered her room and picked up her old friend and confidant, Mrs. Moo Cow. Trixie sat on her bed, leaned back against the headboard, and held Mrs. Moo Cow on her lap.
"What am I doing? I feel like, well, what do I feel like? I've known Tom for years but I really don't know him at all, other than he likes cars and loves to hunt and fish. I had no idea about his birthday. I don't know anything about his family. I don't know if he prefers white or wheat bread or if he is actually a spy for the CIA. Say, wouldn't that be a kicker?"
Mrs. Moo Cow gave Trixie a sympathetic look.
"Besides that, he's just a nice guy. This may not be a big thing for him, but, gosh, it's a big thing for me. What's the deal here? I wish someone was here for me to talk to, but I'm not sure I could talk to anyone about this, not even Honey. What should I do?"
Trixie looked at Mrs. Moo Cow, whose hoof seemed to be pointing at the computer on Trixie's desk.
"Now that's an idea. Maybe a chat room for the confused. Maybe there's other psychos out there that can help me."
Trixie booted the PC and clicked on her Internet icon, hearing that familiar boing, boing as the connection was made. She stared at Yahoo's home page, summoned her resolve, and clicked on Chat. She chose ConfusedTB as a username and logged into the Questions on Love chat room.
SunnySusie: Hi, ConfusedTB. Why are you here?
ConfusedTB: I'm not understanding some feelings I'm having.
Lookin4Love: Did someone just dump you or something?
ConfusedTB: Oh, no. It's just that, well, I'm new here and not sure what to say.
SunnySusie: That's okay CTB. We're all cyberfriends here. Just take your time.
ConfusedTB: There's someone I've known as a friend and now find myself very attracted to him.
Lookin4Love: Does he feel the same way?
ConfusedTB: I don't know. He seems like he might be, but he's an awfully nice guy anyway. I don't know if he's interested in me or just being nice.
SunnySusie: Have you been out with him?
ConfusedTB: No, but he's coming over tomorrow night for dinner and movies.
SunnySusie: How do you feel about that?
ConfusedTB: I'm very excited! My heart's beating like crazy and my stomach is more fluttery than a field full of butterflies.
SunnySusie: So what's the problem?
ConfusedTB: A couple of things. One is that I don't want to make a fool of myself. How do I know what he's thinking?
Lookin4Love: Have you known him long?
ConfusedTB: LOL! Yeah, forever it seems. Since I was probably 11 or 12 years old. I guess that's another problem. I've known him a long time but really don't know a lot about him.
Lookin4Love: It sounds like tomorrow night will take care of that.
ConfusedTB: But how do I know if he's interested in me or just being nice?
SunnySusie: That is a tough one, CTB. I wished I could give you a sure indication but unfortunately there's no one answer. I guess the thing to do is just be yourself, don't push it, and see what happens. You know, he might be going through the same thing about you.
ConfusedTB: Yeah, I guess you're right. There's no crystal ball in real life.
SunnySusie: I sense there's another piece to this puzzle, CTB,
ConfusedTB: Very astute observation, SS. He was married but his wife died almost a year ago. I knew and liked her very much. She was a sweet person and they were a perfect couple.
Lookin4Love: Bummer.
SunnySusie: That does put a twist in it. But, I still think if you're just yourself, things will be made clearer as the evening progresses. Good luck, CTB, and let us know what happens.
ConfusedTB: Okay. I think you're exactly right. Thanks for advice.
SunnySusie: You bet.
Trixie logged off and shut down the PC, amazed at how someone she didn't even know had helped her sort out her feelings.
Trixie left the bank at noon feeling like she'd just been let out of high school for the summer. She, Deb and Lori promised to stay in touch and even Mr. Jackson said he would tell her father that she had done a nice job. She walked as though the sidewalk was padded with springy form rubber.
"Hi, Mr. Tomewicz! Is your wife's broken leg healing nicely?"
"Hello, Mrs. VanPatton." Trixie was very proud she didn't think the customary "you snobby old bag" after saying her name. "Is Bruce enjoying his summer vacation?"
Trixie wanted to get Tom something for his birthday and had been mentally agonizing over it all morning. What could she get that wasn't too personal yet something just for him? The simultaneous arrival at the bank of the used car dealer and the high school librarian gave her just the right answer--a book on Jaguars. She had called the bookstore and, hallelujah, that they just the right one--Jagged Edge, a history of the Jaguar XKE.
Trixie stepped into the dim coolness of the bookstore, a welcome relief from the 88 degree temperature outside. "Mr. Bateman?" Trixie called out when she didn't see anyone.
"Trixie Belden, is that you?"
Trixie looked toward where the voice had come and could see the white shock of hair, clear blue eyes peering over half-moon glasses, and the kindly smile of Mr. Bateman at the end of the stack of Children's Mysteries. "The book you called about is there on the counter with a ticket in it. Just leave your payment on the counter there or come back later to pay me if you want."
"Thanks so much, Mr. Bateman. I see it and it's perfect!" Trixie exclaimed as she saw that the dust jacket featured a dark green Jag that looked like the one that Tom was restoring. "I'll leave the money here on the counter. Have a nice day!"
Trixie saw that the book with tax totaled $22.86, but she was feeling so elated that she happily left $25 on the counter.
Trixie's next stop was the Movie Gallery. It wasn't hard to find Top Gun since it was an older movie and rarely checked out. She mulled over her next selection as she strolled through the store. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer…no, he might not have seen the first one and it's more geared to the teen set anyway. Halloween H20? Maybe he doesn't like horror flicks anyway. "This is more difficult that I thought," Trixie murmured to herself.
"Can I help you?" asked a girl whose nametag identified her as Kristy.
Trixie laughed. "Well, I'm not doing so well by myself, so I'll give you a shot at it. I've got a friend coming over for dinner and videos and I'm not sure what kind of movies he likes. He specifically asked for this one," she continued, holding up the box in her hand, "but I wanted to get something different for the second one. Right now I'm clueless--no pun intended!"
Kristy put her hand to her chin and looked at the ceiling in thought. She then snapped her fingers. "I know just the thing! Have you seen You've Got Mail?" When Trixie shook her head, Kristy went on. "It's very good. Has Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's a comedy but has some seriousness to it and it's a romance without being too smarmy."
Trixie's eyes brightened. "Yes, that sounds perfect."
Kristy retrieved the movie from the shelf and checked her out.
"Thanks for the help, Kristy! Wish me luck!" Trixie sang out as she left.
"Okay!" Kristy responded, not knowing why the bouncy blond needed luck but wished it for her anyway.
Trixie walked back to the bank to get her Jeep. She opened the back door and deposited her items in the backseat. She climbed into the driver's side and cranked the ignition, letting the Jeep's A/C cool down the interior before driving off. She leaned her head back and let a really nice dream sequence meander through her mind. Mmmmmm.
When she began to feel the cool air circulating around her, she put the SUV in reverse and backed out of its parking place. She pulled up to Main Street and looked to the left to check for oncoming traffic. To her surprise, she saw Tom coming out of the flower shop carrying a bouquet of brightly colored spring flowers. "What on earth are those for?" Trixie asked out loud. An inner voice whispered an answer, but Trixie didn't take it seriously. No, I don't think so.
Trixie's last stop was in the shopping center that had a grocery store, a pizza place, and Silver Spoons, a small restaurant and catering service that also sold wonderful pre-made salads, desserts, and heat-and-eat casseroles already in take-home pans and containers. Now she was really stumped. Man, how many tough decisions is this one night going to require? She really wanted to make something but her cooking didn't always bring about the intended results, but she didn't want Tom to think she had just sluffed off the evening.
"Okay, Mrs. Moo Cow, help me out here," she said, contacting her friend by ESP. "Aha! You're exactly right! I can get some lasagna and garlic bread from Silver Spoons and make Magic Cookie Bars for dessert. Those are easy and fool-proof and will show Tom I can at least put graham cracker crumbs, butter, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut, and chopped nuts together to come up with something pretty scrumptious."
Trixie arrived at Crabapple Farm at four-thirty, thinking that she'd never seen the grass so green or the rose garden looking more beautiful. She gathered her purchases and barely got through the back door before gray-muzzled Reddy knocked her down in glad greetings. She mentally planned out the next two hours and got busy making dessert.
After popping the pan into the oven, Trixie grabbed the dust rag and furniture polish and began spiffing up the den, whistling while she worked. She stopped in mid-swipe of the coffee table, realizing that she was actually enjoying herself. "Oh, horrors," she groaned. "I'm becoming domesticated!"
After that task was completed, she opened to closet to get the trusty Electrolux vacuum. She plugged it in and turned it on to hear the familiar hum. She vacuumed over the rug in the den and then in the dining room. She pulled out the chairs from the table and ran the nozzle up under the table. The vacuum cleaner then made a horrible high-pitched whine and a flit, flit, flit sound. "Eegads! Moms has been using this thing for thirty years and the second she leaves it, I manage to tear it up."
Trixie sat down and began to see if she could find, and hopefully fix, the problem. She didn't have to look far as she saw that a baseball card had been sucked up and curled itself around the beater roller. "Please don't let this be Bobby's prized Mark McGwire rookie card. Of course, it would serve him right. He never takes care of his things anyway." To her relief, she saw it was just a Mark Wohlers card. Trixie pulled off the errant card and finished up.
At five-thirty the bizzzzzzzzz of the oven timer told Trixie that her dessert was ready. Trixie pulled the pan out of the oven and replaced it with the pan containing the lasagna. She glanced at the clock. Just about right. This has got to cook for an hour and it's always better if it sits for five or ten minutes after it's done. Now, off to the shower or Tom will run if he gets a sniff of me like I am!
Trixie scowled as she rifled through her closet and dresser drawers for the ninetieth time, trying to figure out what to wear. Something casual but not grubby. Something that looks good, but not like I was trying to be glamorous and impress him. Something that would look good with the plum eyeshadow and mauve lipstick.
"Oh, what the heck! I think SunnySusie was right last night. Just be myself!" With that, she pulled on a white eyelet blouse and a pair of her nicer denim shorts and ran a wide-toothed comb through her hair. She skipped the make-up but did spritz on some raspberry body freshener and add just a touch of lip gloss.
The doorbell rang promptly at six-thirty just as Trixie finished placing the bubbling lasagna, the aromatic garlic bread, and a plate of Magic Cookie Bars on the table. She sprinted for the door and caught herself before she flung it open. Be cool but cordial, Belden. But it was difficult to be cool when she saw Tom standing there in his khaki Levi shorts, melon-colored Polo shirt, suede moccasins, and his gorgeous blue eyes shining over the top of the bouquet of flowers in his hand.
"Special delivery to Miss Trixie Belden!" he announced as he handed the bouquet to Trixie. She couldn't help but notice his hands were trembling slightly as she took the beautiful flowers.
"Tom, for me? Thank you! Come on in." Trixie admired the array of white daisies, pink carnations, lavender mums, yellow roses, and baby's breath. Her eyes lingered on the daisies and the game she had played in grade school ran through her mind. He loves me, he loves me not.
Tom sniffed the air. "Something's smelling mighty good in here." And both laughed as his stomach rumbled in agreement.
Dinner was a huge success and Trixie was especially delighted when he asked for a second helping of dessert. She barely remembered eating her dinner at all. She was so fascinated hearing Tom talk about growing up on a farm near White Plains; how no one could understand why he wasn't just absolutely wild about horses; that his birth came late in life to his parents, who had thought she could not conceive; how his dad had taught him how to shoot a gun when he was six and took him on his first deer hunt the following year. She listened with a heavy heart as he described the tractor accident that took his father's life when Tom was thirteen and how the stress of his death had caused his mother's stroke.
"After Mom had her stroke, she was pretty much incapable of taking care of herself, much less me. That's when I came to live in Sleepyside with my Aunt Caroline. At first I hated it here because everything was so different. Aunt Caroline tried but she had no idea about the needs of a boy of thirteen or what he'd liked to do. We visited Mom every other weekend and I remember sitting in the backseat, trying bravely to choke back my tears every time we left her."
Tom stopped, obviously unable to continue. Trixie froze, not knowing what to say or do, so she did the best thing; she just sat quietly.
After a moment, Tom cleared his throat and placed his hand over Trixie's. "But, I came to love the town, especially after I started school, made new friends, and met great folks like you and your brothers."
The warmth of his hand on hers radiated up Trixie's arm and throughout her body. It was her turn to be unable to speak coherently. "Well, uh, I'm, uh, we're all glad that things worked out for you here."
Tom self-conscientiously removed his hand and reached for the napkin in his lap to wipe his mouth of some unseen crumb. "Me too. Mom gets along pretty well physically, but mentally she has her good moments and bad ones. I call her every Sunday and go to see her about once a month. Sometimes she knows who I am, sometimes it seems as if she's struggling to remember me, but mostly she hasn't a clue. She's doing extremely well at this moment since she remembered my birthday."
With that, Trixie sat up straight. "Oh! Speaking of which," she said as she reached for the package wrapped in silver paper and adorned with blue satin ribbon that was in the chair next to hers. "Happy Birthday!" she said, handing him the package.
The emotions of telling Trixie about his life spilled over to the moment, and Tom was deeply moved by her thoughtfulness. "Trixie, you didn't have to do this," he said with a distinct catch in his voice.
Trixie smiled. "But I wanted to. I hope you like it." She watched him nervously, praying that he would like the book. Oh, jeez, what if he hates books and then tries to act like he likes it. I'll just die. But the expression on Tom's face made Trixie know that her life would continue.
"Trixie! Wow! How did you know I've been dying to have this book? I've seen it mentioned in several magazine articles! This is really the nicest gift! Thanks!"
Trixie breathed out a great sigh of relief. "You're quite welcome. I'm so glad you like it."
Together they carried the dishes into the kitchen. Trixie couldn't believe how much fun it was to do the dishes and put the leftovers away. She practically glided on air to the den as they prepared to watch the videos. Tom sat on the loveseat in front of the television.
Uh, oh. Another major decision. The loveseat is the best place to see the screen but I don't want to seem too pushy. I could sit in the chair but that would look like I didn't want to be near him and right now that's all I want--just to be near him. Okay, what was the motto for tonight--be yourself. With that Trixie plopped down on the other cushion of the love seat, picked up the remote, and pressed Play.
Both were engrossed by the movie. They found themselves sitting on the edge of the loveseat during the flight scenes and quite subdued during the love scene played out to Take My Breath Away. At one point after the dogfights, Tom noticed that Trixie's shoulders were moving slightly. He was stunned to see tears rolling down her face. "Trixie, what's wrong?" he asked with deep concern in his voice.
Trixie pulled a Kleenex from the ever-present box on the end table, wiped her eyes, and blew her nose lightly. "Sorry. No matter how many times I watch this movie, I always cry when Goose dies."
"Poor Trix," Tom said and put his left arm around her shoulder and right arm across the front of her waist, pulling her close, as natural as could be.
Oh, oh! Trixie's heart was leaping about so hard that she honestly thought it was going to pop out of her chest. And just as natural as could be, she tilted her head until it rested on Tom's shoulder. Is this what it's truly like to be in love? When just to breathe the same air as he does brings about such contentment? That your favorite place in the whole world is where he is, no matter if that place is in France or in your own den? How can I have known him as a friend for all these years and in a matter of just three days feel this way? I know Moms and Dad always said that it was love at first sight for them, but I never really thought that was possible. Maybe it is.
Tom looked at the television screen but never saw the rest of the movie. His thoughts were on this crazy but extraordinarily wonderful woman he held in his arms. I loved Celia, and I probably always will deep in my heart, but I don't remember ever feeling like a giddy teenager like I do now. Celia was comfortable. This is off the Richter scale. I want to kiss Trixie so badly but I don't want to break the moment. Maybe she just thinks I'm comforting her as a friend or worse, like a brother. I think she likes me and is feeling like I am, but how do I know for sure? Do I like Trixie? No, man, that's not what you're feeling. Admit it, Delanoy, you've fallen in love, head over heels, no doubt about it, you wanna' just get on the rooftop and shout it out.
The whir of the tape rewinding snapped both from their quiet reverie. Trixie smiled shyly at Tom. "That was so good! I love that movie. It's one of my all-time favorites, and I'm glad it's one of yours too."
Tom returned her smile and lightly touched the end of her nose with his finger. "You know, I'm beginning to think we're going to find a lot that we have in common. This is the ultimate test though--plain or buttered popcorn?"
"Plain with just lots of salt!" Trixie laughed.
"You win the grand prize! Me too!"
After returning from the kitchen with a huge bowl of plain, salted popcorn, two glasses of Pepsi, the rest of the two-liter bottle, and a wad of napkins, Trixie and Tom took their places back on the loveseat to watch the next movie. Tom sat down first, putting the bottle on the floor beside him and sitting the bowl and napkins in his lap. Trixie then sat down with the two glasses and sat close to him with her legs pulled up so that her knees rested on the top of his left thigh.
As Kristy had promised, the movie was just perfect. Both laughed loudly as the characters played by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan tried to act nonchalant around their respective live-ins and then go on-line as soon as the coast was clear. About halfway through, Tom held the bowl toward Trixie. "More?"
"No, thanks. I'm about the explode now."
They placed the bowl and their glasses on the coffee table. Tom put his arm back around Trixie and she snuggled close, placing her arm on his chest and resting her hand at the opening of his shirt. Trixie found herself running her fingers around the patch of black hair that peeked out.
That should be Tom Delanoy playing that part, not Tom Hanks. My Tom is so much more handsome. Listen to me. "My" Tom. I wish he were.
At the movie's end, as the two characters finally found each other and shared a passionate kiss in the park, Trixie lifted her head to see that Tom was looking down at her.
"At the start of the movie, I was thinking that you looked like Meg Ryan. But you know what, I was wrong. You are so much prettier than she is. Even more important, so much more real. I mean, she's got on globs of makeup, professionally done hair, but you, just even in your natural, at home look, you are just so much more beautiful."
Trixie was taken aback at his tender words. "I was thinking the same about you. Oh, not that you looked like Meg Ryan, "she giggled nervously. "But that how much more handsome you are than Tom Hanks, and that you would look so much better on the screen. Not better than here but better than Tom Hanks. You look fine here. You look extre…"
Trixie couldn't finish her rambling words as she saw Tom's eyes smiling at her and his face coming closer.
He's going to kiss me!! Oh, please, I'm begging the patron saint of the mixed up and confused, don't let this be like the last romantic kiss I tried.
Tom gathered Trixie close and pressed his warm, soft lips gently but firmly against hers. He moved them in a slow nibbling motion on her lips and continued across her cheek until his face was buried in her hair. He continued to silently hold her close, just basking in the glow of the moment. His kisses sent shivers to places where Trixie didn't even realize she had places until now. She held on to him, never wanting to be any further away from him that she was now.
Tom stroked her hair and slowly released his grip on her. He pulled back just a step and looked in those exquisite blue eyes. "I think I'd better go. You'll never know what this evening has meant to me, how much I enjoyed it, and how very much I appreciate my birthday gift."
Trixie brushed back a wayward lock of Tom's hair that had fallen onto his forehead. "I, I," she stammered, feelings and emotions trying to kick their way out of her head. "I love, I, uh, I loved having you."
"Do you have any plans for tomorrow after work?"
"No, as a matter of fact, as of noon today, I joined the ranks of the unemployed. Mrs. Benson came back to work this afternoon."
Tom's whole face lit up. "Great! I mean, it's not great that you don't have a job, but great that you don't have to go!'
Both fell into gales of laughter.
"Oh, Tom, how funny. You're starting to talk like me!"
"I know! You know what they say about couples who've been together for a long time starting to look alike. In ten years you'll have black hair and mine will be as curly as yours. We've already got the matching blue eyes!"
Yes! He's thinking long-term, I hope! Please don't let me just be kidding me!
"Anyway," Tom continued, "if you don’t' have any other plans, I've got something special I'd really like to show you tomorrow."
"No, I have no other plans, and I'd love to see your surprise," Trixie said enthusiastically.
"Good deal! But it might be around noon before I call you. Okay?"
Trixie couldn't stop smiling. "Sure, that'll be fine." Of course, at that moment, he could have said, "Crawl out on the highest limb of the tallest crabapple tree and sing the national anthem," and she would have responded the same way.
It was a very different Trixie that went to bed that night than the one who was lovelorn and confused the night before.
"Glorious day, isn't it, Mrs. Moo Cow?" Trixie said to her friend as she threw back the covers and practically floated out of bed. "Do you have any special plans for the day? Well, I do, but later on. What are they? Well, specifically, I'm not sure but they do involve a gorgeous man with incredible blue eyes and black wavy hair." Trixie saw that the glowing numbers on her digital clock pronounce that it was 8:00. "I'm just not sure what I'll do to kill the next four hours."
Trixie was sure that a higher authority was playing some horrible trick on her. After having breakfast, feeding and playing with Reddy, taking a leisurely bath, ironing her yellow seersucker romper suit to wear for her afternoon date, washing and drying a load of towels, and trimming her nails, she saw, to her dismay, that it was only 11:15.
Unsure of what to do to kill the next forty-five minutes, Trixie went on line to see if by chance SunnySusie was in the chat room. At least now, my "Questions on Love" are positive ones. Trixie logged in and scanned the list of participants in the chat room. Yes, there she was.
ConfusedTB: SunnySusie, hi, it's me from last night.
SunnySusie: Hey, CTB! How did it go?
Confused TB: Let's just say that I'm going to have to change my login name. I'm not confused anymore.
SunnySusie: I hope that means that things worked out well.
ConfusedTB: More than well. I just wanted to let you know that I took your advice about being myself. It was the best thing anyone could have said to me.
SunnySusie: I'm glad I could help, although at the time I felt like I wasn't giving you much to go on.
ConfusedTB: Trust me, it was perfect. I really feel that I'm on the brink of a major change in my life. An opportunity to find real love and happiness.
SunnySusie: I'm SOOO glad! Be sure and invite me to the wedding!
ConfusedTB: You got it! See you!
Trixie logged out. Thirty more minutes to go. She went downstairs, paced, tried to read the latest Janet Evanovich book, looked at the clock, paced, straightened the pillows on the sofa, paced, looked at the clock. At five minutes before noon the phone rang. Trixie snatched it up. "Hello?"
An unfamiliar voice greeted her. "Hello, madam, are you the person in your household who makes the decisions regarding your long-distance service?"
"NO!" Trixie shrieked into the phone and slammed it down.
More pacing, more clock watching. It was 12:15 and Trixie began to have serious doubts. He probably got home last night and regretted the whole thing. Well, he did say around noon. He probably is avoiding me now. How can I explain to Honey why I can't ever go back to her house again? Am I too old to be accepted into a convent?
BRRRRRRRIIIINNNGGGG!
"Hello?"
"Hey, girl!"
Trixie's face went totally luminescent. "Tom, hi!"
"Sorry I'm calling a bit later than I said I would. My project took longer to finish than I expected. I'm about to hop into the shower. Wait about 30 minutes and meet me in front of the Wheelers' garage. Okay?"
"Sure! That's fine. I'll see you then." Trixie's spirits soared as she dashed upstairs to slip into a white scoop-neck t-shirt and the romper suit. A pair of yellow socks, white Keds, a quick spray of the body freshener and she was set to go. Twenty more minutes.
More pacing, more clock watching.
"Time's up, finally! I'm outta' here, Mrs. Moo Cow. Watch the house and I'll tell you all about it when I get back."
Trixie trotted downstairs, picked up her purse from the kitchen counter, and left the house. She willed herself to walk, rather than gallop, up the hill to the Manor House. And what a reward she got for her efforts. Leaning up against the corner of the garage, arms folded across his chest, was Tom, looking awesome in a navy blue t-shirt and white shorts.
Tom reached out his arms to the golden beauty who was coming toward him. They embraced and shared a warm kiss. "You look pretty in yellow. Oh heck, you look pretty in anything!'
Trixie blushed. "Thank you, kind sir. You're looking very well yourself."
"Okay, now you must close your eyes and let me lead you around to the back. Ready?"
Trixie locked arms with Tom and dutifully closed her eyes. "Ready!"
Tom led her around the building, guiding her around anything she might have stumbled on. He got her situated to his liking. "All right, you can open your eyes."
Trixie opened her eyes to see the magnificent, gleaming forest green convertible Jag standing proudly before her.
"Tom!' she squealed loudly. "It's finished! That's the most beautiful car I've ever seen!" She leaped up and threw her arms around him. "I'm so excited for you. What an impressive job you did!"
Tom drew her close and kissed her. "I'm really pleased you like it. Ready for a ride?"
From inside his office in the stable, Regan heard the shriek of a female voice. He was having difficulty with his feed supplier and any sound of pleasure was irritating at the moment. He pushed his chair back and stormed to the window, ready to yell at the goofy female that was making the noise. But his frown turned to a grin when he realized it was Trixie. And his grin turned into a very wide smile as he saw Tom kiss Trixie. "Well, I'll be darned. Looks like ole' Tom won the grand prize!"
Tom held the door open for Trixie and closed it securely when she was in. He practically leaped into the driver's seat. The Jag's engine purred as Tom stepped on the gas. They had no particular destination, just taking them whichever the road turned or the wind blew. They were surprised when they found themselves on the outskirts of White Plains.
Tom slowed down and stopped at a red light. Trixie reached up and tried to straighten out her tangled curls.
Tom turned to her and asked, "While we're here, would you like to meet Mom?"
"Oh, Tom, I'd love to meet her."
"Now mind you, she may be okay but I'm willing to bet she won't know me."
They pulled into the Meadow Springs Nursing Facility and walked in. Tom spoke greetings to the attendants and took Trixie to Room 107. Trixie saw a frail, white-haired, pink-cheeked lady sitting in a chair by the window, thumbing through a gardening magazine.
"Hello, Mom, how are you?" Tom asked, giving his mother a hug and kiss on the cheek.
Mrs. Delanoy glanced up from her magazine and looked at Tom quizzically. "Well, aren't you a handsome young man and what a pretty young lady with you," nodding her head toward Trixie, "but I'm afraid you've got the wrong room. I'm don't believe we've ever met."
"We're sorry. You have a nice day."
Tom patted his mother on the shoulder as she returned to her magazine and then took Trixie by the hand. When they were back outside Tom apologized.
"Why you have nothing to be sorry for, Tom," Trixie quickly assured him. "I'm glad we came."
They climbed back into the Jag and drove until Trixie spotted a group of boys playing baseball in a park. "Let's stop and watch!"
Trixie and Tom ran hand-in-hand to where the boys, who looked to be about nine and ten years old, were playing. "Hey," Tom called out, "can you use two more players?"
Play stopped and the boys gathered around Tom. The one who had been on the pitcher's mound spoke for the group. "Well, you can play but we don't usually let girls play. They just usually mess us up."
"You'd better think again about this one. She was the ace pitcher for the softball team when Sleepyside High won the state championship!"
"Well in that case, we want her on our team!" cried out one of the boys.
"No, on ours. You've already got Jimmy on your team!"
Trixie laughed at the boys. "Well, I'm certainly flattered to have all of you guys fighting over me, but I'll just sit this one out. You go ahead, Tom."
For the next thirty minutes, Trixie watched as Tom played pitcher for both team for a couple of innings and then batted for both teams. He was having an absolute ball and Trixie cheered as though it was the seventh game of the World Series. Tom glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost four o'clock and there was still something important he wanted to do before dark.
"Okay, guys, that's about it for me."
Cries of "no, don't go," "we're having so much fun," and "please play one more inning" came up from all the players.
Tom grinned. "I've had a great time too. Next time I'm here I'll stop by and see if you're here." He scruffed the hair of several of them and high-fived others as he left the field.
Trixie climbed down from her perch on the bleachers and met him, eyeing the streaks of red dirt streaks on his white shorts. "Looks like you're destined for a date with the bleach bottle tonight, Mr. Delanoy."
Tom looked ruefully at his shorts. "Hmmm, I think you're right, Miss Belden. Got any suggestions on where one might take a bleach bottle for a fun date?"
"Ha! Good one!"
Tom put his arm around Trixie's shoulder and kissed her on the top of her head. Trixie wrapped her arm around his waist as they walked back to the car.
They rode in happy, contented silence back toward Sleepyside, with Tom holding her hand, not even letting go when he shifted gears. Trixie was surprised when he slowed down and pulled off the road at the back corner of Greenwood Cemetery.
He turned to her with a serious look o his face. "Trixie, there's something I want to say to you, but I've got to talk with someone first. I hope you understand."
Trixie was totally confused. She didn't know what he wanted to say or to whom he wanted to talk and really didn't know what to say. His serious look told Trixie that she should trust him. "Sure, Tom. No problem."
Tom smiled and then pulled back on the road, drove the short distance to the entrance of the cemetery and drove in. They drove around the winding road, turning right at the first road, and left at the next, stopping at a row of gravestones near the pond.
Tom squeezed her hand and gave a small grin. "I'll be right back, sweetheart. Don't you go anywhere."
With that he got out of the car and Trixie realized with a lump in her throat to whom he wanted to speak. She watched as Tom walked to Celia's grave and run his hand over the top of her headstone. Tears began to flow down her face as she saw Tom kneel and drop his head to his chest.
Tom walked toward Celia's grave, feeling like he had left his heart in the car and at the same time feeling guilty for bringing her here. He ran his hand over the top of Celia's headstone the same way he had stroked her hair just before she died. He dropped to his knees, closed his eyes and dropped his head.
This is harder than I thought it would be.
He looked up and squinted at the sun. He looked back at the headstone and took a deep breath. "Hi, Cilly. I still miss you and still love you. That stab of pain I feel every morning when I wake up and realize you're gone is still there, but it's getting easier. I know that you wouldn't want me to grieve. I'm not sure how you'll feel about this, but I'm seeing someone and I wanted to get your approval before I went any further with the relationship. You're not going to believe this, Cilly, but it's Trixie. Can you see here sitting out there in the car? She's grown up to be quite a woman. Of course, we always knew she was special when she gave us the Robin as a gift. I've spent some time with her recently and I would like to go on seeing her. That is, if it's okay with you."
A flash of light blinded Tom. He threw up his hand to shield his eyes. He blinked until his vision returned. A glint of gold caught his eye. What's that? Tom reached for the object and couldn't believe his eyes when he saw what it was. Tom broke into a wide smile and clutched the object to his heart. He looked up to the heavens. "Thanks, Cilly. I knew you'd understand."
Trixie saw Tom jerk his hand up to his head and thought something was wrong. She was about to run to him when she saw him reach to pick something off of the base of the headstone. He must be okay. It looks like he's smiling.
Tom almost ran back toward the car. He opened Trixie's door and pulled her out. The next thing Trixie knew, Tom had picked her up and was swinging her around. He put her down and looked into her eyes and kissed her with a passion Trixie never knew existed. She responded to his kiss although she felt rather weird, considering where they were.
Tom's eyes were shining and his smile was so bright. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold heart necklace and fastened it around her neck.
Trixie looked down and stroked the heart. "Tom, it's beautiful. What's this for?"
Tom put his arms around her and momentarily got lost in the azure sea of her eyes. "Trixie, I'm going to say what's in my heart, all at the risk of making a total fool of myself. Please, just let me finish before you say anything.
"I've had such fun and such warmth these past few days. I've known you as a friend for so long but now I've come to know you as a woman. As an extraordinarily beautiful, wonderful, caring, fun-loving, thoughtful woman. I don't know a lot, but I do know that when I'm with you, I never want to leave. I want to see you when I wake in the morning. I want to kiss you while you sleep next to me at night. I want to share everything with you, my thoughts, my dreams, and heck, even my toast in the morning. I want to grow old with you, to sit on the porch and watch the sun go down.
"I don't know what else to say or how to put it, except to say that I love you, Trixie. I really want the chance to spend time with you, to show you that I'll take care of you, to show you that I'll cherish you and make you feel like the special person that you are. I want to help you realize your dreams. It doesn't matter to me what you want out of life as long as you can find it in your heart to let me experience it with you. I can't promise that every second will be perfect but I can promise that I will make every effort to make it that way. So what do you say?"
Tom held his breath, relieved that he had gotten it out, but still so afraid that she would turn him down. Tom felt a knot developing in his stomach as Trixie just looked at him without responding.
Suddenly Trixie let out a war-whoop and threw herself into his arms. "I say I love you, too! I'm so happy it's unbelievable! Watch out, world, 'TNT' is coming at you!"
Trixie and Tom got back in the car and returned to the highway that would lead them to Sleepyside, back to their new life together.
Points of silver glistened on her cheeks.
Celia, you know crying isn't allowed here.
These aren't tears of sadness, sir. They're tears of joy. I'm so happy for Tom and Trixie. I couldn't have chosen any better.
The End