*all ages

Notes: I love Alice in Wonderland. Thank you Mr. Carroll. Of course, these are copywritten, borrowed characters. I have not received monetary compensation for their use. I plan to return them unharmed to the dusty confines of my library shelf. Thank you Mary. You are terrific, terrific, terrific.

Mysterious Mart

by

Psoup

Diana Lynch, sixteen, rushed across the courtyard of Sleepyside Junior-Senior High School. "Please let the bus be late," she begged. Around the corner of the library, she paused to catch her breath. There was the bus! Mart was hovering in the doorway waiting for her. She grinned. "Thanks."

"I didn't think you'd make it," he said, leading her to a seat in the back of the bus. He reached for her bag, dropping it on the floor before taking her hand. "I missed you yesterday." Mart was president of the school debate team and had gone to a competition in White Plains against a rival high school. He had found a way to put his love of words to good use. In fact, he was considering going to law school after he got his bachelors' degree. As much as he loved agriculture, he realized there wasn’t much of a future in it for him. Now in his senior year, he had been accepted to three universities. He was considering his options and waiting for scholarships.

Di squeezed his hand. Looking up into his denim blue eyes, she could see a mischievous sparkle in them. He was up to something. They had been dating exclusively for a year now. She loved the way he made her feel important and more than just a pretty face. He had a great sense of
humor, not to mention his "golden boy" good looks. She hadn't missed the admiring glances the other girls on the bus gave him. She had finally convinced him to let his sun-bleached blond hair grow a little, letting it curl naturally. Then she showed him how gel would keep it manageable.
His deep tan contrasting with his hair and eyes was a combination she couldn't resist.

Mart put his arm around her shoulders. "How was the committee meeting?" he asked as he ran his fingers through her raven hair.

"Fine I guess," she sighed. "They’re still arguing about the music, even though Homecoming is in two weeks. I wish we could just play a variety of popular songs." The junior class was in charge of Homecoming festivities this year. Di's natural talents with art and design made her
the popular choice for heading up the committee, though she was starting to regret the extra hours and headaches that went with it. "I just want to go home and relax this weekend." She turned to Mart. "Have you found a new job?"

Mart looked into her expressive violet eyes. "Not yet. I saved up the money I earned as a lifeguard with you this summer. But it’s not enough. With my parents helping cover Brian’s extra expenses at college, I want to be able to pay my own way next year." He quietly told her some of his plans.

Mart glanced out the window. "Here's your stop." He reached down to pick up her bag and unobtrusively slipped a note inside. "Call me later," he whispered. Kissing her fingers, he handed her the bag. She smiled before turning to head down the aisle. Grinning, he silently watched her walk up the drive to her huge estate. This would be a great surprise!

Di closed the door to her bedroom. She threw her bag on the bed before settling on her window seat to read Mart's note. Two years ago they had started their daily note writing. Keeping their relationship private was increasingly difficult with all the B.W.G.'s around. Mart's brother Bobby
and sister Trixie were especially annoying.

Dove,
Have I told you lately how beautiful you are? You are so beautiful to me. Forget your committee. Call me later and I'll come over and help you with your Trig homework. Don't forget I am having dinner with my family tonight. Brian and Jim are coming home for the weekend. Moms wants all her chicks in the nest.

I love you, beautiful.
Mart

P.S. There's a surprise for you in the refrigerator. It's in a white box.

Di giggled as she practically skipped down the stairs to the kitchen. Mart was always so full of surprises. She pulled open the refrigerator door in anticipation. Sure enough, in the very back was a small white box. Sitting down at the bar, she opened the box. Nestled inside were a
homemade oatmeal cookie and a tiny note that read; eat me. She took a bite. Mmm, a Mrs. Belden original. She was startled to see a paper sticking out of the cookie.

Get the glass of milk out of the refrigerator door. How had she missed that? She walked back and opened the door. There it was. She smiled and read drink me written on the glass. She drained the glass, nothing but milk. As she turned to set the glass in the sink, she noticed something still in it. Written on the bottom of the glass were the words, Cassette Player.

Munching on the rest of the cookie, she entered the living room. The cassette deck in the stereo was empty. She thought for a minute then returned to her room. There on her tape player was another note, play me. That wasn't there earlier, was it? She hit play. "Congratulations, you've found me!" Mart's voice clear as day. "Are you enjoying your scavenger hunt? There is a great big reward at the end so keep on hunting. I am with you all the way. There is a clue in your closet."

Di clicked off the player before she opened her closet door. She scanned the rows of neatly hung clothing in shades of lavender and violet, her signature color. Everything was in order. Nothing was out of place on the shelves. Finally, she peered under the shelf at her shoes. There was another note tucked into her new purple pumps. You will need these. She pulled out the shoes and dropped them on her bed. "Okay, now what?" Thoughtfully, she pushed the play button on the tape player.

"Aha, you are a pretty good detective. I was wondering if you would be back." Mart sounded positively wicked. "Have you looked at yourself lately? Pretty gorgeous huh." There was a long pause. Di looked over at her dresser. There was another note taped to her mirror. Look down.

There was a bottle of perfume with a little tag, my favorite flavor. Suddenly Mart's voice was back. She'd forgotten to hit stop. "Check out the Master bedroom. Beep!" This time she hit stop before racing down the hallway.

She skidded to a stop in her parent's room. Everything looked normal. It was a beautiful room professionally decorated in royal blue and gold. She walked back out and looked at the door. Pushing on it lightly she heard a rustling noise. Hanging behind the door was her new lilac gown
for the Homecoming dance. Pinned to the clear protective bag was a note with these words: This will be perfect. She took down the dress. Taped to the door was another note. Play it again, Sam. While walking back to her room, she had to admit this was really fun! Mart seemed to have a knack for making the ordinary, extraordinary.

She pushed play. Music filled the room as her favorite song played. "Can I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Life?" She stood there listening quietly as Mart's voice whispered, "It's dinner time." Di glanced at her watch, 6:00 p.m. She had been occupied for over an hour! "I haven't even started my homework," she moaned. "Mart owes me big." She looked around her room before stopping the tape and heading downstairs.

"It's about time. I'm starving!" boomed Mr. Lynch grinning at his daughter. Above his head hung a huge banner. Diana Lynch, please allow me the honor of escorting you to the Homecoming Dance! Signed Martin the Magnificent.

Di couldn't help herself from laughing out loud. "You were in on this," she accused before kissing her father's cheek.

"Guilty as charged," he confessed.

Putting her arm around him she whispered in his ear, "Daddy, can I borrow your Visa card?" Her eyes gleamed as she said, "Let’s give Mr. Mart a taste of his own medicine."

*     *     *

Laughter and the murmur of voices could be heard in the Belden dining room. Brian was home from his third year at NYU. The whole family had enjoyed their first dinner together in six weeks while Brian filled them in on his classes. He admitted things were a lot tougher this year. Often, he felt overwhelmed. He was shocked the first day he had to dissect a human cadaver in his anatomy class. The school of medicine was full of gifted students and the competition was fierce. Every day it seemed someone else dropped out of the program.

Trixie monopolized the rest of the conversation. Someone was breaking into the lockers at school and stealing anything valuable. The police had been called in but they didn’t seem to take the vandalism seriously. So far only a walkman with various CD’s and twenty dollars and been taken. Trixie fumed. "Even the principal doesn’t seem to care." She was especially irate because it was her hard-earned twenty. She and Honey had been investigating for a week now but only had a few leads.

As it got later, the Belden siblings started to get restless. Family togetherness gets old after a while. Bobby wanted to watch the football game. Trixie was dying to call Jim. Brian was supposed to meet Honey in half an hour for a movie. Curiosity was slowing killing Mart. Why hasn't Di called yet? She must be done by now.

After dinner and dishes, the Beldens were enjoying thick slices of blueberry pie. Bobby was telling Brian about the Fourth Grade and his new basketball team. Suddenly, he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Trixie jumped up and pulled open the door.

Standing there was a deliveryman holding a bouquet of wildflowers. "I have a delivery for Martin Belden," he said.

Trixie stepped back and pointed to Mart. The man handed him the flowers and said, "Martin Belden, Diana says yes. She will marry you!" The laughter rang out as a red-faced Mart dug in his pockets for a tip. "That girl has be spending way too much time around me," he thought to himself. "She got me good!" As he turned to hand the flowers to his mom, the phone rang.

The End

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