Chapter 10
Trixie was relieved when the football game was over. After the bathroom incident, she really wished they could just all go home, but she refused to spoil this special night for the others and she especially refused to spoil it for herself and Jim. This was their first real date.
When they arrived at the school gym after the homecoming game, it was like they had stepped into a fairy tale. The theme this year was fairy tale princes and princesses, (since the school administrators were somewhat old-fashioned), but the gym looked beautiful. There were pictures of scenes from Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella adorning the walls. There were aluminum stars hanging from the ceiling, there was a pumpkin coach over in a corner, for a picture taking booth, colorfully painted plaster of Paris seven dwarves hovered in a corner.
Trixie forgot her earlier scare as she danced with Jim Frayne and later on with Dan Mangan who had come to the dance with a cheerleader. She also danced with Brian. She was fine in here, but she was sort of dreading going home and being alone in her room at night. She wondered if she would hear noises all night, and fear that Pierre was going to come into her home. Would she have those horrible dreams? She shuddered as she thought about it. She knew that tomorrow she had to tell the other Bob-Whites about Pierre Lontard. Finally, the dance was over and they walked out to the crowded parking lot. They all crowded into the Bob-White station wagon.
"I'm famished," announced Mart, as soon as they all were settled in. "Anyone for Wimpy's?"
"I have a better idea," said Diana, before anyone could reply. "Actually, Mother had our servants prepare some things for us at my house just in case we wanted to eat after the dance."
"Diana, you are a woman after my own heart," Mart said, as he put his arm around her.
"That is if she's a good cook." Trixie said jokingly. "You'll have to be to make Mart happy."
All the others laughed. They all drove up to the Lynch mansion and Trixie and Honey called their mother's as soon as they were inside to let them know where they were.
Diana pulled out a huge tray of cold cuts and different kinds of cheese, chips and dip, vegetables and dip, fresh fruit and a huge chocolate cake. "Along with all this, there are several kinds of soft drinks." She said. "I'll just let each of you choose."
Of course Trixie chose strawberry soda. They all fixed plates and went into the large family room. "Would you like to listen to music or watch TV or a movie?" Diana asked looking around at each of them.
"Well, we Beldens can't stay long, Mart and I have to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow." Announced Brian.
"I know the feeling." Said Jim. "Regan has informed Honey and I that the horses have to be ridden. We've been so busy lately, and the only horses who've been exercised have been Susie and Lady, because Honey and Trixie have taken them out."
"That's right. I had forgotten." Agreed Honey ruefully. They watched a couple of old Gilligan's island episodes and then prepared to leave. As Honey and Brian and Trixie and Jim headed out to the station wagon, Mart of course stayed inside to tell Diana goodbye. He came out with a paper plate loaded with cold cuts and chocolate cake.
"Only Mart would take food home from his date's house." Said Trixie.
"Oh now, Trix, leave Mart alone." Jim said.
"Oh, it's true." Brian confirmed.
Trixie realized that she had had such a nice time that she had forgotten her earlier incident in the restrooms at the game. She looked at Brian and Honey in the front seat as she rested her head on Jim's shoulder. She could hear Mart eating potato chips in the back. This all seems so normal, she thought. But yet, it's not normal. I don't know where Pierre is, where he may be hiding, where he may turn up next.
Jim walked her to the door as Brian said goodbye. They kissed goodnight.
"I had a great time tonight Jim." Trixie told him truthfully. "I always have a good time when I'm with you." he replied.
Chapter 11
Much to Trixie's surprise, she fell asleep and slept soundly. She had no dreams about Pierre Lontard and she didn't hear any strange noises all night long. She awakened feeling unease in the pit of her stomach though. Later on today, she planned on telling all the Bob-Whites everything. The unease came from not knowing how they were going to take the information, particularly Jim Frayne. She got out of bed, slipped on her blue jeans and headed downstairs, helping herself to waffles and sausage Mrs. Belden had prepared. "Hi Dad." She said kissing him on the forehead.
"Good morning, sweetheart. How was the dance last night?"
"Oh Dad, it was great. And Sleepyside beat Croton forty to seven."
"I haven't been to a football game in a long time," her father said. "One of these Friday nights, me and your mother may just take in a game."
Mart and Brian, who were already seated at the table, then engaged her father in a talk of who all was playing this year and what their characteristics were as Trixie thoughtfully drank her orange juice. After she finished, she took her dishes to the sink and got busy with her Saturday chores and helping with Bobby. They had called a Bob-White meeting earlier in the week for this afternoon and this was when she planned to tell the other Bob-Whites. She felt much more trepidation about having to do that than she felt fear about Pierre Lontard, at least that's how she felt this morning.
Brian and Mart had gone to do outdoor chores and her mother had gone to the grocery store as Trixie dusted the living room. ring....ring. Trixie rushed into the kitchen to answer the phone.
"Hello" Trixie said, hoping it wasn't that dreaded accented voice.
"Hello Trixie?" Honey said. Trixie sighed with relief.
"Oh Honey, I'm so glad it's you," Trixie said. "You wouldn't believe what happened last night."
"Oh, you mean after Jim and I dropped you and Brian off?" Honey asked curiously.
"No, actually, it was before that, at the football game," Trixie said. She then told Honey about the incident at the restrooms behind the bleachers.
"Oh Trixie. Why didn't you tell me?" Honey said. "I can't believe that you went through that all alone. If you had told me, I would've insisted that we all go home."
"I know Honey, and believe me I felt like going home. But, it would've ruined things for everyone and it would have made me have to tell them before I'm ready. But, I've decided that I am going to tell them today, at the Bob-White meeting."
"You're doing the right thing Trixie," Honey replied. "I just feel a little concerned about how Brian and Jim are going to take the fact that we've been carrying this around for over a month and haven't told them."
"I'm concerned about that, too," Trixie told her. "But, when I told Moms and Dad about Jim, there were a lot of things that could have happened, but if I learned a lesson about that, sometimes it's better to come clean and deal with the consequences, even if they're negative ones."
"You're right, Trix. Well, I guess I'd better go, Jim and Dan and I are going to exercise the horses, see you this afternoon."
It wasn't a very good Saturday afternoon for Trixie. She would be glad when telling them was over with. Since it was the Beldens turn to bring refreshments, she busied herself with mixing up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and baking them, and mixing some fruit punch. Before long, it was time to walk down to the clubhouse. Honey, Jim, Diana and Dan were already waiting inside, as Trixie, Brian and Mart arrived. At first, they had refreshments and just made small talk. They discussed maybe having something in the spring to raise money for the women's shelter, and just threw in some plans about what they could do. When things had grown quiet again and they all sat around the big table, Honey and Trixie looked at each other meaningfully.
"Um, Honey and I have something we have to tell you," Trixie said, feeling like her stomach had fallen to her feet. "And, it's not good."
"My sister has quite the flair for the dramatic, does she not?" Mart asked, trying to goad Trixie. He realized that she was probably on the trail of a mystery, but he didn't feel it was anything serious.
Trixie started with the story about the night last month when she looked out the window and saw the man in black, met the two FBI agents and what they had told her. She couldn't quite look at any of them as she went on, especially not Jim. In fact, she was afraid to see the look in his eyes and right now, she wished she had told him everything from the start. When she had finished, ending it with the story about the bathroom at the game a couple of nights before, she looked around the table at everyone. She saw sympathy in Dan and Diana and Mart's eyes. But, Jim looked at her with mistrust and she stood there, not knowing how to respond. Brian was just staring off into space, while Honey looked at him pleadingly. It was like he didn't even know she was there.
Chapter 12
Jim stood up, hit the table as hard as he could with his fist, used some profanity and stomped out, slamming the door as he went. Trixie still stood at the end of the table and she didn't think she had ever felt so helpless. What if I've lost Jim? she thought, while remembering a few weeks ago when Honey had told her that Jim might not like it if she kept secrets from him now.
"Honey," Brian said quietly, as he pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. "We need to go somewhere and talk. If you all would excuse us please." Brian didn't even look at Trixie as he and Honey went out the door.
Diana stood and said, "Guys, I think I'm going to go home." She came and put an arm around Trixie's shoulder. "Trixie, I'm so sorry you've had to go through all this and if you need me, please call."
Trixie, who had tears in her eyes, just nodded.
Dan came up and put his arms around Trixie. "Trixie, Jim's angry, but he will get over it. You'll see. In the meantime be careful. And, if you need anyone, you know I'll be there." He grabbed his coat and headed out the door. "Hey Diana, wait up!" he yelled.
All that was left in the clubhouse was Trixie and Mart.
"Trixie, I'm really sorry. I'm sorry that you've been through all this alone. I mean, worrying about us having to give up our home and our friends, worry that this idiot Pierre Lontard was going to show up. And now, Jim has reacted like a jerk."
"I don't blame him Mart, I really don't," she said, starting to cry.
"Oh, Trixie," he said, putting his arm around her. "Jim will be all right. He loves you. He's just going to need some time."
Trixie and Mart quickly cleaned up everything and prepared to walk home.
"Oh Mart," Trixie told him. "Look what I've done. When I selfishly went after Pierre Lontard, not only did I put my friends in danger that summer on the Mississippi. I put them in future danger, just so I could solve a mystery. Even when they catch him, there's no telling how many others are going to come out of the woodwork that I've gone after. I've put Honey's life in jeopardy several times since I've known her and now, I may have lost Jim and I've caused trouble between Honey and Brian. What if they break up over this? Neither of them will ever forgive me. I don't think I want to be a detective after all. I think I should try to be a stay at home housewife like Moms."
"Trixie, I don't want to hear you talk like that. Brian and Honey will be alright and so will you and Jim. And, it isn't your fault this psycho has decided to come after you. The truth is Trix, I'm proud of you. I've never told you this before, but you're one of the bravest girls I've ever seen, even if you are my sister. And, the world would miss out on something wonderful, if you didn't fulfill your dream to be a detective. Just like the world would miss something if Brian didn't go on to become a doctor. and as for you and Jim and Brian and Honey, you're going to come out stronger than you were before. You watch and see. This isn't an ending, this is a beginning."
Trixie just smiled sadly at Mart. She appreciated his trying to make her feel better, but she wasn't convinced. The cost of going after Pierre Lontard may have been too high.
Chapter 13
Trixie went home and spent the afternoon cleaning. She went the extra mile instead of just doing what she had to do and even Moms was impressed. Her heart ached when she thought of Jim, but she was also worried about Brian and Honey and she wished that she would hear from them, even just one of them. She just wanted to know, even if Brian would never forgive her and Jim had decided to end the two of them for good, she wanted to know. It was not knowing that was so agonizing.
Since it was pretty cold outside, Moms had cooked a huge pot of creamy ham and potato soup, along with assorted sandwiches and an old fashioned pound cake for dinner. This was one of Trixie's favorite meals, but she could hardly eat. "Where's Brian?" she asked Moms, when he didn't come back for dinner.
"Oh, he's over at Honey's," Moms replied. "He called and said he would be there for awhile."
After dinner, Trixie and Mart cleaned up the kitchen for Moms and then Trixie wearily climbed the stairs to her room. She didn't even feel like watching t.v. with her family. She took out her books and decided to do her homework now instead of waiting till late Sunday night, which is what she normally would've done. Her eyelids began to grow heavy and she began to consider going to bed when she heard Brian coming up the stairs. She could tell it was him, because she knew how his footsteps sounded. He came down the hall to her door and gently knocked.
"Come in," Trixie said, sort of dreading what she knew was going to be a conversation concerning the events of earlier today.
"Trixie," Brian said, sitting on the edge of her bed.
"First of all," Trixie said, interrupting what he was about to say, "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner and I'm sorry that I coerced Honey into not telling you, she wanted to--"
Brian held his hand up. "Stop right there, Trixie. It's okay."
"But, you and Honey aren't going to break up are you?" She asked, tears in her eyes.
"Of course not, Trixie," he said, putting his arm around her as she came and sat beside him on the bed. "I was really upset, as I'm sure Jim is that we weren't told sooner. I mean, you were in all this danger, and you didn't let us know. But, Honey told me why you didn't, that your first concern was for us, but still, you should have told us." Trixie hung her head ashamed. "Anyway, in the future, you need to let us know what's going on."
Trixie nodded her head. "But Brian, I really thought what I was doing was best for everyone."
"Well, it wasn't," he told her. "But, don't worry about it." He stood up to leave.
"Uh Brian?" she asked, looking up at him. "Um, have you seen Jim?"
"Jim was gone for a long time today," he said. "But, he came in as I was leaving. He's very angry and upset, because for Jim, when you went this long without telling him, it was the equivalent to lying to him and there's been a breach of trust as far as he's concerned."
"Do you think he's going to break up with me?" Trixie asked tearfully.
"Trixie, I wish I could reassure you that he wasn't. I have to say, I don't think so, but I can't tell you for certain. He didn't talk to me when I saw him tonight, he just looked very hurt and upset."
That night Trixie dreamed that they were back on the boat on the Mississippi. Mrs. Aguilera was trying to shove her into the swirling water and she knew she'd be gone forever. "Jim" She screamed, she could see him off in the distance, but it was like he couldn't even hear her.
Chapter 14
Trixie didn't see Jim all day on Sunday. She did talk to Honey though and Honey told her that Jim just wasn't talking to anyone. Later, Honey came over to help Trixie do her chores and Trixie was glad for the company.
Honey went home late that evening and Trixie prepared for the end of a very long and miserable day. She was in the living room when she heard a rap at the door. She opened it and there he stood. "Jim" She said, so very relieved to see him.
"Can I come in?" he asked almost hesitantly.
"Sure," she told him.
"Can we talk?" he asked her.
"Sure," she said. "Let's go into the living room. When everyone comes downstairs, they'll stay in the family room."
They went in the living room and sat in the two antique Queen Anne chairs that had been in Trixie's family for many years.
"Trixie," he said.
"Jim," she said at the same time.
"No, you go first," they both said again.
Finally, Trixie said, "Jim, the only thing I can say is I'm sorry. I never meant to keep something from you like that. I just kept hoping that Pierre Lontard would be caught and we could go on with our lives."
"But, that's not the point Trixie," he told her. "You kept something from me. And, from now on, there has to be no more secrets. You have to promise me that?"
"Jim, I'll do my best," she told him looking into his eyes. "I'm just so glad my stupidity didn't cost me you."
"It would take a lot more than this. I love you Trixie Belden," Jim told her as he pulled her into his arms.
Trixie felt like she could hear birds singing in the wintertime, she felt so joyous, Pierre Lontard or not.
Monday morning as she got ready for school. Trixie was feeling better and better about things and more like her old self. Pierre Lontard is being heard from less and less, she thought. Even after the incident Friday night at school, he hasn't called or anything like that.
"Trixie, the station wagon's here!" Mart yelled up the stairs. She finished combing her hair and rushed down the stairs.
All of the Bob-Whites except for Jim and Brian had to ride the bus home that evening and talk centered around what to do for Brian's birthday which was Friday. "Friday night will be our family celebration," Trixie told them.
"How about if we have a party on the veranda at our house Saturday evening?" Honey asked.
"Or maybe have it inside, since it'll probably be cold," Mart suggested.
"Wait a minute," Honey suggested. "Let's have it down at the lake. We could have a campfire and we could grill steaks and that way we could play our music as loud as we wanted without any adults around to complain."
"Sounds like a winner to me," Dan said as the others nodded their agreement.
Chapter 15
Saturday was a beautiful but very cold day. Trixie done her chores and about an hour before dark, she ran next door to Honey's. Earlier, Trixie's mom had made a yellow cake with fluffy coconut frosting, Brian's favorite, and Trixie carried it in a large plastic container. Trixie and Honey were going down to the lake to get ready for the party and Dan would be meeting them there to start the grill and the bonfire.
"Everything worked out so beautifully in the end," Honey said, referring to the fact that she and Brian and Jim and Trixie had not ended up breaking up over the situation with Pierre Lontard.
"I just wish they would finally catch Pierre Lontard," Trixie told Honey as she looked around them shivering.
"I do too, Trixie. But, you know, he's had many opportunities to do something to you and he hasn't taken them. I'm wondering if he just wants to scare you."
"I've thought the same thing myself Honey, but then I remember that summer, when he nearly drowned me in the swimming pool and he would've killed us if we hadn't been rescued at the shack, he's very, very capable of murder."
"I wish you hadn't of reminded me of that," said Honey, looking around her and also shivering.
They arrived at the boathouse, but Dan hadn't arrived yet. As it began to grow dark, they started putting up green and white streamers and spread a matching table cloth on the table. "Trixie, I don't know what's keeping Dan. But, I need to run up to the house and get the presents. You want to come with me?" Honey asked.
"Oh no," Trixie said. I'll finish decorating, I'm sure Dan and probably the others will be here any time. Honey rushed off toward the Manor House. Trixie busily blew up balloons and hung them around the boathouse porch.
Oh, it's cold, she thought, shivering. I wish Dan or one of the others would hurry and build a fire.
She walked over to the edge of the boathouse and looked across the almost frozen lake. It was very well lit around the lake, since Honey's Father had had street lights installed, so the Bob-Whites could swim after dark in summer and ice skate after dark in winter.
At firs,t Trixie thought she was imagining things, but then she realized she wasn't as a figure dressed in black from head to toe, with a black ski mask pulled over his face slowly walked up the trail that wound around the lake toward the boathouse, where she stood. Fear gripped her, but she told herself, this might be Dan, though Dan rarely wore a ski mask.
She looked toward Manor house to see if Honey or any of the others were on their way. She knew the person was close enough to her to catch her if she ran, she debated whether to take a chance and run anyway, or run inside the boathouse and lock herself in and hope the others would make it before he figured out a way in. She looked around for a weapon didn't see anything, and then ran toward the door of the boathouse deciding this would be her best option. After all, the others had to be along any second now and hopefully that would scare him off. But, when she grabbed the door, to open it, it was locked from the inside. Frantically, she turned back around, the figure was getting closer and closer, and she started to make a run for it. She looked around relieved, as she saw Honey and Jim coming from Manor House and Diana, Mart, and Dan heading up from the direction of Diana's house.
Pierre Lontard, at least that is who she was assuming the strange masked figure was, spoke to her. "Don't worry my sweet, we'll be together soon," he said and headed back into the woods as he laughed that sinister laugh.
Trixie was so afraid, she took off running toward Jim. When she told the others what happened, Jim, Dan, and Mart headed into the woods to see if they could find him, but to no avail.
"After what happened, I think we need to move this party back to our house," Jim stated grimly when he had returned.
"I agree," said Mart.
"I think we'd enjoy that more," Honey said. "It's so cold out here, I don't know if we could really be comfortable anyway."
Jim went and got the station wagon and the Bob-Whites loaded all the things they had brought for the birthday party into the back of it and headed back to the Manor House.
To Be Continued