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Saccharine Sweet Revenge Jixemitri CWP #10
This story is my official debut as a Jix Author. Thank you to CathyP for allowing me to be counted among such talented
writers. Saccharine Sweet Revenge takes place after the story, “A Day in the Life of Moms”. “Bobby Belden! Where are you?” Trixie yelled from the middle
of her little brother’s room. She had been assigned the unpleasant task of
making sure that he was clean and dressed. Peter was taking Helen to “Bobby!” she repeated a bit louder. As she impatiently
turned to walk out of the room, her feet mysteriously tangled and she landed
in a heap on the floor. “Ooomph!” she gasped
loudly, the wind knocked out of her. “Gotcha!” Bobby cried gleefully, crawling out from under
his bed. “I maked you fall, Trixie! If you was a
bad guy, I woulda catched
you!” Trixie tried to get up, but as soon as she stood, she fell
again. While on the floor, she saw that her laces had been tied together.
“Bobby! That’s not very nice. You could’ve made me break my neck!” Bobby giggled and quickly exited his room while Trixie was
busy untangling her laces. He ran to the safe haven of his parents’ room and
hid behind his mother as she finished zipping her suitcase. He knew his
sister’s revenge would be sweet; saccharine sweet, as he liked to say. “Moms!” Trixie hollered as she stomped into her parents’
room in pursuit of her young charge. “Bobby tied my laces together and made
me fall!” Helen Belden looked up at her daughter. “Am I going to be able
to leave your brother here without coming home to any fatalities?” she asked, arching
a sandy brow skeptically. “I’m not sure this is a good id---” “What’s not a
good idea?” Peter Belden interrupted, coming in the room to retrieve the
heavy suitcase. “Leaving our children here.” Seeing that her husband was
not convinced, Helen added ominously, “Alone.” Peter kissed her cheek. “They’ll be fine, dear. You’ve been
looking forward to this trip, and you need a break. Doesn’t she, Trixie?” He emphasized his last words and looked
pointedly at his daughter. “You sure do, Moms,” Trixie agreed with a gulp. “You can
count on us to take care of everything.” She remembered how one of her
mysteries ruined the previous Mother’s Day; she was determined not to ruin Moms’
birthday, as well. Helen shook her head. “School just started. I really should
be here to help Bobby get ready.” “I can do it, Moms!” Trixie insisted. She would not allow
her mother to give up her much needed holiday. “Bobby will be good, won’t you
lamb?” She nodded to her brother. “Sure. I don’t want Moms to miss her ‘cation.
It is her birthday. Hey, when will
it be my birthday, Trixie? I never
getta have a birthday!” “Your birthday
isn’t for a long time, lamb,” Trixie answered honestly. “I’ve been six for forever!” Bobby pouted. “Well, let’s go change your clothes so we can take Moms and
Dad to the airport. Maybe you’ll get to see some big planes take off.” “Oh, boy!” Bobby exclaimed, hurrying to his bedroom. Trixie
rolled her eyes in exasperation and followed him. “Are you sure they’ll be all right?” Helen quietly asked
her husband when they were alone. Peter laughed. “They’ll be fine. They’re old enough to stay
by themselves. And if they have an emergency, the Wheelers are close by.” “Well, I suppose I can call to check in…” “No, you will not, Mrs. Belden. This is our time away alone, and there will be
no phone calls home unless there’s
an absolute emergency.” Helen sighed wearily. “I’d just feel better if Brian was
home.” Their oldest son had left for college a couple of weeks earlier. “Brian will be home tomorrow evening. They’ll only have one
night without him here.” “Still, I’d feel better if…” “If they came along with us?” her husband teased. Helen got a horrified look on her face. “I guess a few days
alone will be good for them.” Peter chuckled at his wife’s expression. “I thought that
might change your mind. If it makes you feel any better, I called Sgt.
Molinson and asked him to keep an eye on the kids. I’m sure he’ll make sure
Trixie doesn’t get involved in any mysteries while we’re away.” “That makes me feel better. And it has been a quiet summer.” She stroked her husband’s cheek. “Tell
me again about this cabin where we’ll be staying.” Peter smiled. “Well, it’s by the ocean, and it has a
king-sized bed. There’s a lovely fireplace if it gets chilly in the evening,
and there’s a big Jacuzzi on the private deck.” “It sounds heavenly,” Helen purred as she kissed his parted
lips. “Do not my overly amative forebears have a quixotic chamber
reserved where they may retreat for their noxious displays of affection?”
Mart interrupted, munching an apple. “Why did we have
kids, Helen?” Peter inquired, scratching his head. “Sometimes I have trouble remembering, dear,” Helen said
with a giggle. “Well, cherished begetters, I am apprehensive about
arriving at the airport in time for you to embark; however, if my winsome
maternal ancestor would rather forsake her natal anniversary excursion and st---” “Okay, Mart, we get the message.” Peter grinned at his
middle son, who reminded him so much of himself at that age. “Trixie! Bobby!
Time to go!” He and Mart carried the luggage downstairs and took it out to
the station wagon. Soon, everyone was
in the car and off to the airport in At the
airport… Trixie sighed impatiently as she waited in the terminal.
They had gotten there well ahead of schedule and had eaten dinner in a nearby
café. Now, she and her brothers waited until their parents could board their
flight. Bobby was determined to wave good-bye to Moms and Dad as their plane
took off in the sky. “I’m bored,” she complained. “We’ve still got a few
minutes, so I’m going to the snack stand and get something to drink.” “Will you be all right by yourself?” Helen asked. “Would
you like Mart to go with you?” Trixie shook her head. “I won’t be long.” She trotted off
to buy something to drink before a bodyguard could be assigned to her. While
she stood in the long line, she studied the crowd. Gleeps! There are a lot of people in the airport this evening, she
thought. Impatiently awaiting her turn
to order, she amused herself by people-watching. This is better than the zoo! she giggled
to herself. She
watched a little girl turn around in circles until she got dizzy and fell
over. She saw a young couple embrace passionately. She noticed an older
couple arguing heatedly over who would carry the money. Finally, her eyes
drifted to a young executive off by himself. He had dark red hair and looked
very handsome in his expensive suit. Trixie watched him with great interest,
reminded of a certain supple friend. Then,
she noticed a person lurking close to the good-looking executive. The man had
a hat drawn over his eyes. Trixie stared at him suspiciously. He looks like he’s up to no good! She
rubbed her eyes, positive she was seeing things. Why, he looks very familiar! The
cute redhead pulled out a cell phone. While he was talking, Trixie noticed
that the suspicious man hovered close by. The suspect was skinny, and a
thatch of dirty-blond hair peeked out from his cap. When she got a better
glimpse of his face, she saw how close together his eyes were. She snapped
her fingers as his identity dawned on her. Dick the Dip! She
kept her eyes glued to the executive and the suspicious-looking man. While
the redhead talked on the phone, Dick reached for the businessman’s back
pocket. He’s going to steal his wallet!
Instinctively, Trixie gave a shrill whistle. The handsome executive jumped at
the sudden noise, and Dick hastily moved away. Trixie
stared at the dubious pickpocket as he fled. Suddenly he turned around and
glared at her. Gleeps! I’m positive that that IS Dick the Dip! He must’ve gotten
out of prison! Forgetting her thirst, she ran back to her parents. She
tried to control her breathing. “You’ll never guess who I saw!” she blurted
to her family. “Does
the fair Beatrix wish to play ‘A Kilo of Inquiries’
while we tarry in the terminal?” Mart inquired. She
stuck her tongue out at her almost-twin. “For once, I get to correct you. A
‘kilo’ is a thousand, not twenty!” “How
well I know that,” Mart scoffed, “but since when did you ever stop at twenty
questions?” “I
just saw Dick the Dip!” she exploded, ignoring his teasing. “The
guy who stole the diamond and hid it in the gatehouse?” Mart scratched his
head. For once, he forgot to put his great vocabulary to use. Trixie
nodded, trying to catch her breath. “He was trying to swipe some guy’s
wallet.” “I
don’t like Dickie no more,” Bobby commented with a
pout. “I thoughted he was my friend, but he wasn’t.
I ‘dored him but he didn’t really ‘dore me. He was mean.” “I’m
sure it wasn’t the same man,” Helen surmised, her brows furrowed with
concern. “Richard Blank was in prison the last I heard.” “Well,
maybe he got out. I just know it was him,” Trixie insisted. “Remember
the time you thought Mr. Maypenny was a crazy unicyclist in the circus?” her
almost-twin remarked. “You were sure about that, too.” Trixie
rolled her eyes. “No, I thought Mr. Maypenny was a poacher, but that’s beside
the point. I’m sure I saw Dick the
Dip, Mart. I got a good look at him.” “Remember
when you thought for sure that Ned Shultz’s dad was stealing Uncle Andrew’s
sheep?” Mart taunted. “But
I’m positive about this!” Trixie cried desperately. “Remember
when you…” “Fine!”
Trixie interrupted angrily. “Don’t
believe me. I know what I saw, though.” “Trixie,
I’m sure you saw someone who just
looked like Dick,” Peter told her, patting her arm comfortingly. She
merely shrugged her shoulders. Trixie knew what she had seen. Two hours
later… Mart wearily pulled the family station wagon into the
driveway at Crabapple Farm. Bobby had been sniffling ever since their parents
had boarded the plane. “Hey, when’s Moms gonna be back?”
he asked for the hundredth time. “Tonight is Thursday,” Trixie patiently explained. “They’ll
be gone Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They’re coming home late Sunday night,
so when you wake up Monday morning, they’ll be here.” “That’s a long time,” Bobby cried, dragging into the house. “Go brush your teeth and change into your PJ’s, small fry,” Mart ordered gently after removing his
brother’s muddy shoes. “Trix will be
up to tuck you into bed in a few minutes.”
Surprisingly, Bobby obeyed immediately. “The poor thing is exhausted!” Trixie said sympathetically. “Just be thankful that he is. I was afraid we were going to
have to spike his nightly gallon of water with valium after he wailed the
entire way home.” “You’re so mean, Mart,” she giggled. “Let’s just hope our overly-uxorious procreators don’t come
home with another Belden on the way,” he muttered, grimacing. “Ewww! I don’t even want to think
about that!” Trixie shrieked, putting her fingers in her ears. She ran
upstairs and tucked Bobby into bed. After he said his prayers and heard a
short bedtime story, he instantly fell asleep. She kissed his forehead and
tiptoed out of the room. Trixie found Mart in his usual spot--- the kitchen. She
poured herself a glass of milk and grabbed a cupcake before her almost-twin
ate them all. “The little monster’s out for the
night,” she garbled with her mouth full. “Ah, peace at last!” Mart exclaimed in relief. “I’d better
call Brian and let him know that Moms and Dad made it off okay.” He dialed
the number for Brian and Jim’s dorm room. “Hey, Brian….Yeah, we just got home a few minutes ago…He
cried the whole way home, but he’s asleep now…Yes, I remembered to lock the
doors…Yes, I’ll set my alarm for the morning…Yes, I’ll feed Reddy…No, we
won’t eat candy bars for breakfast…Yes, I’ve been brushing my teeth before
bed for several years now. I don’t think I’ll forget to do it tonight...Hey,
here’s Trix.” Mart rolled his eyes and handed the
phone to Trixie. She mouthed a sarcastic “thank you”, and then took the
receiver. “Hey, Brian…We’re doing just fine…Yes, I’m helping Bobby
get on the bus in the morning…Yes, I told him you would pick him up from
school tomorrow…Yes, we’re meeting you at Wimpy’s for dinner…Hey! Guess who I
saw at the airport?...Yes, I’m purposely changing
the subject…You didn’t answer my question. Guess who I saw!...Dick
the Dip!...It was him! I got a good look at him...I won’t…I said
I won’t, Brian! I didn’t get to solve one single mystery all stinkin’ summer!...Well, I am
disappointed… “Sure, I’ll talk to Jim…Hi, Jim….Yeah, we’ll be there
tomorrow…Gee, Jim, that sounds great!...*sigh* I already told Brian that I
wouldn’t…But it was him! I’m sure of it…Yes, I
remember when I thought Trixie
hung up the phone noisily. “Those boys are such…such…men!” Mart
snorted. “So you got the third degree, too?” She
nodded, a frown marring her brow. “They must think I’m pretty stupid if I’m
going to look for a mystery while Moms and Dad are away. I don’t want to ruin
their trip.” Both
Trixie and Mart jumped as the phone rang. She hurriedly picked it up, her
blue eyes sparking with indignation. “What, Brian? Think of some more last
minute lectures?” she yelled, expecting her oldest brother on the line. “Mommy and Daddy are gone now. Can Trixie
come out to play?” an evil voice sneered on the other line. “Who is this?” Trixie demanded, her
voice shaking. But the caller hung up without answering. She held the phone
for a minute, shock prohibiting her from saying a single word. “What’s
wrong?” Mart inquired, stuffing another bite of cupcake into his mouth. “It
must’ve been a prank call,” she replied softly. Mart
put down his cupcake and leveled his eyes at his sister. “What did he say,
Trix?” “He
said something about Moms and Dad being gone. Then he asked if I could come
out to play.” Mart
shrugged. “Aw, it was probably Jerry Vanderhoef and
Bill Wright making crank calls. They’re just giving you the business.” “Yeah,
you’re probably right.” She nervously chewed on her bottom lip as she mulled
his words. “Did
you recognize the voice?” her brother questioned. “No.
It sounded like he used something to disguise it.” “Do
you want to call the police?” “Definitely
not. Sgt. Molinson would probably accuse me of working on another mystery.
I’m sure it was just a joke. A lot of people knew Moms and Dad were going
away.” “Should
we call Brian?” “Gleeps, Mart! Brian would call the National Guard and
have them camp out in our yard! I’m sure it’s nothing.” Trixie jumped up.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m worn out. I’m going to bed. Good
night.” “Night,”
her almost-twin answered back. After he heard Trixie’s footsteps on the
stairs, he quickly double-checked that all the doors were tightly bolted
shut. In the
morning... Trixie rubbed her eyes sleepily as her alarm clock blared.
She had not gotten nearly enough sleep last night. She had gone to bed late
after dropping Moms and Dad off at the airport. Then, she had tossed and
turned for several hours, worrying about the mysterious phone call. When she
finally did fall asleep, she dreamed about Dick the Dip all night. She hurriedly showered and dressed, then went in to wake up
Bobby. Thankfully, he jumped out of bed right as soon as she called for him. “Here are your clothes, Bobby.
After you’re dressed, come downstairs and get some breakfast. Oh, and don’t
forget to brush your teeth. With toothpaste!” She hurried downstairs to avoid
Bobby’s scowl. Trixie laid out boxes of cereal, bowls, and spoons on the
counter, and then she put slices of bread in the toaster. Soon she heard Mart
clump down the stairs. Although he had no intentions of telling his sister,
he had stayed awake all night, making sure nobody broke into Crabapple Farm. “Good morning, my dear almost-twin!” she exclaimed in a
cheerful voice. Mart grunted and rolled his eyes. “My sweet Beatrix, your precocity in bidding me aurora salutations
is quite vexing.” “Not get enough sleep?” she asked with a giggle. Mart grabbed the first pieces of toast that popped out of
the slots. “No. I conject that your somnolence was
luxuriant.” He slathered butter and jam on his
toast, and then took a big bite. “Well, if you’re asking how I slept, the answer is rotten!”
Trixie corrected. “My mind was too busy to shut down. I kept thinking about
seeing Dick the Dip, and also about that phone call. Why, it was all
so...so...myst---” “Don’t say it!” Mart interrupted, squinting
his eyes fearfully. “You’re not allowed to find a mystery while Moms and Dad
are away.” Trixie sighed as she poured herself a bowl of cereal. “I
never try to find mysteries, Mart.
They somehow find me. But you have
to admit, it was a coincidence that
we got that strange call after seeing Dick at the airport.” “Correction, my flaxen-haired sister! After you thought you saw Dick at the airport.” “I’m positive it was him. After I warned that handsome
executive that someone was trying to steal his wallet, I got a good look at
the pickpocket. I’d be willing to bet Susie that it was our old friend
Richard Blank.” Mart shrugged. “Susie’s not even your horse to bet.” He
poured a heaping mound of cereal in a mixing bowl that he found in the
cupboard. “Still, I’ll be glad when our eldest kinsman is home. I’d rather
you be Mr. Responsible’s charge.” Though he would never tell a soul,
especially Trixie, Mart had no doubt that his sister had seen Richard Blank.
And that is what worried him. They both looked up as Bobby skipped into the room. “Mornin’!” the little boy greeted cheerfully. The youngest
Belden had such an excess of energy that a lack of sleep never seemed to
bother him. “Good morning, Bobby,” Trixie answered. “Ummm...what do have on your head?” Bobby had successfully dressed in the
clothes that his sister had laid out for him, but on his head he wore a
bicycle helmet. “Nuthin’,” Bobby innocently
replied, while pouring his cereal. He scooped up the cereal that had fallen
on the table, as well as the cereal that had fallen on the floor, and popped
the flakes he had gathered into his mouth. “Methinks my puerile brother’s anomalous protective
headgear may be deemed improper by the prolocutors at his institution of
higher learning,” Mart babbled between bites of cereal. “Hey, I don’t got no headgear on,
Mart,” Bobby stated with an authoritative tone. “I jus’ gotted
my bicycle helmet on. An’ I’m not per...pur…
whatever you said.” “That’s what protective headgear is, small fry,” Mart
corrected, grinning. “And ‘puerile’ means young.” Bobby shrugged and stuffed a big bite of toast into his
mouth. “Then why didn’t ya jus’ say ‘Why does my
younger brother gotted a helmet on’?” Trixie hooted as she carried her cereal bowl to the sink.
“Bobby has more sense than you do, Mart! Everybody had better finish up soon.
The bus will be here any minute.” Bobby looked up in alarm. “Where’s my homework?” “Surely you don’t have homework already, Bobby,” Trixie
commented, nonchalantly removing his helmet. “I do!” he wailed, tears threatening to fall. “Moms holped me with it when I gotted
home yesterday. I hadta trace the letter of the day
an’ color the picture. Moms putted it up after I gotted
it done so I wouldn’t lost it, an’ I don’t ‘member where she putted it! So
now it really is losted!” “Don’t worry, lamb. I’ll find it,” she assured him. She
looked in her mother’s best keeping spot. Sure enough, there it was, high up
on top of the refrigerator. “Is this it, Bobby?” Bobby jumped up and grabbed it. “Yup! That’s it! ‘U’ says uhh as in umbrella! See how I good I colored it, Trixie?” “Yes, that’s a good job. Now we’d better catch your bus.”
She hurriedly wiped the jelly from his face and grabbed his book bag. “Better
stick your homework in your bag so you don’t ‘losed’
it again.” “You mean ‘losted’,” Bobby
corrected. They walked down to the end of the driveway. Soon, Bobby’s
bus pulled up. “Be good in class today, Bobby,”
Trixie said, giving him a peck on the cheek. “And don’t forget that Brian’s
picking you up after school. You get to go to Wimpy’s with all the
Bob-Whites.” “Hooray!” Bobby yelled gleefully as he climbed on the bus. “Comport yourself in a gratifying manner,” Mart called. Ten
minutes later, the bus to On the
bus... On the bus, Trixie happily chatted with her best friend,
Honey Wheeler. They were talking about the upcoming Homecoming dance. Mart
and Dan sat across the aisle from them. “Hey, Honey, did my sleuthing sibling tell you who she
ascertained was at the airport yesterday?” Mart
inquired with a twinkle in his blue eyes. “Was it a movie star?” Honey asked excitedly. Trixie rolled her eyes. “Not quite. In spite of my
almost-twin’s doubts, I’m positive that I saw Richard Blank.” “Dick the Dip!” Honey gasped in surprise. “Are you sure? I
thought he was in prison!” “I don’t know,” Trixie said with a shrug. “Maybe he was
paroled, or maybe he escaped. All I know is that I’m positive it was that
little weasel I saw.” “I still think he
was sort of handsome,” Honey admitted with a giggle. “You know, in a skinny kind
of way. Actually, that’s kind of ironic, Trixie. Miss Trask and I had to run
an errand yesterday to “Really?” Trixie replied in a surprised voice. “I wonder
what he’s doing out of jail.” “I don’t know, but both Miss Trask and I saw him.” “Dick the Dip and
Snipe Thompson both out of prison at the same time. How myst---” “Mysterious!” Dan and Mart chorused with her. Both were clutching
their hair and feigning shock. Trixie sniffed indignantly and tossed her sandy curls. “If
you (here she sniffed again) boys will excuse us, Miss Wheeler and I need to
confer privately.” She and Honey spent the rest of the ride to school huddled
together, whispering. At school... Trixie and Honey hurried to their lockers, hoping to find their
other best friend, Diana Lynch. She normally rode the bus with the rest of
the BWGs, but she had been absent that morning. Of
course, sometimes her father dropped her off on his way into the city. And
this was one of those mornings. Pretty Di Lynch was digging through her locker. “Morning,
Di!” Trixie greeted in her usual exuberant manner. “We missed you on the bus.
Especially Mart.” Di blushed. It was well known that the violet-eyed beauty
and the verbose blond were quite fond of each other. “Daddy wanted some company on his way to
work this morning,” she explained. “I needed to talk to you on the bus, but
Daddy said it could wait until I got to school.” “What’s up, Di?” Honey asked curiously. “You’ll never believe who we saw yesterday!” she squealed,
flipping her ebony hair over her shoulder. “Daddy and I took both sets of the
twins out for a ride yesterday. Actually, I think Mummy just wanted some peace
and quiet because she had one of her awful migraines. So, we took a lovely
ride all through Sleepyside. I told the twins about Hoppy,
and it was so cute watching them all say hello. Then we---” “Who did you see, Di?” Trixie impatiently interrupted. Trixie
had many virtues, but patience was not one of them. Di blinked her lovely eyes. “I was just getting to that
part. Daddy decided to take the twins down “Uncle Monty from Di shook her head in confusion. “No, my fake Uncle Monty. Tilney Britten!” Trixie and Honey both gasped. “Are you sure, Di?” Trixie
asked. “Positive. Daddy saw him, too. He was going to call the
Police Station and ask Sgt. Molinson about him, but he forgot.” “How strange!” Honey exclaimed. “I thought I saw Snipe
Thompson yesterday. And Trixie saw Dick the Dip at the airport.” “It’s more than strange,” Trixie grinned. “It’s downright myst---” “Mysterious!” Honey and Di chimed in with her. They
temporarily forgot about criminals and giggled as they went to their first
period classes. After
school… Having made
plans to meet Brian, Jim, and Bobby at Wimpy’s for dinner, the others walked
over to the diner after the final bell at school had rung. When the group got
to their favorite hangout, they saw that Brian, Bobby, and Jim had already
claimed the large booth in the back. “I’m starving!” Mart exclaimed, plunking into a seat. “Maybe my almost-twin is too hungry to use his immense
vocabulary,” Trixie teased, grabbing the seat beside Jim. Jim looked at her fondly and tugged his favorite curl. “Find
any mysteries while we were away, Shamus?” “As a matter of fact, I did,” she answered with an
indignant sniff and toss of her sandy curls. “Beatrix Belden!” her oldest
brother scolded. “You were under strict orders to avoid all mysteries while
Moms and Dad are away.” “I can’t help it, Brian! Mysteries just fall into my lap.
It’s my destiny,” she cried dramatically. “I foresee a fortnight restriction from any festive
alacrity,” Mart taunted. “Is Trixie goin’ to a fort?”
Bobby inquired. “I wanna go to the fort, too.” Honey laughed. “No, Bobby. Mart just said that Trixie is
going to be grounded for two weeks.” “And it really isn’t just Trixie’s mystery,” Di added suuportively. “Honey and I are involved, too!” “What are you girls up to?” Dan warily peeked up from the
menu he was perusing. “Diamond thieves? Kidnappers? Sheep rustlers?” Honey giggled. “Well, two out of three isn’t bad, Dan.” “As some of you know, I saw Richard Blank, alias Dick the
Dip, at the airport yesterday,” Trixie said. “On the contrary, dear sister, you speculate that you saw Mr. Blank,” Mart corrected. “Well, I, for one, believe her!” Honey cried loyally. “And
Miss Trask and I saw Snipe Thompson!” “And Daddy and I saw Tilney Britten!” Di retorted. Jim whistled through his teeth. “Is there a ‘Trixie Belden
Haters Club’ meeting in town? All we need now is Pierre Lontard
and Nick Morgan.” “And Blinky, Tony, and Pedro,”
Mart added. Brian nodded his head. “And Thea
Van Loon, Fred Swisher, Laura Ramsey, and…” “All right, gang. Let’s order,” Jim interrupted, noticing
the agitated look on Trixie’s face. She smiled at him gratefully, and he
patted her hand. After they all had ordered cheeseburgers and fries, they
discussed future possible fundraising projects. The Bob-Whites of the Glen
did more than just have fun; they donated much time and money to various
charities. Over the years, they had helped UNICEF, the The talk slowed down once their food arrived.
“Yummy-yum-yum!” Trixie exclaimed, biting into her burger. “Perfectly perfect!” Honey commented, daintily dipping a
fry into some ketchup. “Wimpy’s food is almost gooder
than Moms!” Bobby said with his mouth full. “If you clean your plate, and then
you can have one of Mike’s milkshakes,” Trixie promised. “So thick you can’t drink
it through a straw!” Honey grinned. “Unless you want your
cerebellum to hemorrhage,” Mart added with a wink. Suddenly, Dan stood
up and looked out the window. A few minutes later he sat back down, his face
white as a ghost. “What’s wrong, Dan?”
Honey asked. “I think I just saw
Luke,” he replied quietly. “Luke Duke?” Bobby
asked excitedly. Recently, Bobby had recently discovered “Dukes of Hazzard” reruns and was quite impressed with the Southern
cousins. Dan shook his head.
“Luke was in the gang with me, Bobby. He was a very bad person.” “Surely, you’ve been
militated by my xanthous-haired sibling and are
excogitating apparitions from the distant preterition,”
Mart retorted. “I know what I saw!”
Dan insisted impatiently. “It was
Luke. He even had on his Cowhands jacket.” “Maybe it was only
someone who looked like Luke,” Di
suggested helpfully. Dan shook his head
again. “No, it was Luke. I’d recognize him anywhere.” “I don’t know about
anyone else, but I’m getting kind of nervous about all these guys being
around,” Brian said, his dark brows meeting in the deep groove above his
nose. “It seems a little too coincidental.” “And this would just
happen to be the weekend when Mr. and Mrs. Belden are away,” Jim added,
frowning. “Do my ears deceive
me, or do we have some new partners in the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency?”
Trixie teased. “Soon you boys will be using the word ‘mysterious’!” Dan was not laughing,
however; he looked quite serious. “This isn’t a joking matter, Trix. There
are some dangerous criminals in town, who don’t like you very much, might I
add.” “When we get home,
I’m calling Sgt. Molinson. He needs to know about this,” Brian informed them. “Maybe you should
spend the night at Manor House,” Honey pleaded in a frightened voice. “Just
in case anyone bre…” She stopped when she saw
Bobby’s wide eyes. “Are some burgers comin’ to our house?” he asked,
his blue eyes as big as saucers. “Cuz I’ve been practicin’ for ‘em! I gotted my plans all ready!” “Just don’t put nails
in the driveway again,” Brian answered dryly. “Moms is
still kind of sore at you for that.” “I won’t,” Bobby
replied solemnly. “But there’s lotsa other junk I can do. I could put tacks in the
welcome mat or saw a hole in the floor an’ cover it with a rug or…” Brian grinned at his
impish little brother. “I don’t think you should be sawing around on Moms’
floors, Bobby. Not if you want to live a long life, that is.” “Well, I can get some
big barbells like is on that nymphomercial…” The Bob-Whites hooted
with laughter at Bobby’s misspeak. “He’s a Belden, all right,”
Dan commented, wiping his eyes. Dan remained amused by Mr. and Mrs. Belden’s
constant public displays of affection. Bobby looked
confused, as well as a little angry. “Hey, what’s so funny?” Noticing his
distress, Trixie put an arm around her little brother, who was sitting on the
other side of her. “You mean an ‘infomercial’,” she explained, trying to
stifle a giggle. “A ‘nympho’ is, well, never mind.
You’ll figure that out when you’re older. And it might not be a good idea to
hang barbells from the ceiling.” “I got lots more
ideas,” Bobby said hopefully. “Why don’t you leave
the defensive tactics to the obsolesce members of our clan,” Mart retorted in
a superior tone. “Yes, Bobby,” Brian
agreed. “You’ll only end up getting hurt. Mart and I will take care of
everything.” Bobby hung his head
dejectedly. Trixie leaned over to
her younger brother. “Psst! Don’t worry, Bobby,”
she whispered. “We’ll think of something for you to do.” Bobby grinned at his
sister thankfully. “Thanks, Trixie! You don’t treat me like a baby like Mart
and Brian.” Everyone ordered
milkshakes after the burgers and fries “mysteriously” disappeared. While they
were all draining the last of the chocolate from their glasses, they began
discussing the rest of the evening’s plans. “So, what’s the plan
for the night?” Jim asked, casually putting his arm around the back of the
booth behind Trixie’s shoulders. “We could go look at
Crimper’s,” Di suggested hopefully. “I need a new handbag to match my outfit
for Homecoming.” “Beautiful Diana, as
much as my heart aspires to gratify you, I must enunciate my abhorrence of
garment and or accessory perusal,” Mart refused, with a shake of his head.
“Are there any other propositions?” “There’s a new movie
playing at The Cameo,” Honey commented. Dan raised an
eyebrow. “Is it a chick flick?” Honey giggled. “No,
it’s a psychological thriller, guaranteed to please even the manliest of
men.” “Is Ewan McGregor in it?” Jim questioned skeptically. “Or Tom Welling?”
Brian added. “Or Matthew McConaughey?” Mart muttered. Trixie laughed. “I
don’t know why you boys don’t like those actors. They’re very talented.” “Pretty easy on the
eyes, as well,” Diana whispered to Honey, who was sitting to her left. “And to answer your
question, no, those hunks… er, guys aren’t in it. I
think it stars Meg Ryan and Harrison Ford,” Honey informed them. “Let’s go! I’m rather
partial to Meg Ryan!” Jim said with a wink. Trixie scowled and elbowed him in
the gut. “Excuse me, but
what’re we supposed to do with Bobby?” Brian brought up with a nod to his
littlest brother. “I don’t think Moms would want him to see that movie. It
doesn’t sound G-rated.” “Oh, please, Brian!”
Bobby pleaded. “I’m older than ya think! Please! I
won’t get scareded in the movie. I’ll hide my
eyes.” Luckily for the
Bob-Whites, Miss Trask conveniently appeared. “Why, hello, kids!” she greeted
them. “I just finished some errands and got a craving for one of Mike’s
delicious milkshakes. What’re your plans for the evening?” “We want to see a
movie, but unfortunately, the one showing at The Cameo is a little too scary
for Bobby,” Honey explained forlornly. “So I guess we’ll just do something
else instead.” “I can take Bobby
with me, if you’d like. I’d appreciate his company,” Miss Trask said with a
wink. “Maybe we can stop at the stable and see Regan.” Bobby sighed
forlornly. “Why am I the most youngest of ev’rybuddy?” he asked sadly, a big tear rolling down his
cheek. “I never getta do nuthin’!” “So, you don’t want
to be the very first one to see Susie’s new foal,” Miss Trask slyly observed. “Oh, boy!” Bobby yelled, his tears instantly dried. “I’ve never gotted to see a baby horse before! Can we go now?” Miss Trask laughed at
his sudden jolly mood. “Yes, I’ll get my shake to go. You all have a good
time, and you can pick Bobby up after the movie.” “Thank you, Miss
Trask!” Brian called as they walked off. “Well, let’s get to The Cameo.” “Most assuredly, my
comrade,” Mart saluted. “Methinks a sojourn at the sustenance vendors is well
in order.” “Can we stop at the
concession stand and get some popcorn after we finish at the vendors?” Di asked, her violet eyes filled with confusion. Mart’s eyes twinkled
as he cast Diana an affectionate glance. “Your wish is my command, my delicate
purple pansy,” he cooed, ignoring Dan’s fake vomiting. The Bob-Whites
wandered over to the movie theater and paid for their tickets. Feeling
something amiss, Trixie glanced around the street suspiciously. “What’s wrong, Trix?”
Jim asked. “Have you ever felt
like you were being watched?” she whispered, her voice wavering slightly. Jim carefully studied
the crowd surrounding them, placing a protective arm around her shoulders.
“Did you see someone suspicious?” Trixie shook her head
nervously. “No, but I can just tell that someone’s watching me.” “Hey guys, are you
coming?” Honey inquired, holding the door open for them. Trixie and Jim gave a final scan, and then
entered the movie theater. They were almost an hour early, so the group
played video games and made selections at the concession stand until it was
time to claim their seats. A few minutes before show time, they
all wandered in and found seats together. Jim sat on one end, next to Trixie.
Honey grabbed the other seat beside Trixie, followed by Brian. Di sat on the
other side of Brian, and Dan jokingly tried to block Mart. After a death
threat, Dan allowed Mart to sit next to Di and settled for the seat beside
Mart. They whispered back and forth before
the lights went out. In the middle of Mart and Dan’s heated argument over
which food item was a better dancer in the concession stand’s commercial, the
corndog or bag of popcorn, Trixie suddenly stood up and peeked at the crowd
around her. “What’s wrong, Trix?” Jim inquired. “Do
you see Dick or one of the other people?” Trixie sat back down and shook her
head. “No, I haven’t seen any of them. But I just can’t shake the feeling
that we’re being watched.” The lights went down and the previews
appeared on the screen. An announcer’s voice blared over the speakers. “Welcome to The Cameo! Hope you enjoy the
show!” |
