Part III
Flash
“So Trixie, have you heard any more from the insurance company?”
Trixie nodded. “And I got a letter in the mail yesterday from our delightful Sleepyside P.D. citing me for failure to use my turn signal.”
Tad sighed. He and Spider had argued about that prospect several times, but ultimately Tad knew that Spider really couldn’t do anything about it.
“And,” Trixie went on, “the insurance company for the guy who hit me is refusing to pay to replace my car. I don’t understand it. He was drunk. He even got a DUI, but I am responsible for him hitting me?” Trixie stomped her foot on the floor of the car. “It’s not fair!” Folding her arms defiantly across her chest, Trixie slumped back in her seat and stared out the car window.
Tad racked his brain to say something that would offer encouragement to Trixie, but he couldn’t think of anything. The silence filled the car, broken only by the sounds of the passing vehicles on the opposite side of the road. As Tad pulled into a parking space at school, he glanced at Trixie. He could see her unhappy and frustrated face.
“Hey,” he said softly, “After school, let’s stop at Wimpy’s. We haven’t been there in a while and I am really missing a good burger.”
Trixie shrugged her shoulders. “Fine,” she muttered. She grabbed her backpack from the floor of the car and exited the vehicle, slamming the door behind her.
Wincing, Tad fell in behind Trixie as the two made their way to their classes. Before going their separate ways, Tad grabbed Trixie’s arm and turned her around to face him. “Try not to think about the car situation, Trixie. Just focus on that delicious, hot hamburger that you’re going to have for lunch. And if you do good work in school and listen to your teachers, I may even buy you a milkshake,” said Tad, winking.
Trixie eyed Tad, then gave him a grateful smile. Standing on her tiptoes to give him a hug, she whispered into his ear, “Thank you. And I promise, I’ll listen real good because I am in the mood for a big strawberry shake.”
Tad was happy to see a brighter Trixie walk away from him as she went to her class. “I just wish I knew how to solve this,” he thought as he entered his own class.
Trixie was more than ready for lunch at Wimpy’s by the time she was through with her classes. She raced Tad to his car, then jumped in gleefully.
“Ha! You lose and I listened really well so I get a big strawberry shake today.”
Tad slid behind the wheel, relieved at the complete change in Trixie’s frame of mind.
“A giant strawberry shake it is,” he said as he backed out of the parking space and headed back to Sleepyside for a delicious lunch. The two rode along, with Tad questioning Trixie about her psychology class and giving her hints and tips for her upcoming test. Tad continued into Sleepyside and down Main Street. As he passed Ingram’s Antiques, Trixie noted that Mrs. Ingram was performing her favorite task, polishing the disco ball.
“Maybe she was a disco queen and that’s why she likes it so much,” muttered Trixie to herself.
“What did you say?” asked Tad.
“Tad, look out!” yelled Trixie.
Tad slammed on his brakes, narrowly missing a car that was stopped in front of him.
“I assume that driver is turning left.” growled Tad.
“Of course he is. Can’t you see his turn signal?” asked Trixie.
“I can’t see what isn’t there,” responded Tad.
“What are you talking about. He has his turn signal on,” argued Trixie. “Look, you can see it as he is turning.”
Tad shook his head. “No, I didn’t see it. Maybe he just flipped it on?”
“Tad,” Trixie pointed out. “He had it on. I could see it as we drove down the street.”
“I’m telling you, Trixie, he didn’t have it on. It just looked like a car moving in front of me.”
Tad continued to drive down the street as Trixie twisted around in her seat to watch behind her. “Wait a minute, Tad. That man turned onto Millbrook Lane, just like I did the day of my accident. And even though I saw his turn signal, you could swear that you didn’t. In fact, you might believe that he didn’t even use it. Why is that?”
Tad made an abrupt lane change and then an immediate right turn. He drove around the block and pulled back onto Main Street a few blocks before Millbrook Lane. “Okay, I’m going to drive down here again. Keep your eyes open for anything odd,” directed Tad.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Just keep your eyes open.”
Trixie watched both sides of the street while Tad drove. As he neared Millbrook Lane, he carefully watched the car in front of him. “Whoa!” he called out.
“What?” demanded Trixie. “Did you see something?”
“Not really, but the car in front of me was showing brake lights, then all of a sudden, they were gone.”
“Pull over,” ordered Trixie.
Tad pulled over and parked along the street. He and Trixie got out of his car and walked toward the intersection.
“Gleeps!” yelled Trixie as she suddenly shielded her eyes.
“What happened?” asked Tad.
“I just got blinded by. . .” Trixie looked around to see what had sent a sharp beam of light into her eyes. “That’s it!” she gasped, pointing to the glittering disco ball that was beaming from the window of Ingram’s Antiques. “It’s the disco ball. All those little mirrors are reflecting so much light that it outshines the brake lights and the turn signals on the cars.”
Tad looked at the giant orb and then at his friend.
“Come on, let’s go test your theory.” he said, grabbing her hand and walking along the street. The two chose a spot near the location of Trixie’s accident and watched the rear lights of the passing vehicles.
“Trixie, you are right. I can see the front turn signal on this car, but the back doesn’t appear to be lit. Wait a minute, let me see what happens when she moves forward a bit.” Tad watched as the woman in the car that he was watching began to inch forward. As the car moved out of the ray of light from the mirrored ball, the turn signal appeared.
“You’ve done it,” Tad yelled as he hugged Trixie. “You did solve your mystery. Everytime the sun hits the disco ball, the reflection from the mirror pieces eclipses the lights of the cars. You have to be in the right spot, but if you are, then that is what happens. That man in front of me had his turn signal on, but I couldn’t see it and you had your turn signal on, but the man that hit you didn’t see it. Do you know what this means?”
Trixie nodded happily. “Yes, I might get out of my traffic ticket and I might be able to get the insurance company to cough up the money to replace my old car. And.” Trixie held up her index finger,” it shows us that disco really is bad.”
“That’s true. But more importantly Belden,” Tad crowed. “You solved this case. I knew you could do it. Let’s go find Spider.”
Tad grabbed Trixie’s hand and the two ran back to his car. Slamming the doors behind them, they drove to Wimpy’s in search of Spider, a hot delicious burger and a big strawberry shake.
“Mmmm,” Trixie swallowed the bite of hamburger appreciatively. “Why does this taste so good today,” she wondered aloud.
“Could it be that your problems are finally going to be resolved,” Tad paused, “or maybe it’s the company.”
Trixie’s responded to Tad’s wink with a wink of her own. “Hmm...I’ll let you know after I finish my giant shake.”
Tad laughed, then sat up suddenly. “There’s Spider.”
Trixie turned in her seat and watched as Spider walked into the diner in search of his lunch. “Let’s go tell him what we learned,” said Trixie as she began to slide out of her booth seat.
“Wait a minute, Trixie.” suggested Tad.
Trixie looked at Tad, her face registering confusion. “Why are we waiting?”
“Once Spider orders, then we can call him over. I think we should talk about this in private.”
Trixie acquiesced to Tad’s suggestion, but she tapped her foot impatiently on the floor beneath the booth.
Tad watched his brother and noted when Spider was done ordering his lunch. “Hey Spider,” he yelled out across the diner. “Can you come over here for a minute?”
Spider picked up his coke that Mike had placed on the counter and walked over to the booth that Trixie and Tad were sharing. “What’s up Tad?” he asked as he stood over the two.
“Trix, slide over so Spider can sit down.” Trixie slid across the bench, making room for the police officer. Spider sat down, across from his brother.
“Is everything alright?” asked Spider, suddenly feeling concerned for his brother.
“Oh yeah, everything is fine. And, Trixie and I solved the mystery of her turn signal. She did have it on. The other driver didn’t see it due to the glare from that disco ball that hangs in the window at Ingram’s Antiques,” Tad announced.
Spider looked between his brother and Trixie. Shaking his head, he groaned aloud. “Great. Now my brother is into solving mysteries. I should have known this would happen.”
“Spider, just listen to us, please?” requested Trixie. Spider could see that she was anxious to share whatever information she had so he adjusted his position so he could face Trixie as she explained what she and Tad had learned.
Trixie inhaled and then, as slowly and succinctly as possible, she recounted what she and Tad had experienced while driving down Main Street that day and how the big disco ball that hung in the window of Ingram’s Antiques affected what they were seeing while driving.
“Are you sure about this?” Spider asked Tad. “Did you really lose sight of the other driver’s turn signal due to a reflection from the disco ball?”
Tad nodded and explained how he and Trixie had stood at the intersection of Millbrook Lane and Main Street and monitored the passing traffic. Tad affirmed that, at times, the reflection from the disco ball eclipsed brake lights and turn signals of cars that were caught in its glare. Spider looked up as Mike slid a plate of hamburger and fries in front of him. Spider picked up a french fry and chewed it as he listened to Trixie and Tad.
“So, what do you think?” asked Trixie when she was done with the explanation. “Can you cancel that stupid traffic ticket now and tell that other driver that he was at fault?”
Spider carefully stacked the lettuce and tomato that lay on his plate on the top of his meat patty. “That would be nice if I could do that, Trixie, but I need a little more to go on than just this theory.”
A look of disbelief crossed Trixie’s face. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m telling you, just like I have said all along, that I did have my turn signal on. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Wait a minute Spider. Why don’t we prove it to you,” suggested Tad.
“How are you going to do that?” asked Spider.
“Tomorrow, you and I will follow Trixie down Main Street, at the exact same time we were driving down the street today. She can make a left turn, using her signal. You’ll see how the turn signal disappears and reappears. After that, will you believe her?”
“Okay you two, we can do that tomorrow. It will allow you to prove this theory. Let’s meet at noon at the corner of Main Street and Ruby Alley. I’ll follow Trixie down the street. Tad, you can ride with me as an additional witness.”
“Yay!” Trixie clapped her hands together. “You’ll see Spider, And I bet, by this time tomorrow, we will be on the way to closing the books on this accident.”
Spider looked at the happy face of Trixie next to him, and the mesmerized face of his brother across from him. “Oh yeh, this had better turn out the way he wants it to or I may never hear the end of it,” thought Spider as he took a big bite of his juicy sandwich.
The next day, promptly at twelve o’clock, Trixie climbed into Tad’s car, adjusted the seat and prepared to drive down Main Street while Tad sat in the police cruiser with Spider. Spider gave a quick beep of the horn and Trixie started the car and pulled out into the traffic with Spider driving directly behind her, his eyes focused on the back lights of Tad’s car. He saw her turn signal begin flashing as Trixie prepared to turn left onto Millbrook Lane. Tad jumped suddenly beside him. “Did you see that?” he asked. “Did you see that flash?”
Before Spider could answer, he saw the flash of light across the back of Trixie’s car and then the disappearance of her turn signal. As the two cars continued down the street, Trixie drove into the shadow of a building and the blinking light reappeared. As she drove back into the sunlight and the reflection of the disco ball, the signal disappeared again. Trixie made her left turn and parked Tad’s car. She was anxiously pacing along the sidewalk as she waited for Spider and Tad to catch up with her.
“Well,” she said excitedly as Spider pulled up behind Tad’s car. “What did you see? Did my turn signal disappear?” Trixie’s questions ran together in an excited jumble.
Spider and Tad exited the cruiser. Tad walked over to Trixie. “It happened again. The reflection from the disco ball eclipsed your turn signal.”
“So you did see it, right Spider?”
Spider wanted to tease Trixie a little bit more, wanted to drag out the suspense, but he didn’t have the heart to. “Yes,” he answered. “It happened exactly the way you two said it did. I will write this up and call the other driver. I believe you had your turn signal on and you have shown me why the other driver might not have seen it. As far as I’m concerned, this case is over and closed and the man who hit you is solely at fault.”
“Yay!” yelled Trixie as she threw herself into Tad’s arms. “And thank you, Tad. You’re the one who noticed the problem with the mirrors on the disco ball and the reflected sunlight.”
Tad returned the enthusiastic hug. “Actually Trixie,” he corrected, “we both noticed it, but in different ways.”
“I’m so excited. Maybe now I can get a new car.” exclaimed Trixie.
Spider watched the two kids, noting their affection for each other. Shaking his head at his younger brother, he admonished Tad. “Yeh, you two solved this one. But don’t think that you can go into business with Miss Belden. This town will never survive a partnership like that.” Winking at Trixie, Spider climbed into his cruiser and drove away, impressed with the work that had been done by his younger brother and his friend.
A Bright Idea
Later that afternoon, a happy Trixie entered the back door of Ingram’s Antiques. She donned her work apron and went in search of the store’s owner.
“Hello Trixie,” Mrs. Ingram chirped when she saw the curly blond hurrying through the store. “You look like you have something on your mind today. Care to share, honey?” she asked.
Trixie nodded her head, then stopped. How was she going to tell Mrs. Ingram that the beloved disco ball was the cause of Trixie’s accident. As in her younger days, Trixie desperately wished for the gift of tact. Taking a deep breath, Trixie decided to dive in and discuss with Mrs. Ingram the need to move the attractive nuisance.
“Mrs. Ingram, Tad and I determined what caused my accident today.”
“Today!” gasped Mrs. Ingram. “You had another accident today?”
“No, I ‘m talking about the one I had several weeks ago.”
Mrs. Ingram frowned. “I thought somebody hit you, dear. Is that not correct?”
“Yes,” Trixie nodded. “Somebody did hit me. And he had been drinking. But he also may have been temporarily blinded and that is why he didn’t see my turn signal which resulted in the crash.”
“Did the alcohol blind him?” asked Mrs. Ingram, thoroughly confused.
Trixie choked back a laugh. “No, I’m afraid it was the disco ball you have hanging in the front window. You see, it seems that around noon, that ball catches and reflects light, which eclipses brake lights and turn signals of the cars on the street that get caught in it’s glare.”
“Oh,” responded Mrs. Ingram, as she turned and looked at her beloved relic. She scratched her cheek thoughtfully as she stared at the glittering ball, noting how it gently turned its special niche in the front window.
“I’m sorry to tell you this,” continued Trixie. “I know how you love that ball and that it’s a great attention grabber for the store. But it’s also creating problems outside the store.”
“Well, I guess I’ll have to move it.” said Mrs. Ingram slowly.
Trixie stared at the ball. She knew that Mrs. Ingram didn’t want to move it. If only they could think of a way to keep it in the window, but also eliminate the problems it was causing. “Let’s think about this for a while,” suggested Trixie. The grateful look that appeared on Mrs. Ingram’s face didn’t escape Trixie. The two wandered away from the window and began quietly working around the store.
“Oh Trixie, there’s a box of old china in the back that need to be unpacked. Would you mind doing that for me?”
“Sure thing.”
Trixie went into the back room and, looking around, spied the box that needed her attention. She began taking out old , dusty pieces of china, piling them on the nearby table. Emptying the box, Trixie smashed it, planning on taking it out back to the recycling bin. Trixie hefted the box under her arm and went out the back door and over to the big bin. Standing on her tiptoes, Trixie was just about to heave the box into the bin when she noticed a wadded up pile of old screening. Trixie stopped and looked at the old screening, an idea forming in her mind. She quickly grabbed the wadded heap then she tossed in her empty box. Running back into the store, Trixie excitedly called out to her boss. “Hey Mrs. Ingram. I have an idea!”
“Oh dear,” said Mrs. Ingram. “Do we have another problem?”
“No. But look. I found this pile of old screening material in the recycling bin.”
“Oh yes, I threw that away earlier. It came off of a bunch of old window frames. Should that not go in the recycling bin?” she asked.
“No. I mean, yes, it can go in the bin. But no, we don’t have another problem. But what if we used this type screening material to put in the front window. We could get screen shades that we would pull down during the morning and noon hours, then raise it for the rest of the day. That way, you could keep your disco ball in the window, but we would eliminate the hazard that it is creating.”
“My dear, I think you have hit on a wonderful idea. I’ll just pop over to the hardware store right now and see about purchasing some roll-up screens.”
Imogene Ingram was ready to go to the hardware store when a van carrying four women pulled up in front of the antique shop. Once inside, the women immediately began oohing and ahhing over the shop and its contents. Mrs. Ingram shot Trixie a pleading look. Understanding the look, Trixie quickly untied her apron and scurried out of the store and went directly to the hardware store. After talking with the clerk, Trixie found a wide roll-up screen. Hoisting the screen up onto her shoulder, Trixie walked through the aisles toward the cashier. She stopped, distracted by a small display of spotlights and the various colored light bulbs that were stacked next to it. With a clear idea of how to use them, Trixie grabbed several spotlights plus a selection of the colored bulbs and went to the register to pay. Hurrying back to the antique store, Trixie laid her purchases on the table in the back, re-tied her apron, and went out front. She smiled to herself as she listened to Mrs. Ingram talk enthusiastically about the various antiques in the store to her small group of admiring women. After the group of women left the store, Mrs Ingram went in search of Trixie. She found her scrambling around the floor underneath the front window, hiding electrical cords and setting up the spotlights.
“Trixie, dear, did you lose something?” Mrs. Ingram called out.
“Nope,” answered Trixie as her body disappeared under a table.
“Well then, what are you doing? You don’t usually clean this thoroughly.”
“Oh, Mrs. Ingram. I got the best idea when I was in the hardware store. Look at this?” Trixie adjusted the timer that was connected to the spotlights and the disco ball suddenly became bathed in pink, blue and green lights. As the ball turned slowly, it sparkled with the different colors directed on it. “This will be for the evening hours,” Trixie pointed out, excitedly.
Mrs. Ingram watched in fascination as her disco ball glowed different colors as it spun gently in its’ nook. Clapping her hands, she cried out, “Oh Trixie. This is so perfect. You’re such a clever girl. I had it spotlighted, but never thought of having it spotlighted with different colored bulbs.”
Trixie looked up at the glittery orb . “I just thought we needed to change our game a little since we’ll have to have this shaded during part of the day. And look, Mrs. Ingram, I put the lights on timers so we never have to think about it. We just have to remember to pull that shade down between ten o’clock and two o’clock.”
“You know Trixie, I’ll just set a timer at the register so we don’t even have to worry about remembering it.”
“That would certainly make things easier for this brain of mine,” Said Trixie cheekily.
“Indeed, mine too,” agreed Mrs. Ingram as the two watched the window display a bit longer before returning to their work around the shop.
Paybacks Are Good
As Tad pulled his car into the driveway of Crabapple Farm a few days later, he was surprised to see Trixie standing there, backpack on the ground and a wrapped goodie in her hand.
“Am I late?” he asked as Trixie hopped in the car.
“Nope. I was just too excited to wait in the house. Look!” Trixie thrust a paper into Tad’s hand.
Tad read the paper quickly, a grin spreading across his face. “Good for you, Trixie. Your traffic citation has been voided.”
“Now, look at this letter,” she said excitedly.
Tad scanned the next letter, a bigger smile forming on his face. “You got your insurance money. Now we can go shopping for your car.”
“Yep,” chirped Trixie. “And here is your blueberry muffin. It is straight from the oven.”
Tad handed the letters back to Trixie and she put them into her backpack. The rest of the ride was spent discussing their schedules and when they could get together to look for a car. Tad promised to take Trixie into White Plains over the weekend so she could have a wider selection of vehicles from which to shop.
Saturday afternoon found Trixie excitedly hopping from car to car as she sat in the drivers’ seats, trying them out.
“I really like this one,” she exclaimed happily as she stepped out of a silvery blue Mazda with a sunroof.
“I think it’s a good car,” agreed Tad. The two stood and looked at the gleaming vehicle that was parked in the car lot. But as they stood, a sadness came over them. The realization that once Trixie had her own car, the days of the two carpooling back and forth to school would be over. The silence deepened between them.
Trixie looked up at Tad. “If you think this is a good car, then I guess I’ll have my Dad take a look, just to appease him.”
Tad nodded, his expression thoughtful. Suddenly, he ran around the car and jumped into the passenger seat.
“What are you doing?” asked Trixie.
“I have a joke for you,” answered Tad.
“What?”
“A joke. Ready? Knock! Knock!”
“Tad, what are you doing?”
“Work with me Belden. Let’s try it again. Knock! Knock!”
Trixie’s brows were furrowed as she responded. “Who’s there?”
“You oh.”
“You oh who?”
“You owe me about thirty rides to school, at least by my calculations, and I aim to collect.”
Trixie thought for a moment, then grinned as she understood the meaning behind Tad’s joke. “Hmm...thirty rides? You’ll be done with school before you get all those.”
“Guess you’ll just have to drive me around town then,” said Tad.
“Deal!” said Trixie as she looked at the handsome man packed neatly into the front seat of the car she hoped to purchase. “And what goodies will I get when I drive?” teased Trixie.
“I guess you’ll find out when you pick me up?” replied Tad as he winked at his blond friend, enjoying the eyeroll and giggle he got in return. “And don’t forget that we have a tournament game tomorrow. Were you able to get off work a little early?”
Trixie nodded. “Yep, I’ll be there. Uh, can I have a ride?”
“Sure thing, Belden. Will you return the favor?”
“You can count on it, Webster.”
Later that afternoon Tad dropped Trixie at the farm. Moms came out to the car, catching Tad before he drove away.
“Tad, we were going to grill out chicken tonight. Would you and Spider like to join us?” she asked
“Thanks Mrs. Belden, but Spider has a date tonight. However, I would love to stay and have some of your chicken. It smells delicious from here.”
Tad turned off his car and he, Trixie, and Moms walked to the terrace, where they found Peter working the grill. The nearby table was set with colorful plates and a big bowl of potato salad.
“What can I do to help,” asked Tad as he sniffed the air appreciatively.
“Not a thing,” replied Moms. “You are our guest tonight. Sit down. Would you like some iced tea?”
Tad eagerly accepted the cool drink and chatted with Mr. Belden, who was busy slathering barbeque sauce on the chicken. “I think Trixie found a good car today. I checked with the salesman, and they’ll let you take it to your own mechanic to have it checked out before she buys it.”
Peter turned, the giant spatula still in his hand. “I really appreciate you taking Trixie out to look at cars, Tad. Out of curiosity, how many did she look at?”
Tad caught the twinkle in Peter Belden’s eye and knew what he was thinking. “Oh,” Tad answered, “I would guess she looked at three or five or fifty.”
Peter laughed and turned back to the chicken on the grill. “And that’s why I really appreciate you taking her out. I remember taking her out for her other car. She found one that she thought was perfect, but then she’d see another one, then another one and then another one. She could go on like that for hours.”
Tad smiled. “I didn’t mind. It was nice to see her so excited after all the trouble she has had with this situation.”
Peter smiled and then changed the subject to baseball. Trixie traipsed back and forth between the kitchen and the terrace, bringing out some freshly baked rolls and and the rest of the dishes for the table. When the chicken was done, the four sat down and enjoyed the meal.
“Tad,” said Mrs. Belden as she sat her glass of iced tea on the table. “I hope I’m not being rude, but I have always been curious about your name. Is ‘Tad’ your real name?”
Tad shook his head. “No, my full name is Thaddeus. My mom wanted to call me Thad, but I was born a bit early and was kinda small. So ‘Thad’ became ‘Tad’ because, as my mom used to say, ‘I was a little tad of a thing’.”
Trixie watched Tad as he talked. She laughed when he explained his real name.
“Well then,” continued Moms, “what is Spider's real name? I assume it isn’t ‘Spider’”
“No, his real name is Leviticus.”
Tad looked at Trixie as her gasp turned into a choking noise. “Are you alright?’ he asked.
Trixie nodded, her eyes wide and her mouth open. “Leviticus! That is way worse than Beatrix. And I thought ‘Thaddeus’ was bad.” Trixie giggled at her friend.
“Yeh, my parents were into weird names for their kids. They got the names straight out of the bible, but I think they had to look really hard to find the two that were so difficult to spell. When Spider and I were little, we knew how angry she was based on the names she called us.” Tad took a sip of his iced tea, then continued. “ I remember this one day, Spider and I took our shoe laces out of our shoes and tied them to our GI Joe action figures. Then we tossed them out the open bedroom window, pretending that the figures were bungee jumping. I guess they fell past the kitchen window below. All of sudden, we heard our mom yell, ‘Tad and Spider.’ We didn’t exactly run downstairs so she called us again, using the names ‘Thad and Levi.’ We must have ignored her because the next thing we heard was her yelling, ‘Thaddeus and Leviticus’. That’s when we knew we were in big trouble. Of course, Spider was 8 years older than me, so he really took the brunt of it. I had to go to time-out but Spider was grounded to the house for two days.” Tad shook his head and grinned. “We must have really driven our mom crazy at times.”
Moms reached out and patted Tad’s arm. “I’m sure you did, but she loved you nonetheless.”
Tad chuckled. “Most of the time, she did.”
Trixie laid her fork down and sighed dramatically, “All I can say is that I will never be able to look at Spider the same way again. On the other hand, are you still interested in bungee jumping, Tad?”
Before Tad could answer, Peter and Helen chimed in together, “No!”
“I was just asking,” muttered Trixie as she took a bite of the grilled chicken.
The pleasant dinner continued with the Beldens and Tad sharing stories and getting to know each other better. After dinner, Trixie walked Tad out to his car. Helen and Peter watched the two from where they still sat at the table on the terrace.
“Interesting,” murmured Peter.
“What?” asked Helen. “Trixie and Tad?”
“No, Spider’s real name is Leviticus.”
After the soccer game the next day, the triumphant team met for a celebration with beer and pizza at a local pizzeria.
“We have our final game next week,” announced Tad. “If you can’t make it, let me know now. We’re going to need everybody to be there.”
Voices rang out from the various team members who assured Tad that they would be present for the championship game the following week. Trixie looked forward to the game as well as the next week. After struggling for the last few years with the loneliness and frustration that had surrounded her, Trixie found herself enjoying her new job and her new group of friends with new activities. She had resolved the issue with her traffic citation so her record still remained squeaky clean and she would soon be able to purchase a replacement vehicle. Enjoying the celebratory pizza with her soccer team only added to her feeling of happiness; she loved being part of the loud, raucous group that liked to have fun together. But the best part was being such good friends with Tad. Trixie recognized that he had struggled with his own disappointments and had chosen to rise above them, and, in the process, had found a solid niche in his hometown. She liked the feeling of being crushed up against Tad as they sat in the booth. A smile formed on her face as she realized that her world was once again becoming “perfectly perfect”.
Sitting in the booth next to Trixie, Tad relaxed, happy and secure, as he listened to her laughing and joking with the other team members. As Tad looked down at the blonde tousled curls, Trixie suddenly looked up at him, her blue eyes bright and shining, her face animated. Tad smiled to himself as he realized that his world, after a long struggle, had finally righted itself and he embraced the journey that was spreading out in front of him.
“To the win,” called out a teammate.
Everybody raised a glass, clinking them as the glasses met together in the middle of the table.
Tad’s brown eyes caught and held Trixie’s sapphire ones. “To the win and more,” he said as the two friends raised their glasses.