Group Writing Project #3
Disclaimer: I do not have any claim on these characters. They are not the figment of my imagination. I am not profiting from this story in any way. I am simply writing this story to write about the imaginary people that I love. And Steven, I'm sorry that I used your words. You are brilliant.
Author's note: I'm sorry that it's so long. I know I exceeded 2000 wds. And for the Dan fans out there, I am SO extremely sorry. I have nothing against him, but this is just the way my story turned out!!
Don't Wanna Close My Eyes
by Julianne
"Will you pass the mashed potatoes, Mart?" Diana Lynch asked with flashing eyes.
Mart passed Di the bowl and gazed at her as she lazily spooned the potatoes onto her plate.
Oh boy, she can excite Mart with a simple bowl of mashed potatoes! thought Trixie as a feeling of nausea came over her. I wish I had that effect on guys.
"Gee," Dan said, pulling Mart out of his trance. "This sure is a great supper! Thanks for inviting us, Mr. Wheeler!"
"It's my pleasure! You kids are always welcome here," Mr. Wheeler replied.
Celia, the pretty maid, came out of the kitchen to take away the supper plates.
Trixie noticed that Jim had been unusually quiet throughout dinner.
"Say, Jim, I could sure use some help in algebra. How 'bout it? My two clunks of brothers speak in some foreign language when I try to get their help."
"Sure, Trix," Jim said, barely looking up from the table.
Celia came back in the dining room with sundaes loaded up with chocolate fudge, nuts, and whipped cream.
"None for us thanks," Mrs. Wheeler said. "Mr. Wheeler and I are dieting. We'll just take our coffee up to the library and leave you kids alone."
"Thanks for dinner," they all said as the Wheelers walked out of the room.
"Yummy!" Honey said as she dove into the vanilla ice cream, "Hey, did I tell you guys that my cousin Ben is coming in tomorrow for my birthday on Saturday?"
"Oh woe, him?!?" Trixie moaned.
"Oh, Trix, don't be such a sourpuss. He's really sweet," Di said as Mart's face turned pink with jealousy, "even though he is extremely immature."
Mart's face drained of its jealousy as he cleared his throat and tried to say something intelligent. But it sounded like, "Urg a bo bo shoo."
"What was that Mart?" Trixie said, refraining from laughing.
Mart's face once again flushed, this time from embarrassment. "I meant to say that even though Ben is as old as me, he acts like he's Bobby's age."
"You should be talking, Mart," Trixie said under her breath.
He shot her a look.
"I'm so glad that you boys could come in from college for the long weekend even though we girls have school tomorrow. It's a shame Brian couldn't get away from med. school though," Honey said.
After finishing their dessert, Mart announced, "We Beldens better head home; it's getting late. Bobby's going to be whining for Trix to put him to bed!"
"Yeah, I'd better go, too," Diana said, rising from her chair.
"Me too," Dan said. "I'm sure Mr. Maypenny will want to catch up on things now that I'm back for the weekend."
The Bob-Whites said their good-byes and goodnights and departed for home.
The next morning Trixie rose with the rooster to feed the chickens and collect eggs.
After showering, Trixie got ready as usual and didn't bother to wear any make-up. She grabbed Jim's ID bracelet that he had given her in Iowa. She thought back to the day on the plane that he had given it to her. It means that you're my special girl, Trixie. As if you didn't know that already, Jim had said to her. That's the last she'd heard about being "Jim's girl," even though the rest of the Bob-Whites teased plenty about the bracelet.
Snapping out of her daze, she went to help Bobby out of bed and into clean clothes. She sighed as she thought, You'd better be glad that Honey does all the mending, Trix, or else you'd be stuck with it.
On the way down to breakfast, Trixie breathed in the refreshing smell of bacon and eggs.
"You'd better hurry, Trix," Mrs. Belden warned, "Honey's halfway down the hill in the station wagon."
"Gleeps!" Trixie said as she stuffed her breakfast in her mouth and ran upstairs to brush her teeth.
"Bye, Moms!" She cried as she ran out the door.
"Bye, Trixie, have a good--" the door slammed shut, "--day!"
"I'm so glad it's Friday!" Honey said to Trixie when they were walking to the clubhouse after school.
"Yeah, but that means dumb old Ben will be here," Trixie said. "I'm sure he still thinks I have some huge infatuation on him, doesn't he?"
"Of course not, Trix! Come on, that was three years ago! He's older now."
"Okay, whatever."
They reached the clubhouse and found Jim, Dan, Mart, Ben, and Di already there.
"Hi, Ben!" Trixie said, partly through her teeth, seeing Ben sitting between Mart and Diana.
"Hey, Trixie! How's the sleuthing going?" Ben asked, standing up politely to acknowledge Trixie and Honey's presence.
Trixie gave him an amused look, then turned to business.
"Let's not have an official meeting. Let's just discuss what we're going to do for Honey's birthday tomorrow," Trixie suggested.
No one objected.
"I go for a party at our place. But no extra people, just us… And Ben, of course," Jim said, looking over at the unusually quiet visitor.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Honey said. "Nothing formal. How about at five? We'll have food and stuff and maybe dancing."
"Great," Jim said. "Now, any more business?"
"Nope," said Honey, checking the minutes from the previous meetings.
"So, Mart, how's the agriculture school coming?" Di asked.
Mart explained his latest project in the gardens, and Di listened carefully, trying to understand his plant lingo.
"I am studying law," Ben interrupted, calling Di's attention upon himself. "I want to be New York's greatest criminal lawyer ever! I just finished an internship with the prosecutor in the famous Gerald S. Peterson murder case."
It was like Ben was trying to win over Di's admiration, and he was succeeding. Trixie could see steam bursting out of Mart's head. He was ready to explode.
"Wow! That sure is impressive, isn't it, Mart?" Diana said sweetly.
"Hey, we were supposed to have been home ten minutes ago!" Honey said tactfully, knowing that Ben's bragging should stop.
"Yeah, I guess we should all head home," Trixie said, following Honey's lead.
"I'll walk you home, Diana," Ben offered before Mart could even open his mouth.
"Why, thank you, Ben. That is very sweet of you!"
Mart stomped out of the clubhouse without saying any good-byes. Trixie ran after him as she hastily told Honey she'd call her later.
Trixie caught up with Mart halfway to Crabapple Farm. He wouldn't speak to her, and kept on walking.
"Look, Trix, I'm really not up to talking at the moment. Ben just has to ruin everything!" Mart yelled and ran ahead.
"Hey, Trixie! Could you bring in the mail?" Her mother asked as she came in the house. "What's wrong with Mart?"
Trixie shrugged and ran out to get the mail.
Trixie hopped to the end of the driveway to the mailbox. As she reached in the box to pull out various bills and junk mail, she became aware of a small package hidden in the back of the mailbox. Laying the mail on the ground, she took the package out and unwrapped it to find a Butterfinger, her favorite candy bar. There was a note taped to the top of the candy bar. Trixie carefully tore off the note and immediately recognized Jim's handwriting.
" 'This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, may prove a beauteous flower when we next meet' - William Shakespeare. Meet me at the clubhouse at twilight. Love Jim"
Trixie's heart beat with excitement. She rushed inside and upstairs to her room to hide the note.
She found her seat at the supper table and ate quietly, hoping that her family wouldn't notice that she was acting weird. She watched the window, waiting for the first star to appear. This is finally happening! Jim and I are finally going to get together! I want to tell the world!
Trixie ate quickly. "Daddy, may I be excused? I want to get a head start on my homework this weekend."
Mr. Belden looked at Trixie suspiciously, "Okay."
Trixie rushed upstairs and into her parents' room. She took some lipstick and other makeup off her mother's vanity. Sneaking the goods in her room, Trixie was appalled at herself for her sudden girlishness! Sitting down at her own vanity, Trixie carefully applied mascara, blush, and lipstick. She brushed her hair as best as she could, and put on a clean blue skirt and white starched shirt. Looking in the mirror, she approved her appearance as best as she could. She knew that she had improved from the old shaggy sweater and torn jeans.
"Moms!" Trixie called as she ran down the stairs. "I forgot my biology book down at the clubhouse. Can I go get it?"
"Yeah, hurry back," Mrs. Belden said as she stared at the amazingly made over Trixie.
Trixie walked slowly to the clubhouse so she wouldn't mess up her hair. The clubhouse was merely an old fixed up gatehouse on the Wheelers' property. As the clubhouse came into view, Trixie saw a very dim light in the window. She held her breath as she stepped on the doorstep. The door opened. Jim appeared with roses in his hand and a smile on his face.
"Come in, beautiful," he said.
Trixie stepped into the Bob-White clubhouse to find the table set for two. A candle sat in the middle, shining the only light in the room. Two slices of cake were placed across from each other. A silver wrapped box was beside one of the plates. Jim had put place cards by both plates.
"Oh Jim. This is wonderful!" Trixie breathed.
"Sit down, Trix. I need to talk to you."
They sat across from one another and Jim took Trixie's hands in his.
"When I first saw you standing over me in my uncle's living room, I knew that my life would never be the same. I don't want to ever lose you, Trix. That's why I brought you here. You'll be leaving for college this fall, and I'm afraid that I won't see you."
"Jim, I never knew that you felt this way. The others have always joked about us, but I never thought that it could possibly be true. Why don't you go for a girl that deserves you? You deserve a spectacular girl with money and talent and grace; not me."
"Trix, you are the only girl for me, I know it! You are beautiful and spunky. You don't need money to capture my heart. I love every poor little thing about you. Can't you see that it's true? Your passion for life makes me love you even more." Jim picked up the silver box. "Trixie, I want you to promise that you will always be my girl."
He handed her the box. Trixie opened it to see a simple silver ring with no fancy designs or flashy diamonds. She looked closely to see that inscribed inside was "J.F. & T.B." Tears filled her eyes.
"I don't know what to say. Except, that I'll always be yours."
Jim stood from his chair and walked over to Trixie. He held out his hand, and she took it. She fell into his arms, and he kissed the top of her head. Trixie lifted her chin to meet Jim's lips. It was such a gentle kiss; no passionate gasping, just the first kiss of true love.
Mrs. Belden was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee when Trixie floated into the house later that night.
"Did you find your book?" she asked.
"What book?" Trixie replied, dumbfounded. "Oh yeah, My biology book! No, I must have left it at school or something."
"Well, then, what took you so long? I had to put Bobby to bed. He was crying for you."
"Umm, I saw Jim and we talked for a while."
"Oh, my goodness! Did he give you that ring?" Mrs. Belden exclaimed, noticing the silver band on Trixie's finger.
Trixie nodded her head and felt her face flush.
"Oh, I'm so glad! Jim is such a nice boy!"
"Moms! Stop! Don't you dare tell Mart. I'll never live it down!" she pleaded.
"All right, but I'm going to tell your father that you got your first promise ring! Oh, this is so exciting!"
Trixie's mind raced as she tried to think something to say to change the subject.
"Oh Moms, I need to drive into town to do some shopping tomorrow. Can I take the car?"
"Sure, Trix!"
"Well, it's getting late," Trixie said as she ran upstairs to get ready for bed.
The next morning, Mart bounded into Trixie's room and jumped on top of her. Trixie moaned as she pushed him off the bed.
"What do ya want?" she groaned.
"Moms says that if you want the car, you have to do your chores first. And when you're done, I need to go with you to do some stuff."
"Yeah, sure." Trixie pulled the pillow over her head. "Go away!"
"You'd better get hopping cause the party is at five."
Trixie rolled off the bed. "Well, make yourself scarce so I can get my chores done."
Once she woke herself up with a tall glass of orange juice, Trixie wandered around the house in her pajamas with the dust cloth in her hand and kicked Bobby's small army men and trucks out of the way. She absentmindedly dusted the furniture while swooning over the previous night. Once she finished dusting, Trixie pulled the temperamental vacuum cleaner out of the utility closet. She plugged it in and turned the "on" switch. Only a pathetic gurgle came from the old vacuum.
"Blast it!" Trixie said through her teeth, then yelled upstairs, "Moms! The vacuum is busted again!"
Mrs. Belden came downstairs and sighed as she saw Trixie standing helplessly next to the lifeless vacuum.
"Oh bother," she said. "Well Trix, this cuts your chores short. You can go downtown, but please take the vacuum to be fixed at Crimper's."
Trixie nodded, glad to have gotten out of vacuuming. Mrs. Belden got the keys to the station wagon from her purse and handed them over to Trixie.
"Drive safe!"
"I will, Moms!" Trixie yelled as she ran outside to find Mart.
"Mart, let's go!" She called as she hopped into the driver's seat of her mom's car.
Mart scrambled in as Trixie started the car.
"Whoa!" Mart said as Trixie backed out of the driveway, "Now, may I inquire if our debonair comrade James Winthrop Frayne II placed that sterling ring upon your finger?"
Trixie blushed, "Yes. As a matter of fact, he did, smarty pants."
"Hey, don't get all defensive. I was just asking! Actually, another reason I asked to come with you was so you could possibly help me pick out some kind of token of affection for me to present to Di."
Trixie practically lost control of the car. "Really? I'm so glad! Di has always liked you!"
"She has?" Mart asked as they pulled into Crimper's department store in downtown Sleepyside.
Mart helped Trixie unload the vacuum and take it into the appliance department.
"Mart, why don't you go look at the jewelry? I'll be with you in a few minutes."
Trixie sneaked over to the juniors clothing department.
The saleswoman asked Trixie her size and style preference.
"Eight, and something that will make my waist look smaller, please," Trixie said.
The woman brought back five dresses.
Trixie tried on the first one. It was red and black polka-dotted. Good Lord, this makes me look five years old!
The next three had a similar effect. The last one was a soft floral print on a pale blue background. The straps were thin and spaghetti-like. Trixie slipped on the dress and zipped it as far as she could. Twirling in front of the mirror, Trixie couldn't believe how attractive she appeared. She glanced at the price tag to be sure that the dress was affordable. Trixie bought the dress without even giving it a second thought.
After paying, Trixie set off to the jewelry department to find Mart.
"Any luck, Mart?" she asked when she found him leaning over the jewelry counter.
"Yeah, I think so. What do you think of this one?" He held out an elegant silver ring with a simple three band design.
"Oh Mart, it's perfect! Di will absolutely die when you give it to her!"
Mart purchased the ring, and the two of them set off to find something to eat.
Arriving home, Trixie rushed up to her room to get ready for the party. Taking the spaghetti strap dress out of the bag, Trixie gasped when she realized that she'd have to wear a strapless bra with it.
Gleeps, Moms had better have one of those things. She thought as she ran into her parents' room. Going through her mom's drawer of plain underclothes, Trixie found her mother's one and only strapless bra.
As she figured her way into the bra, Trixie laughed to herself at her desperation to look good.
Trixie put the finishing touches on her makeup an hour later and saw in the mirror a drastically changed girl. She wasn't the girl that had climbed into hidden tunnels to find a cursed emerald necklace, or the girl that hid in trailers to catch vehement criminals. That girl had dissolved into the dazzling young woman that stood before Trixie in the mirror. Her eyes were brought out with the help of smoky black mascara and a soft mauve brought out the brilliant blue in her eyes. Sparkly peach blush highlighted her cheekbones, and an ever so light pink shimmered on Trixie's lips. Her hair was pulled back with tiny flower clips that tamed her naturally wild curls considerably.
Trixie stood in the full length mirror to survey her hard work. Everything looked great from the dress up. Then there were her legs, scratched and bruised from chasing Reddy home out of the woods. Trixie frantically grabbed some panty hose and wriggled her way into them. She rushed downstairs to find her scuffed sandals awaiting her.
These will have to do, she thought as she found Mart in the kitchen.
"Hello, young lady! Now what on earth have you done with my ragged squaw of a sister?" he asked teasingly.
Trixie stuck her tongue out at him and turned to her mother with a pained look.
"Oh, Mart, leave her alone," said Mrs. Belden as she admired her beautifully blossomed daughter.
The two left the house with Honey's gifts in hand and walked up the hill to the Manor House.
Trixie's stomach ruptured with the thought of seeing Jim. She looked back on the night before and smiled to herself at Jim's tender kiss. She could tell but Mart's stiff, brisk walk that he was also nervous about the party. His hands were jammed in his pockets, and his eyes were fixed straight ahead.
Never before had Trixie been so nervous about knocking on the door of the Wheelers'. Her hand was practically shaking.
Miss Trask opened the door. "Hi, Trixie, Mart. You two are the first ones here. Come on in!"
Miss Trask led them to the spacious back verandah where the Wheelers always held their parties. Tables were set up with finger food and a punch bowl. Japanese lanterns were hanging from the posts.
Jim was sitting with Honey on a bench, snacking on a chip.
Jim rose as he saw the transformed Trixie walking in. His eyes bulged with amazement. "Hi Trix."
"Where's Ben?" Trixie asked, looking around her.
"Oh, he and Di went for a ride. They should be here in a little while," Honey said, glancing sideways at Mart, who pretended not to have heard.
There was an awkward silence as Trixie set down the gifts for Honey. Jim watched her, and let out a low whistle.
"Trixie, you look phenomenal," he said as he came up behind her and put his hands around her waist.
"You don't look too shabby yourself, Jim." Trixie's face felt hot.
Honey strutted over to purposely impose on the couple. "So, you two are finally together. Now how long did I know that this was sure to happen?" She smiled. "Well, I'm very happy for you."
"Thanks, Honey. It means a lot," Trixie said.
"Sappy, sappy! Is that how it will always be around here? I mean really! Can't you guys just get over it?" Mart said teasingly.
They laughed. Mart turned around to see Diana and Ben walk in, laughing and goofing off. His face fell.
Di came over to the other four and said in between laughs, "Hey guys! You have got to hear Ben do his impression of Peter Sellers from the Pink Panther."
"Oh, that is my absolute favorite movie!" Honey gasped.
Mart obviously didn't want to see Ben impress the group. Mart was always the one that told the jokes and made Di laugh. How could such a creep replace him? He walked stuffily into the next room to avoid Di's giddiness. Trixie saw that he was ticked, and followed him.
"Mart! Are you all right?" She asked as he turned to face her with flaring eyes.
"What do you think, Trix? The guy just came in and destroyed my life. I can't take it." Mart's temper vanished and his face was filled with frustration and pain.
"Oh, Mart, I understand. But Ben lives way out. How could they possibly have a long-distance relationship. Plus, you seem to be forgetting that Di is totally completely crazy about you. Don't worry, Mart. Just go back in there and enjoy yourself, okay?"
Mart nodded reluctantly as Trixie took his arm and led him back to the verandah.
Dan had since then arrived, and he was at Honey's side, pouring her a glass of punch.
Oh, Brian better watch out. He may have some competition, thought Trixie.
"Why don't we have Honey open her presents?" Jim suggested.
"Yeah," chorused the rest of the party.
Honey sat at the table with seven small wrapped gifts piled high.
Trixie handed her the one on top. "This one's first. It's from all of us."
Honey unwrapped the box to find a silver linked charm bracelet. "Oh guys! This is great! I've always wanted a charm bracelet!" she said beaming.
"There's more," Jim said.
Honey took the next box. "That one's from me," Mart said.
Inside was a charm of a little house. "Oh, Mart, this is great! Thanks!"
"The house signifies the Bob-Whites. The way we're all united under one roof as brothers and sisters."
Honey smiled at him, already teary-eyed.
The next box was from Diana, a mini dollar.
"Honey, you're the one that made me realize that money doesn't classify people, and that I don't have to be miserable just because I have a lot of money."
"Aww Di, thank you so much."
Jim handed Honey another small box. "This one's from me."
Inside was a tiny charm of a trailer.
"If you and Trixie hadn't come looking for me in that trailer, I would have never been adopted by your parents. I could be in Taiwan herding cows or something right now."
By then, tears had started to stream down Honey's face.
The next was from Ben.
"Jim called and said that you all were buying charms for a bracelet, and so I bought a charm of a salt shaker. I'll never forget the time I switched the sugar and salt, and you had to eat salted oatmeal. I'm glad you've forgiven me for those stupid pranks!"
Honey grinned at her cousin. "What makes you so sure I've forgiven you?"
The next, from Dan, was a cowboy boot.
Dan sheepishly explained that if Honey hadn't given him a chance then, he would probably be back in a gang in the city.
Last of all was Trixie's. They all watched as Honey pulled out a tiny magnifying glass.
"It stands for our everlasting friendship and partnership," Trixie said.
Honey smiled through her tears, unable to speak. She gave each of them a hug of thanks. All the guests crowded around Honey to admire her bracelet, which was almost full with charms.
"Hey Trix," Jim asked, "do you want something to eat?"
"Sure, I'm famished!"
Jim loaded up a plate of Jell-O Jigglers, sandwich bites, and chips for her, and they went to sit at a table.
Aerosmith was being blasted out of Honey's record player. "Sing with me; sing for the year. Sing for the laughter; sing for tears."
Jim hummed the popular tune as he ate his food.
Mart sat at the table with the new couple and watched Ben and Di. He kept starting to get up, but then sitting back down. He pulled the box out of his pocket several times to just end up putting it back.
"Give it to her!" Trixie hissed to Mart from across the table, when she saw that Ben had departed from Di's side.
He shot her a look, and got up with a deep breath.
Mart walked up to Diana slowly. She was coolly sipping her punch, and staring out to the gardens. Ben had gone to get her a plate of food.
"Di," Mart said meekly, "can I talk to you for a minute?"
Diana turned around. "Sure, Mart! What's up?"
"Di, you know that I've always had a keen liking to you. Natch, until Ben showed up, I thought you felt the same." His ears were growing warm. "Well, here, maybe this will tell you what I'm trying to say." He thrust out the black box.
Di looked up at him with her huge violet eyes, and took the box. She gingerly opened it to find the ring.
"Oh, Mart! I didn't know you thought that I like Ben. Gosh, no! He's fun to hang out with, but no one can compare to you." She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
"Will you put the ring on for me?" She asked shyly.
Mart nodded and put the ring on the fourth finger of her left hand.
Ben then came back with Di's plate.
"Hey, Di, do you want to dance?" he asked eagerly.
"Sorry, Ben," she said. "I'm dancing with Mart." She turned to Mart. "If that's okay with you!"
"Swell!" Mart said and took the raven-haired girl in his arms.
"This is perfectly perfect!" said Trixie, gazing at Jim as she picked at her food.
"You said it," he replied. "Well, my beautiful girl, how about a dance?"
"Good idea, my handsome man!"
Jim helped Trixie from her chair and held her tight as they floated across the verandah.
The words of Steven Tyler flowed throughout the room.
"Even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do. I'd still miss you babe, and I don't wanna miss a thing."
Dan sat at the round table admiring Honey's shimmering hair. Now that Trixie was in the arms of Jim, Dan saw the outstanding beauty of Honey for the first time. He couldn't believe that he was having feelings for such a rich and amazing girl, such a girl that was truly out of his league.
"Honey, would you like to dance with me?" he asked, trying to hide the hopefulness in his voice.
She smiled her perfect smile. "Yeah, I would."
Dan stood and took her hand. He led her to the middle of the room where Diana and Mart and Trixie and Jim were already dancing. He held Honey close. They chatted about the usual things, nothing romantic of the sort.
"Have you been in the AOL chat room lately, Dan? There are some great people from school that chat there sometimes."
"Oh, really," Dan asked, watching her lips move, and holding back the urge to kiss her right there. "I'm just getting used to the new computer. I haven't been on very much."
"Oh."
Honey looked over to the door and froze. Brian was standing in the doorway seeing Honey in the arms of another man. They stared at one another. Honey's light dance steps stopped, causing Dan to notice that Honey's one and only interest had arrived.
Brian walked toward her. The whole moment was in slow motion. He tapped Dan on the shoulder.
"May I?" he asked.
Dan stepped aside.
Brian finally had the girl of his dreams in his reach. They started dancing slowly.
"Hi," he whispered.
"Hi," Honey was breathless.
"I decided to forget school for once and surprise you."
"I'm glad."
Brian reached into his pocket and handed Honey a charm for her bracelet.
"I thought you might like this," he said with shining brown eyes.
It was a heart with an inscription that read, "Mine Forever."
Honey looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Thank you, Brian."
"Happy birthday, Honey," he said, kissing her lips gently.
Dan joined Ben at a table as they watched the three happy couples dance the night away.
"Well, Ben," he said, "I guess it's just you and me."
The End