Part II
But I Had It On
Several days later, Trixie climbed into Tad’s car, heaved her backpack into the back seat, and handed him a fresh apple turnover.
“Yum,” responded Tad through a mouthful of the delicious pastry.
“Glad you like it,” replied Trixie glumly.
Tad swallowed his pastry and looked at Trixie. “Something wrong?”
“Yeah, as usual, my life just took a 180 degree turn.”
‘Why? What happened?” asked Tad as he backed down the driveway of Crabapple Farm.
“Well, the insurance company was all set to pay off my car. But then that stupid driver claimed that I didn’t have my turn signal on. And I know I did because the blinking sound matched the beat of the song on the radio and that made for great car dancing.”
“What song was playing?” asked Tad as he easily envisioned Trixie shimmying and bouncing around in her seat while driving through town.
“Promise you won’t laugh?” questioned Trixie.
Tad nodded.
“Another One Bites the Dust,” replied Trixie.
Tad kept his eyes on the road as he bit the side of his cheek to keep from laughing. He knew that would only make Trixie madder and he definitely didn’t want that. After a brief silence, Tad gently questioned Trixie. “Are you sure you signaled?”
Trixie shot Tad a murderous look. “Really? Of course I had it on. I know a lot of people think I can be somewhat ditzy, but I always use my turn signal.”
“How do you know you always use it? Maybe you forgot,” suggested Tad.
‘No!” Trixie shook her head emphatically. “I like the sound of it so I always use it. And even if I didn’t, that idiot ran into the back of me. What about a ‘safe and assured clear distance’, or whatever it is?”
Tad shrugged as he listened to Trixie vent. After she settled down, he quietly asked her, “So what does this mean? You were mad at the insurance company but you never told me why.”
“Because if I had any fault in the accident, then his insurance doesn’t want to replace my car. I won’t have enough money to buy another one.”
“Serious?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m earning decent money, but it will take me forever to have enough to buy a car. I can’t keep sponging rides off you And besides, I was hoping to use my money from work to eventually find myself a small apartment.”
“Trixie, don’t worry about me. I don’t mind taking you to school. But you were not at fault for that accident. We just have to find a way to figure it out.”
“Hey, you were nearby, weren’t you? Did you see the accident? Could you see my turn signal?”
Tad shook his head. “I was in the coffee shop. I heard the crash and then came over. I didn’t actually see it happen.”
“Great, just great!” muttered Trixie as she slouched down in her seat.
Tad glanced over at his friend, who was staring out her car window. The rest of the ride to school was a silent one.
Later that day, Tad caught up with Spider, who was seated at the counter at Wimpy’s enjoying a cup of coffee. Sliding onto a stool, Tad jostled the arm of his older brother.
“Hey, watch it. You almost spilled my coffee.” cautioned Spider.
“Sorry. Spider, I need to ask you something.”
“Okay, shoot!”
“Remember that guy that hit Trixie’s car about a month ago?”
Spider nodded.
“You said he was drunk, right?”
Spider hesitated slightly, then nodded again.
“Listen to this: That guy claims that Trixie didn’t use her turn signal. So now his insurance company doesn’t want to pay to replace her car. Is there anything you can do to help her?”
Spider took a sip of his coffee then slowly set his cup on the counter. Turning, he saw the determination in Tad’s face to help Trixie. Spider grimaced slightly as he replied, “Not really Tad. Yes, I know that the man who hit Trixie is now claiming that she didn’t indicate a turn. And if that is true, then we would have to cite her. And then, I suppose the entire cause of the accident would shift a bit, which might affect her payout from his insurance company.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re going to now charge Trixie with not using her turn signal after that drunk totaled her car?” Tad’s voice rose.
“Tad, calm down. Nothing has been settled or decided yet. Maybe that man will just admit he was drunk and therefore at fault for the accident.”
“It doesn’t sound like that’s going to happen. It sounds like that jerk is going to fight instead. You wouldn’t believe how upset Trixie is over all of this. And she was so excited about us car shopping again this weekend. Seriously Spider, after all she has done for this town, and now you want to give her a ticket? I thought you liked Trixie!”
“Tad, take it easy. I don’t want to give Trixie a ticket because I personally don't think she did anything wrong. Let’s just wait and see how this plays out, okay?”
Tad exhaled loudly. “Fine.”
You want anything?” asked Spider as he gestured to Mike. Tad shook his head.
Glancing at the clock above the counter, Tad stood up. “I gotta get to work. Will you be home for dinner? It’s my night to cook.”
“I get off at seven. Just don’t make a huge mess with your dinner preparation since it’s my night to do the dishes.”
“Got it.”
With the conversation between the two brothers finished, Tad left the diner and went to work. Spider watched him leave, concern registering on his face. Taking another sip of his coffee, Spider found himself facing a grinning Mike. “Your brother sure does spend a lot of time with Trixie lately” Mike noted.
“I’ve noticed,” replied Spider, sipping his coffee.
“What do you think about that?” asked Mike.
Spider shrugged. “They’re just friends.”
Mike laughed. “Good friends, from what I can see. It’s nice having him around town. What’s he going to do when he gets graduates?”
“He ‘s really enjoying working at the community center. They’ve offered him an assistant manager’s job.”
“Really?” asked Mike. “I can see Tad doing that type of job. Is he graduating soon?”
Spider sipped his coffee and nodded. “He wanted to add a couple of business courses before he graduated plus he had missed a few required classes due to his sports’ schedule, so that added a little more time. He should graduate after the fall term. When that shoulder injury ended his baseball playing, I wasn’t sure what he was going to do. But he seems to have found a good niche at the community center.”
“It’s nice to see him doing well and staying here in Sleepyside.”
Spider nodded. “I agree.”
“And that way he can see more of Trixie,” teased Mike.
“I told you, they’re friends.”
“But can you imagine the trouble those two could get into?” speculated Mike.
Spider groaned. “Don’t remind me When I think about the possibilities, it makes my head explode.” Spider shoved his coffee cup across the counter and stood up to leave. “I gotta go, thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya, Spider. And take it easy on those thoughts. Wouldn’t want you to have to clean up the mess from your exploding brain.”
Spider walked out the door, closing it loudly behind him. As he walked away, he could still hear Mike laughing inside the diner.
Worse, Yet!
Pulling into the tree lined driveway of Crabapple Farm a week later, Tad realized that his mouth had begun to water in anticipation of what goodie Trixie would bring with her that morning. He watched as she came out of the back door and walked toward his car. He noted that the usual bounce in her step was missing as was a freshly baked item wrapped in a napkin. “Hey,” said Tad as Trixie slid into his car.
“‘Hey,” answered Trixie as she slumped down in her seat, forgetting to put on her seatbelt.
“Okay, now I know something is wrong.” Tad spoke as he reached across Trixie for the seat belt. Clicking it soundly, Tad looked directly into Trixie’s unhappy face, his eyebrows raised in question. “What happened?”
“I got a letter from my insurance company. They’re re-opening the investigation into that stupid car accident. That man swears I didn’t have my turn signal on. I can’t believe how this has completely turned around and now I am the one who is going to get blamed for that accident and that man will probably just get a slap on the wrist.”
“Are you sure about this?” Tad asked.
Trixie nodded. ”I got a letter in the mail yesterday. I can pretty well kiss a new car good bye. “
“Nothing is decided yet. If you said you had your turn signal on, then you did. We just have to find a way to prove it.”
Trixie turned and looked at Tad, her eyebrows raised. “Are you channeling me or something?”
Tad laughed. “No, but I guess now I know how you felt all those times you took up a cause for somebody. We just have to figure out how to prove that you did have your signal on. And since your car was totaled and is gone, we can’t even look at it to make sure the turn signal was working.” Tad paused. “I think this is a good case for the Belden Detective Agency,” he suggested.
Trixie snorted. “I haven’t solved a case in years, not since Honey went away to college. I don’t even know where I’d start.
“Yes you do. Just think about it for a while, and then we’ll figure out a plan. We will solve this mystery, I promise you that. Do you have to work today?” Tad asked, in an attempt to change the subject.
“Yes, and I have to close.”
“Do you need a ride home?”
Trixie looked startled. “‘I didn’t even think about that. I was so upset about the car and insurance situation that I didn’t even talk to my parents about picking me up after work. I have to give Moms a call.” Trixie struggled to pull her phone out of her back pocket.
“Whoa,” cautioned Tad. “I’ll be getting off work about the same time. I can give you a ride home.”
“Are you sure?” questioned Trixie. “It seems lately that all you do is drive me around. That can’t be much fun.”
“Trixie, I wouldn’t have made the offer if I didn’t want to do it,” said Tad, “So, do you want to call your mom or do you want a ride from me?”
Trixie looked at Tad. “I’ll take a ride from you, thank you. And after you drop me at the Farm, you can go home and take off your chauffeur cap.”
Tad grabbed at his chest with one hand, an exaggerated pained look on his face. “Ouch! You wound me, Trixie. Clearly I am more than a chauffeur. Have you missed my charming and amusing, not to mention debonair, manner these last couple of weeks?”
Trixie giggled. “No, your charming manner and humor and debonairness hasn’t been lost on me. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to do all this stuff for me.”
“Seriously Trixie, it’s not a problem. I always have fun with you. And let’s not forget, I have seen your evil ways on the soccer team. I will be doing all I can to stay on your good side.”
Trixie snorted. “Yeh right. But if you’re sure you want to give me a ride home, then I will again accept your offer.”
Tad swerved suddenly to avoid a squirrel that was running across the road. “That kind of driving will earn you a swell nickname in my book,” grinned Trixie as she re-positioned herself in her seat.
“Yea?” Tad questioned. “I hope it’s a good one.”
“Hmmm...how about ‘Crazy Chauffeur’?” suggested Trixie with a giggle.
“I prefer something like ‘Sexy Squirrel Saver’,” Tad retorted.
“‘Chunky Chauffeur’, from eating all those treats from Moms.”
“Nope,’ Sexy Squirrel Saver’,” insisted Tad.
“In your dreams, Webster,” joked Trixie and soon the unpleasant morning was pushed to the back of her mind as she and Tad discussed the soccer team, their classes, and anything else that would help keep Trixie’s mind off her troubles.
Later that morning, Tad and Trixie met in the student union and grabbed a quick lunch before heading back to Sleepyside and their respective jobs.
“See ya later,” waved Trixie as she jumped out of Tad’s car and headed into Ingram’s Antiques. “Mrs. Ingram, I’m here.” Trixie called out loudly.
“Oh Trixie, I’m so glad you’re here. I have been so busy all morning that I haven’t had time to straighten some of the displays. Could you help me with that?”
“Sure.” Trixie disappeared into the back room and reappeared wearing an apron with the store’s logo embroidered across the front of it.
“And please make sure to clean the disco ball thoroughly. It attracts people to this place like a flies to a good glass of bourbon.”
Trixie shook her head and smiled at her boss’s goofy analogy, and got to work. She made her way around the store, straightening the attractive displays and putting misplaced items back in their proper place. She inhaled the distinct smell of the store, a musty scent that clung to so many of the antiques; a scent that Trixie loved. She moved to the front of the store, where a huge disco ball hung in the big window. The ball was Mrs. Ingram’s pride and joy. Trixie always found it odd that a woman who was so into antiques would be totally smitten with a remnant from the seventies. Trixie carefully wiped dust off the ball and set is spinning, watching the lights play off the pieces of glass that were part of the huge orb. “That should attract shoppers,” Trixie thought with satisfaction as she walked away from the ball and continued her trek through the store. Trixie’s shift passed quickly, as was the case when she was busy, and soon it was time to lock up for the day. As Trixie exited the back door, she saw Tad’s car waiting nearby. Gratefully, she sunk into the front seat, happy to be able to give her suffering feet a rest from the hours spent on the hard floor of the antique store.
Brothers!
“See ya later,” called Trixie as she hopped out of Tad’s car, slung her backpack over one shoulder, and headed towards the house, thankful that the weekend had arrived. Running into the kitchen, she stopped abruptly when she saw her brother Brian sitting at the table. “Brian!” she squealed as she ran over to him. Brian quickly stood up and engulfed Trixie in a tight embrace.
“Let me look at you,” he said, holding Trixie away from himself. He scoured her face, looking for any signs of her recent car accident. Seeing nothing but a young, glowing woman in front of him, he hugged her again. “So, tell me what’s new?” he said as they both sat down at the table.
“Gleeps Brian, where do you want me to start. Let’s see. I go to school. I go to work. I do my chores.” Trixie giggled. “That about sums up my life.”
Brian laughed with his sister, but watched her closely. There was definitely something different about her. For the last couple of years, Trixie had been somewhat low-spirited and quiet, and was often disengaged on the rare occasions that he saw her. Today was different.
“Hey, what are you doing here and why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” demanded Trixie.
“I wanted to surprise you and Bobby,” answered Brian. “My rotation is changing so I had a few days off. I jumped at the chance to get back here for some real rest and good home cooking.”
“Well, I’m surprised. I’d think you’d want to be in the city with Honey?” remarked Trixie.
Brian shrugged. “Honey and I manage to see each other when the time allows. But I’m sure you know how busy she is right now. And neither one of us wants to hold the other back.”
“Oh.” Trixie fell silent as she thought about what Brian had said. She didn’t have a lot of contact with Honey and didn’t know the details or the state of her and Brian’s relationship. “Brian,” Trixie began hesitantly, “I don’t really know about you and Honey and where your relationship stands or doesn’t stand. I hardly ever talk to her. As you said, she is pretty busy with her life and I am busy here.” Trixie shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sure we’ll reconnect when she comes back to the Manor House.”
Brian looked surprised, remembering how upset Trixie had been when Honey had left for college. “Wow, Trixie. Honey’s absence used to leave you down in the dumps. Is there more communication now?”
Trixie shook her head. “No, we’ve both got a lot going on. By the time I think about calling or texting her, it’s too late. And in the morning, I’m either off to school or work.”
At the mention of her job, Brian leaned forward. “How is the job, Trix? I can’t believe you are working in an antique store. Hoping to find a mystery or two?”
Trixie wrinkled her nose at her brother. “Nope, the only mystery I am working on now is how to solve this stupid situation from my car accident. I swear I had my signal on, but the bozo who hit me says no. Now the insurance company is balking at paying for my car.” Trixie flopped back in her chair.
“Have no fear, little sister. Somehow, you always come out on top, no matter how scary or dangerous the road is.”
The two continued to chat while Trixie got up and poured two glasses of milk and grabbed the full cookie jar.
“Beep! Beep!”
Trixie and Brian looked at each other, puzzled, as they heard a car honking in the driveway. “Who’s that?’ Trixie asked. Seconds later, the question was answered when they heard Mart’s voice call out. “Hey, anybody home?”
Trixie and Brian jumped up and ran outside to greet their brother. Trixie hugged Mart, then Brian did the same.
“What are you doing here?” demanded Trixie.
“Ouch,” gasped Mart. “Nice welcome, younger female sibling. Am I correct in assuming that I still have residential privileges at the old homestead?”
Trixie rolled her eyes. “Yeh, yeh, you still live here.”
“Good.” Mart grabbed his bag from the backseat of his car. “I thought I would surprise Moms with an impromptu visit”
“Well, whatever it is, it’s nice to see you, even though it’s only been a couple of weeks since you were last home.” Wrapping her arms around both of her brothers, the three made their way back into the house. Trixie poured a third glass of milk and the three clustered around the kitchen table where they munched on freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and caught up on each others’ lives in a rapidly flowing conversation. Suddenly, Trixie jumped up from the table. “Uh-oh, I’ve got to hurry or I’m going to be late.” she said as she thundered up the stairs to her room.
Brian watched his sister’s disappearing back. Looking at Mart, Brian asked, “What did I say? And where’s she going?”
Mart shrugged his shoulders then rolled his eyes as the sounds of thumping and slamming could be heard overhead. A few minutes later, Trixie’s footsteps pounded back down the stairs. Brian and Mart watched as Trixie hustled around the kitchen, grabbing bottles of water, some fruit, and cookies. Trixie’s whirlwind of activity was interrupted by the sound of a knock at the back door. Brian watched as Trixie lunged at the door, pulling it open, a big smile crossing her face. “Come in. Let me grab my stuff.” Trixie stepped back and Tad entered the kitchen. As Trixie ran from the room to grab the rest of her gear, Tad saw Brian and Mart sitting at the kitchen table.
“Hey Brian,” said Tad as he strode over to Brian and held out his hand. “It’s good to see you. How is the field of medicine treating you?”
Brian stood and accepted Tad’s outstretched hand. But before he could answer, Trixie zipped back into the kitchen, a duffel bag slung over her shoulder and a pair of soccer cleats in her hand. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.” She gave Brian a quick kiss and lightly smacked the top of Mart’s head, stuffed the water and food into her bag, and dashed out the door. Tad shrugged at the brothers then quickly followed Trixie. As soon as Brian heard Tad’s car doors slam shut, he jumped up from his chair and went to the window. Craning his neck, he could just barely see the two as they settled themselves and fastened their seatbelts. He watched as Tad backed his car down the long driveway and then disappeared in a cloud of dust. Once the two were out of sight, Brian whipped around to face Mart. “Okay brother, catch me up. What was that?”
Mart, carefully licking cookie crumbs off his fingers, replied, “That was Tad Webster. Surely you remember him.”
“Ahem!” Brian cleared his throat loudly and stared at his younger brother.
“Fine. Trixie and Tad hang out together, and they hang out a lot. He got her to play on his soccer team and she loves it. If they aren’t playing a game, they are practicing and if they aren’t practicing, then they are doing something else. He’s been driving Trixie back and forth to school since her accident. He also drives her back and forth to work, if his schedule allows it. “
Brian stared at Mart. His eyes drifted to the chair where his sister had sat and chatted, her conversation sprinkled with all the enthusiasm and silliness that it had before the Bob-Whites went on their separate ways to college. “Interesting,” thought Brian as he finished his cookie and began clearing away his sister’s dishes.
Dinner was a loud affair that night. Bobby vied for both his brothers’ attention by creating all sorts of havoc at the table. Once dinner was over, the Beldens retired to the family room where they pulled out the Trivial Pursuit game. In between questions from the game, Brian shared his experiences from his medical rotation and Mart announced that he had written a short story and was trying to get it published in a literary magazine. Trixie listened, feeling pride for her brothers. The board game ended and quiet conversation drifted around the room. Trixie wanted to hear everything her brothers had to say, but was soon yawning so wide that she thought her jaws would pop out of place. “Sorry guys. I would love to stay up with you, but I’m whipped.” She stood up, kissed her parents and brothers and trotted up to bed where she snuggled under her covers, a feeling of contentment spreading through her.
The next morning, Brian was sitting at the table, relishing the feel of a lazy day. The calmness was broken by Trixie’s rushing in. Opening the refrigerator, she grabbed a few items and threw them into a paper sack.
“Where are you going?” questioned Brian.
“Work. Hey, why don’t you stop in today and I can show you the store. Plus, I can introduce you to Mrs. Ingram. She’s a real hoot.” Trixie looked around. “Where’s Moms. She said she would take me to work.”
Brian stood up. “Your chariot awaits you,” he said as he bowed to his sister.
Trixie beamed in delight when she realized that Brian would be the one who would be taking her to work that morning. She ran back into the living room to yell upstairs to inform Moms of the change in plans. “Oh yay, time for the two of us,” she said happily as they went out the door. Driving down Glen Road, Trixie and Brian noted and commented on the changes that had occurred since Brian had left and gone to college, and then on to his medical career. Brian drove into town and to the back of the antique store where he dropped Trixie.
“Thanks for the ride. See you later.” Trixie waved as Brian turned the car around and headed back to the farm. Trixie entered through the rear door where she found Mrs. Ingram preparing for a day of business.
“Good morning, Trixie. Are you ready for a busy Saturday?”
“Good morning, Mrs. Ingram. I’m ready.”
Trixie grabbed her work apron and tied it over her jeans and shirt. She hustled out front and began going through the opening procedures of turning on the lights and counting out the money in the cash register. Once the store opened, Trixie stayed busy, pausing just long enough to eat the lunch that she had put together earlier at the farm. At one point, Brian did stop in and Trixie rushed to introduce him to Mrs. Ingram.
“Oh my,” exclaimed Mrs. Ingram as she pulled her glasses off the top of her head and perched them on the bridge of her nose. “You don’t look like Trixie. But you sure look like that handsome devil of a father. Such a hottie!” Brian blushed while Trixie shook her head, her eyes rolling in amusement. After listening to Mrs. Ingram extol the virtues of Trixie, Brian promised to make a return visit to the store. As he left, groups of weekend visitors entered and Trixie and Mrs. Ingram remained busy for the rest of the day.
“Whew!” exhaled Mrs. Ingram. “I can’t believe how busy we’ve been today. My dear, you are worth your weight in gold to me. Nobody could do the job that you do.” Mrs. Ingram reached across the counter, grabbed a book and began fanning herself. Trixie calmly reached out and removed the book from Mrs. Ingram’s hands and put it back on the counter.
“Mrs. Ingram, why don’t you go in the back and get a cool drink and sit down for a bit. I think that is preferable to you fanning yourself with an original Bobbsey Twins book, although I’m sure those twins would love to help you.”
Mrs. Ingram looked at the book then back at Trixie. With a quick smile, she left the front counter and headed to the back of the store. “Like I said, you are worth your weight in gold, my dear,” she called back over her shoulder.
Chuckling at the antics of her boss Trixie began tidying up the store.
She made sure to turn on the spotlight that would illuminate the disco ball all night long. The bell over the door tinkled as another customer entered. Trixie plastered a smile on her face. The smile grew when she saw that the customer was Tad.
“Hey Trixie. Are you about done for the day?”
“We still have another hour left. Are you done with your shift?”
“Yeh, I didn’t know if you needed a ride home or not.”
Trixie paused and considered the question. “Hmmm...I’m not sure. Brian dropped me off but he didn’t say anything about picking me up. Let me call home.”
While Trixie placed a quick call to her mom, Tad wandered around the store.
“Hey Tad,” Trixie called out. “Are you able to give me a lift home?”
“Sure,” yelled Tad as he perused a showcase full of old political buttons.
Trixie finished her conversation with her mom and went in search of Tad. She found him, face pressed against the top of a glass showcase as he read the old campaign slogans. “Thanks a lot Webster,” Trixie sighed. “Now I will have to clean the top of that cabinet. Sheesh!” Trixie grinned at Tad as she shoved him out of her way so she could wipe the glass clean.
“Did you know you have Nixon/Agnew buttons in there?”
“Yes, I resigned myself to that fact a long time ago.”
Tad looked at Trixie’s coy expression and burst out laughing. “Haha. Very funny, Belden.”
“Yeh? Well, I’m no crook!” giggled Trixie as she sauntered to the front of the store and put away her cleaning supplies.
The remainder of the weekend passed too quickly for Trixie. She loved having her brothers home again, even though Mart rarely missed an opportunity to needle her. Sunday afternoon rolled around and both young men, after many hugs and kisses, got into their cars and returned to their studies and jobs. Trixie wandered upstairs to the privacy of her room where she opened the books that had safely stayed out of sight in her backpack all weekend. She found the quietness of the farm disturbing and it affected her ability to concentrate on her astronomy. Shutting that textbook, Trixie rummaged around in her backpack until she found her copy of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” Settling back on her bed, Trixie soon lost herself among the odd characters and their adventures as they made their way through space.