New York City
April 30, the day before Trixie Belden's twenty-first birthday
Trixie Belden stared out the window of her dorm room, pulling at the curls of hair that had escaped from her scrunchie and were falling onto her face. "Why does the semester have to end at the most gorgeous time of year--and why do I have to have my birthday in the midst of finals?" She moaned to her roommate and best friend, Honey Wheeler. "I can't concentrate."
"Just block out the distractions and before you know it the semester will be over and we'll both be off to..." Honey started to say when someone pounded on the door to the room.
"Who's there?" Honey called as she got up from her desk.
"At least one of you..." replied her adopted brother Jim Frayne.
"JIM!" Honey yelled as she threw open the door and hugged the handsome red-haired young man standing in the doorway.
As Jim and Honey hugged and Honey talked excitedly, Trixie remained sitting on her bed, waiting for--or possibly fearing--what might happen next. Finally, Jim turned to her and, after what seemed to be an eternity of silent staring, asked if they could talk.
"Of course." Trixie replied in a serious tone as she pulled on her shoes. "Why don't we go for a walk?"
Honey looked at her roommate inquisitively, but Trixie ignored her as she and Jim left the room.
"Are you here to surprise me for my birthday?" Trixie asked as sweetly as possible as Jim held open the dormitory door for her and they walked out onto the campus. Trixie's twenty-first birthday was the next day.
His only reply was a snort. It was apparent that Jim was attempting to control his infamous temper. Trixie knew what was upsetting him, but she wasn't about to be the first to bring it up.
"Isn't this an absolutely gorgeous day?" She asked, attempting to postpone the inevitable.
"I think you know why I dropped everything and drove almost four hours to see you. An email? How could you? You never think! Don't you care about us?" Jim exploded. "For years, we've been making plans for our future--what I thought would be a future together in Sleepyside. And now, just as I'm in the midst of completing my dissertation, just as I have a job offer and some semblance of stability, just as I have some time to think about our future together, you announce that your plans are changing... And you can't tell me face to face? You cant even call? No, you have to send an email telling me that YOUR plans have changed... And the timing! I'm in the midst of preparing for my orals and you decide to send an email? After sneaking around for months, you can't even wait until I'm finished with the most difficult thing I've ever done?"
Trixie continued to walk in silence, allowing Jim to rant. When she had sent the email the day before, she knew he would be upset. She just didn't know to what degree, exactly. She had hoped that he would be proud and happy for her, if not disappointed that they would be separated for the summer.
It seemed to Trixie that she had known Jim her entire life and that for almost that long she had loved him. They had met the summer Trixie was thirteen and Jim fifteen. Trixie and Honey were neighbors and best friends in Sleepyside-on-Hudson, New York and had found the orphaned run-away hiding in a near-by estate. After an exciting and adventurous summer, Honey's parents adopted Jim and the three of them, along with Trixie's two older brothers, Mart and Brian, had formed the Bob Whites of the Glen Club. During the following school year their membership had expanded to include two neighbors, Diana Lynch and Dan Mangan. Now, almost eight years later, the seven club members were scattered at colleges and graduate schools across the country, although they tried to keep close. Still best friends, Trixie and Honey were rooming together at John Jay College at the City University of New York where they were finishing their junior year, and planned to operate a private investigation firm together some day. Honey was engaged to marry Trixie's brother, Brian, the next summer; when he finished medical school at Johns Hopkins University. Trixie and Jim, although not officially engaged, had an "understanding". Jim would be receiving his Doctorate Degree in Education with a certificate in Administration from Harvard later that month and had accepted a teaching position with the Sleepyside School District. Mart and Diana both were graduating from Ohio State University that year, Mart in May and Diana in August, with a wedding date set for August. Dan would be graduating from Rutgers University later that week and would be entering law school in the fall.
Jim was aware of Honey and Trixie's long-range plans. While he never expressed specific objections to the plans, he often was critical of their tendency to get involved in mysteries; often placing themselves in some type of danger or at odds with the local police. The young women had never gotten into a situation they couldn't escape and managed to solve every mystery they'd encountered, but Jim was in constant conflict with his emotions regarding his sister and "best girl". Honey chose to ignore him and avoid conflict. Trixie found herself constantly battling Jim in her efforts to pursue her professional ambitions. He secretly hoped that once Honey married Brian and he and Trixie began their life together, the two young women would abandon their plans to become private detectives.
The reason for Jim's current anger and four-hour drive was Trixie's decision to accept a summer internship with the United States Department of Treasury, the Secret Service. Very few undergraduate students were accepted into the program and it was not an offer to be refused. Unfortunately, it required her to report to Washington, D.C. a few days after completing her semester exams. It would mean missing Jim's graduation and being separated from her family and friends for the entire summer, the first time in several years that Jim would be in Sleepyside for the entire summer. Knowing that Jim would be disappointed and, attempting to avoid confrontation, she had emailed him the "good" news. She had expected him to have mixed feelings and probably lose his infamous temper. She did not expect this much anger.
"It's only for the summer! I don't know what you mean, by my changing our plans." Trixie yelled back at Jim. "OUR plans haven't changed one bit. You're getting your doctorate and working to gain experience in teaching. I still plan to get my degree and go into investigative work. Someday, we'll live in Sleepyside and you'll have your school and I'll have my detective agency with Honey." Jim's face got redder as Trixie continued, "I'm not happy about a separation, but my gosh...an internship with Treasury! Do you know what that means?"
Jim's temper was boiling over. His green eyes were large and bright with anger. He became increasingly louder. "I'm not an idiot, I know what they do. I also know how dangerous working with them will be."
"Dangerous? I'll be an intern! IN A DAMN OFFICE!"
"You'll be in a strange city...a young girl alone. I can guarantee you'll get yourself entangled in something and there will be no one there to bail you out. You don't even know where you'll live."
"I'll what??? I...I DO SO know where I'll live!"
"You have no idea..."
"This is the opportunity of a lifetime. If you cared.." Trixie raised her voice to the same volume.
"If I cared? How can you even question my caring? Every time I leave you alone for five minutes you get yourself into some entanglement! I worry about you day and night and what you'll get into next! And here you are dashing off to pursue another half-baked 'adventure'"
"I what? Half-baked?"
"You're careless. You're impulsive. You never think. You'll have no one to keep you out of trouble."
"I'm impulsive? Who dropped everything and drove four hours during finals?" Trixie tried to regain control of herself. "No, excuse me, you're not impulsive. Try selfish. How can you even think that I would refuse this opportunity?"
"I'd think you. . ."
"Think what? Consult with you? Ask your permission? Deny all my dreams and desires?"
They were making a scene. People had stopped to stare at the young couple standing face-to-face, yelling at each other in the middle of Washington Square. Finally, after some time of nonsensical arguing, Trixie held up both hands in front of herself, palms toward Jim. "STOP!" She yelled as loudly as she was able. "I'm sorry you felt the need to drive down here! I'm sorry I didn't seek your permission before applying for the internship! I'm sorry if this wonderful opportunity interferes with YOUR plans in any way! I'm sorry my trying to be true to myself disappoints you. Frankly, I'm sorry I ever got involved with you! For eight years I've been apologizing to you for being myself! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! That's it! I'm not apologizing any more! You do what you want! This is what I want. This is what I need. What I don't need is more of your criticism and control!" Trixie took off the identification bracelet she was wearing and threw it at Jim. "We're through!"
Trixie took off across grassy area, almost tripping over a sign reading, Please! Stay off the Grass; running as far away from James Winthrop Frayne II as she could.
Columbus, Ohio
Same time
The beautiful young woman walked around the large sculpture for the umpteenth time, examining it from every angle. Her long black hair was blowing in the wind, and her violet eyes were sparkling. She could not believe it. Not only had the university administration allowed erection of a contemporary sculpture in front of the stately library building, but the sculpture they had selected was her work. Yes, of the forty-some artists submitting proposals, the university panel had commissioned the work of Diana Lynch, lowly undergraduate from Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson, New York, to be placed in front of the main library building.
With a big sigh, Diana turned and ran up the steps into the library building, oblivious to the heads that turned as she went by. She headed directly to an isolated area of the ancient stacks where she and her fiancé met almost every afternoon to "study". She quietly crept up behind a blond curly-haired young man and placed her arms around his neck.
"Did you see it?" She asked after kissing him on the back of his neck and then sitting in the chair next to his.
"See it?" replied Mart Belden. "Who could possibly miss it? I honestly didn't realize they'd be placing it in the middle of Neil Avenue Mall. I've known your work was worthy of such recognition, but who would have thought....
"Is this it?" Diana asked. "Does this mean I'm a real artist? Is this my big break? Or will I just be another unemployed art major in a few months?"
"My beautiful Sweetdiana." Mart turned facing her and touched her cheek lightly with his hand. "There is no doubt. You are an artist. You will create beautiful works of art. You will sculpt and paint and your work will be shown in the Louvre some day.. ."
"Martin Belden you are so full of it!" Diana pushed his hand away, but her wide grin deceived her pleasure hearing his complements.
"No, I'm in love." He reached for her with both hands.
"Tell me about it." Diana scooted her chair just a little closer to Mart.
"Diana, I love you with all my heart and soul." This time, Mart took both of her hands in his and played with the simple solataire on her left ring finger. "I want to marry you. I want to share all my worldly goods and possessions with you. I need you. I crave you. My body is clay in your sculptor's hands. I want to make love to you day and night, but ...."
"BUT?" Diana pulled her hands away.
"But, if I am to have any worldly goods and possessions to share I need to finish exams and graduate."
"Oh, Mart. In less that two weeks you'll be a college graduate. And in another three months, I'll graduate and we'll be married. Is it possible? Is it true?"
She hugged and kissed him again, slipping her fingers into the belt loops of his jeans and pulling him close to her.
Mart Belden and Diana Lynch had grown up as neighbors along Glen Road in Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson, New York. Mart was known as one of Sleepyside's best and brightest, standing out in academics, sports and community service. One year younger, Diana was always known as the most talented and beautiful girl in school and Mart had been in love with her since she was six and he was seven, and she'd come to his house to play with his younger sister. As teens they both had been members of the Bob Whites of the Glen Club, and began dating seriously during Mart's Senior year of high school. After graduation from Sleepyside High School, Diana followed Mart to Ohio State University where he was about to graduate with a degree in Agricultural Economics. Diana would be receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree that August, just one week before they planned to marry and move to Ithaca, New York where Mart would enter graduate school at Cornell University.
Mart cleared his throat. "Back to work, my Sweetdiana. Time for that later." He returned to his reading as best he could.
Diana opened her sketchpad and stared at the blank page. No one, absolutely no one, had ever been happier or more in love than she was at that exact moment, she thought to herself.
New York City
Ten minutes later
Jim Frayne stood next to his car--the only luxury he'd allowed himself since gaining access to a trust fund on his twenty-first birthday. A Jeep Grand Cherokee with all the extras. Practical, steady, sensible, reliable. Not a wealthy bachelor's car. Not a suffering grad student's car. But a safe, sensible car for a safe, sensible young man...and the family he had expected to have with Trixie in the not-too-distant future. And now...
Couldn't she see? Didn't she understand? He knew he sounded selfish, but everything he wanted, all his concerns were just for their, no, her well-being. How could he stand by and see someone he cared so much about continually place herself in danger? How could he allow her to act so foolishly? All he wanted was to have her safe at home with him...and their families. He couldn't risk losing her. It would be like losing his mom and dad all over again.....
Then he saw it. A parking ticket. "Oh shhhhhiii." He started to say as he pulled it out from behind the wiper. "The icing on the cake." He unlocked the door, got in and tore up the ticket in anger. He pulled a small velvet covered box out from between the seats. "Well, Happy Birthday, Trixie." He opened the case and looked at the diamond. "For what?" He asked himself. "For what? Some birthday gift."
He shut the box, threw it into the back of the vehicle and pounded the steering wheel several times with his fists before turning the ignition.
"To hell with Trixie Belden!" He said aloud and drove off.
New Brunswick, New Jersey
That Saturday
Dan Mangan taped up another box and placed it on top of the stack next to the kitchen table. He stepped back and looked over the almost empty room, fingering the earring in his ear. Four years, he thought. Four years of school, two of them living here, and now....
Just then a handsome red-haired man came up to the screen door and called in, "Is this the residence of Daniel Mangan, Esquire?"
"Uncle Bill! Come in," Dan called as he walked towards the door. "And it's not 'Esquire' or anything but 'The Grind' for at least another three years."
The two men embraced. Their appearance was so different it was difficult to find any family resemblance without looking very closely. The older man was of compact muscular build and had short red hair, sparkling blue eyes and fair, although tanned, freckled complexion. The younger man was taller and thinner, with long black hair and much darker coloring. His dark eyes were said to make him look brooding and mysterious. The one looked as conservative as the other exotic. But they shared a bond stronger than that of most brothers.
Seven years earlier, Bill Regan, barely twenty-two himself at the time, had been appointed legal guardian of the fifteen year-old son of his older sister. She had been widowed when Dan was no more than a toddler and raised him alone until she had died the year earlier. Dan was put in foster care and it had taken a full year for the young, unmarried uncle to prove his ability to care for Dan and obtain guardianship. By that time Dan had run away from his foster home, joined a street gang in New York City, been arrested, and placed in juvenile hall. Upon resolving the legalities, Regan immediately took Dan "home" to Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson, where Regan was employed as the Groom and Stable Manager on the country estate owned by Honey Wheeler's father. Dan was enrolled in the local high school and put to work for Jonah Maypenny, the manager of the Wheeler's large game preserve. After a rocky start, Dan made peace with his uncle and was asked to join the Bob Whites of the Glen Club. His new family and friends helped him to change his life and focus on the future. After graduation from high school, Dan had enrolled at the local Community College with plans to study Criminal Justice and become a Police Officer. After receiving his associate degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA, he transferred into Rutgers University on full scholarship where he was about to graduate with a degree in History and Political Science. To the surprise on no one but himself, he was graduating with highest honors and had been accepted into the University of Virginia Law School.
"Where's Josh?" Regan asked his nephew, referring to Dan's roommate.
"He moved all his things out yesterday. I had one late exam, so I put off most of my packing until today. I think I have everything. I don't know where we'll store all of this and I know we don't have time to pack the truck before the graduation ceremony."
"You're in luck. I towed one of the Wheeler's trailers. If we dont finish packing tonight, we can lock it up and you can finish tomorrow. I assumed, well, I figured you'd want to celebrate tonight. Mr. Wheeler also said we can store your things in one of his warehouses until you leave for Charlottesville in August."
"Charlottesville. Gee....I still can't believe it Uncle Bill. THE University of Virginia. A little classy for a street kid."
"You're no street kid. You're an honor graduate of a prestigious university. You had wonderful parents who loved and cared for you. And an uncle who feels the same way, and is about to burst with pride at your accomplishments, I might add. "
"Yeah, but I did spend a year on the streets of New York running with a gang."
"That was one year. I'm talking about what you've done with the other twenty-two."
There was a light tapping on the screen door.
"Trixie?" Regan asked in surprise when he saw the young woman standing there. Her bright smile disappeared.
"No, Uncle Bill. Come in Jen." Dan called to her.
A petite young woman with short blonde hair stepped into the room and gave Dan a quick hug while his uncle stared open-mouthed at her. He could not believe the resemblance to their neighbor in Sleepyside, Trixie Belden.
"You could be sisters!" he blurted out.
"Uncle Bill, I want you to meet Jennifer Gordon." Dan said, ignoring the comment. "Jen, this is my Uncle Bill Regan."
"Oh, Mr. Regan, Ah'm so glad to meet you. Daniel speaks so highly of you. And yes, one of the first things Daniel said to me was how much Ah resembled the little girl who lived near yawl in Sleepyside." Jennifer drawled as she put out her right hand.
Regan raised his eyebrows at his nephew upon the description of Trixie as a little girl. Dan seemed not to notice. "Dan has spoken highly of you, too. But he never said you were from the South. Or at least, I don't think that's a New Jersey accent I'm hearing."
"Yessah. Ah'm a little out of place hearr. Ah'm from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Ah'm proud of mah southern heritage, but Ah honestly wish Ah didn't carry it with me into every conversation."
"Where are your folks, Jen?" Dan asked.
"Oh, Ah left them at the motel. Mah mother drives me crazy getting ready for anything. Ah have mah things in the car and plan to meet them just before the ceremony. They'd like for all of us to go to dinner, later."
"That reminds me," Regan said. "I need to get my good clothes from the truck and change. If you'll excuse me."
Jen could barely wait for him to go out the door before literally jumping on Dan, wrapping her legs around his waist. She was so tiny, he held her easily. In between kisses she asked, "Well, mah beautiful Dan, have yuh told him?"
Returning each kiss, Dan stiffened a little. "He'd just walked in the door when you got here. So no, I haven't told him about our plans. But, tell me, what did the Reverend Gordon say when you told him that his little girl was planning to live with a former New York gang member--and without benefit of clergy?"
Baltimore, Maryland
Later the same day
The young man sighed as he pushed the protective goggles up on his head, wondering if he were this tired now, what would it be like next year or the year after that. How many hundreds of hours would he spend in laboratories like this one, before..?
Is it really worth it? he started to ask himself, but quickly pushed such thoughts from his mind. Of course it was worth it. He couldn't remember not wanting to be a doctor. That dream was slowly becoming a reality as Brian Belden completed one more lab assignment as part of his third and final year of Johns Hopkins University Medical School.
As he was stretching, a slender young woman tiptoed up behind him. Brian almost fell off the tall stool when she began to massage his shoulders.
"Tired?" She asked.
"Exhausted," Brian replied as he allowed himself to relax--just a little--and enjoy her expert fingers. "That feels wonderful. Aaahh....You are wonderful."
Joyce Mitchell couldn't believe what she heard. Did he really call me wonderful, she asked herself. She took one step closer to the handsome medical student, allowing her breasts to brush against his arm and back. She massaged a little deeper. Her heart began to beat rapidly.
"I really am trained in massage, Brian." She said in a somewhat huskier voice. "And I know what wonders it can do for stress. Let me show you."
Brian allowed himself to relax further. It did feel good, really good. Joyce was attractive, intelligent, personable, AND she left no doubt that she was available to him. He turned around on the stool.
"When?" he asked. He gripped her hips with his thighs and placed his arms around her waist.
"Now?" Joyce's voice became even huskier. She could barely breathe as she stepped closer to Brian.
"Just let me clean this up..." He said as he stood up.
Suddenly Brian seemed to wake up from a trance. "I'm sorry, Joyce. I just remembered an appointment--a very important appointment." He said as he grabbed his papers and hurried out of the lab.
Phone lines between Baltimore and New York City
Thirty minutes later
"Oh Brian. How did you know to call? I know you're in the midst of finals. I didn't want to bother you, but I do need to talk to you. I'm totally confused and frustrated."
"Confused? About what?" Brian asked his fiancée, Honey Wheeler, as he thought to himself that she couldn't be half as confused and frustrated as he felt.
"Your sister. My brother. It's a disaster. They're impossible. Don't they realize they have to be together? Why are they both so stubborn? Why now? It's finals. Don't they know...?"
"Whoa! What are you talking about? Start from the beginning."
Honey tried to explain all that had happened between his sister, Trixie, and her brother, Jim, during the past three days.
"Tuesday afternoon, Trixie and I were studying when Jim came and surprised us. He was noticeably upset so Trixie took him out for a walk. About twenty or thirty minutes later, Kate Collins from up the hall came by to tell me she saw Trixie and Jim having a screaming battle in the middle of campus. She couldn't tell what they were saying, but apparently they made quite a scene. Then Trixie took off running towards the Student Center. Jim yelled something at her, walked over to his car and left." Honey paused. Brian could tell by her voice that she was about to cry. Later that night Trixie called me and said not to worry. She was spending the night with one of our friends. When I asked her to explain, she said she was too upset to discuss it--even with me.
"Where is she now?" Brian didn't know exactly what to say to calm Honey.
"She's been by the room several times since and absolutely refuses to discuss it. She won't even discuss her internship..." Honey cut herself short.
"What internship?"
"Trixie didn't want anyone to know until she knew she got it and then she wanted to tell Jim first, although I think your parents have known since she first applied. I'm assuming that's what the fight is about. Oh I don't know what to do." Honey paused and thought for a few seconds.
"Honey, you're still not making much sense."
"Okay, Bri." Honey swallowed hard and tried to compose herself. "Trixie was accepted as an Intern with the Department of Treasury for the summer. As far as we know she's the ONLY undergraduate in the program. She's been working on getting it forever, writing letters, getting recommendations. She even went down to D.C. for an interview, but she didn't want anyone to know about it in case she didn't get it. But she did. She only heard about it last week and she has to be in D.C. on the tenth. AND she's hasn't begun to pack or anything.
"How would that be the cause of a fight with Jim?" Brian thought he understood what Honey was trying to say. Trixie had received a wonderful opportunity for a summer internship. Due to some unfounded lack of self-confidence and fear of criticism, especially from Jim, she didn't want anyone to know about it until after she received confirmation.
"Well... Trixie in all her wisdom decided to email him the news that she wouldn't be at his graduation and probably wouldn't see him at all until Mart and Di's wedding in August. I don't think he was happy about her email. But you know Trixie..."
"Okay, Honey, let me get this clear. Trixie's been accepted into a summer internship and she never shared anything with Jim until this week when she emailed him?"
"Mmmhuh."
"And your brother, feeling absolutely no stress as a result of his examinations, responded in his usual calm, cool and collected manner, by driving from Boston to New York to discuss it calmly with my equally even-tempered sister?"
"You've got it." Brian's sarcasm caused her almost to smile.
"Jeez.....Honey, I know this is distressing for you, but it's so typical Jim-and-Trixie. Have they ever been able to go more than a week or two without some kind of argument? I'm not worried in the least. Jim is now back at school, he'll ace his exams, brood about it a little, and be back in New York any day making kissy-face with Trixie.... THEN Trixie will head down to Washington with his blessings."
"Kissy-face?"
"Yeah, and speaking of kissy-face..."
"Brian...?"
"I love you Honey Wheeler.. I miss you Honey Wheeler....I..."
"Brian Belden, is this an obscene telephone call?"
"Is that what you'd like?" Brian only wished. His relationship with Honey was totally chaste.
"I don't know... Why don't we see?" Honey smiled and sat back. She watched the light dancing on the wall, relected from her treasured engagement ring, a Belden family heirloom.
"Well, I can try."
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