Part 10

But it never came.

“I’ve got you,” a voice said.

She was slowly lifted until she was standing straight up. She turned and saw Dan on the second step down.

“You aren’t hurt, are you?” Dan asked.

Trixie shook her head. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her body. She knew she could have been seriously hurt if she had hit the steps. She began to tremble.

“Sit down, Trix,” Dan instructed.

She sank to the steps and she vaguely heard a voice ask, “Is she all right?”

The voices faded as shock set in. Trixie was unsure how much time had passed when she heard voices talking to her.  She blinked a few times and slowly turned her head. Jim was sitting beside her, his arm around her shoulder.

“Jim?” She mouthed.

He smiled at her. “It’s me. I’m right here.”

Trixie looked around, trying to figure out where they were. Seeing the beds, she recognized the nurse’s office. She had no idea how she had gotten there. She looked back at her boyfriend and squeezed his hand.

“You want to know what happened?”

Trixie nodded.

“Someone called your name as you were about to go down the steps. You turned and then some students knocked into you. You lost your balance and almost fell.”

“Almost?” Trixie mouthed.

“Dan was coming up. He saw what was about to happen and caught you before you did.”

Trixie looked around, but didn’t see her hero. She looked questioningly at Jim.

“He wanted to stay, but he had a math test that he couldn’t miss,” Jim explained. “He said he would be back as soon as he finished.”

Trixie nodded. She was surprised she had reacted like she did.

She looked at Jim and he asked, “What do you need?”

Trixie made a writing motion and Jim gave her a notebook and pen.

“How long have I been here?” she wrote.

“About 20 minutes,” Jim answered. “I got here right after you did. You started moving about and the nurse said we should let you wake on your own.”

Trixie looked at Jim. “Do we know who did this?”

Jim looked at the floor. She reached over and touched his hand. He looked up and she saw a deep sadness reflected in his eyes. He swallowed hard and she was certain she was not going to like this.

Before Jim could tell her, the door opened and Dan hurried in. Trixie saw that his face was white and he was breathing hard. Dan moved over to her and gave her a hug. She gave him a squeeze letting him know she was okay.

Dan leaned back and looked at her. “I can’t believe how calm you are,” Dan said. “I fully expected you to be flipping out.” He stopped and focused on Jim. “She doesn’t know?”

“No,” Jim said quietly.

Trixie shifted her gaze between them. Her gaze stuck with Jim and her stomach began to knot. Jim also looked like he was going to be sick. She wrote two words and handed the page to Jim

“What did she write?” Dan asked.

“Tell me,” Jim said. He lowered the notebook and finally looked her in the eye. He took a deep breath. “It was Honey and Di.”

Trixie felt as if she had been stabbed. She doubled over, trying to fight the urge to be sick. She couldn’t understand why they would do that to her. She had always treated them with kindness, and for some unknown reason, they had done something so dangerous that she could have injured. She was confused about how things reached this point.

“No,” Dan said, sinking in front of her, his hands holding hers tight. “This is not your fault. They made the decision to do this. If they had thought about the consequences of their actions, then they would’ve realized they were wrong.  But this is not your fault. You did nothing to deserve any of this. Those responsible will be punished because of their actions and you shouldn’t feel badly because of their poor choices.”

Trixie nodded, but still felt awful that this was happening.

“Do you want to continue out the day or go home?” Jim asked quietly.

“I think I’ll stay. There are only a couple classes left,” Trixie wrote.

“Are you sure? We can take you home if you want,” Dan said.

“It’s only a couple of hours,” Trixie wrote.

“Okay,” Dan said.

Trixie glanced at Jim and was well aware that Honey’s actions had hurt him. She reached over and hooked her arm around his. She squeezed his hand. She felt terrible that he was obviously feeling guilty for what Honey did. He lifted his head and looked at her.

“It’s all right,” Trixie mouthed.

“This should have never happened,” Jim said sadly.

“She is old enough to know right from wrong,” Dan said. “And because of her choices, she has to suffer the consequences.”

“Dad is going to be livid.”

Trixie quickly wrote on the paper and handed it to Jim.

He read it aloud. “Can we get out of here?”  Jim looked at her. “We should clear it with the nurse.”

Dan turned from his place at the foot of the bed and waved to the nurse. She came over and Dan asked, “Is it all right if we leave?”

“Trixie, how are you doing?” the nurse asked.

“I’m okay,” Trixie mouthed.

“I did talk to your parents and they said that if you wanted to go home, that was fine, and if you wanted to stay and finish your classes, that is fine too. They said the decision was yours.”

Trixie was surprised the choice was hers. She figured her parents would insist she go home. She looked at her watch and saw she only had one class left for the day. She really didn’t feel bad. She had been given a good fright and things could have turned out much worse, but she was okay.

Trixie wrote on the paper and Jim said, “She wants to go to class.”

“All right,” the nurse said. “But your parents want you to go straight home afterward.”

Trixie nodded.

The nurse glanced at her watch. “The period ends in about 10 minutes. You can hang out here until the bell.”

“Thank you,” Dan said.

The nurse walked away.

“We’ll meet you outside your classroom at the end of the day,” Dan said.

“No. Meet me at my locker.”

“Trixie,” Jim began.

“I’ll be fine. Nothing will happen. Trust me.”

“I do trust you,” Jim said. “I don’t trust anyone else.”

Trixie smiled. She cupped Jim’s chin in her hand and gave him a kiss. When they broke apart, he didn’t seem as sad as before.

“Just be careful,” Jim said.

“I will be,” she wrote.

At the end of the day, Trixie met Jim and Dan at her locker as agreed. They quickly gathered their things and left the building. The ride to Crabapple Farm passed in silence. They pulled into the driveway and as soon as the car came to a stop, Peter and Helen exited the house.

Trixie was quickly hugged by her parents. When they leaned back, she mouthed, “I’m okay.”

“We were just so worried,” Helen said, moving the curls back from her daughter’s face. “You could have been seriously hurt.”

“I’m okay,” Trixie repeated.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be back at school,” Peter said. “This could have been deadly. Your life is more valuable than making the school district enforce its own rules.”

Trixie stepped back shaking her head. She grabbed her notebook and started writing. She glanced up at Jim and he read aloud over her shoulder.

“I understand your concern for my safety, but I have to do this. So many people have been the victims of bullies and this has to stop. If I can do something so no one has to go through what’s been done to me, then it’s a victory. I need you to support me on this. I can understand if you can’t, but this is a fight I need to face. I’m not going to run and hide. People need to know that if they stand up for what is right, change will happen.”

Trixie looked at her parents.

“We stand beside you, Trixie,” Peter said.  “We just don’t want anything else to happen to you.”

“I will be careful. I promise.”

“You’d better be,” Peter said.

Trixie nodded.

“And Dan, we really appreciate you being there to help Trixie,” Helen said. “If you hadn’t been, it could’ve been really bad.”

“I’m glad I could be there to help,” Dan said.

“How are you, Jim?” Peter asked.

“You look a little pale,” Helen observed.

“I’m sorry this happened,” Jim said sadly.

“Jim, this is not your fault,” Helen said. “You did nothing for this to be happening to Trixie. You’ve only cared about her and should not feel responsible for the actions of others.”

Trixie moved to Jim and leaned into his side. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“I feel badly because it was Honey,” Jim said. “I know she knows right from wrong, but she purposely tried to hurt someone and I just feel awful that she has lost that respect for others.”

“Unfortunately for Honey, her choices have consequences, but she has also hopefully learned a valuable lesson,” Dan said.

“I’m just shocked she did it,” Jim said. “I think Dad is going to blow his top over this one.

Trixie quickly wrote and handed the page to Jim who chuckled.

“Thanks, Trix, but I should probably go home for dinner,” Jim said. “This will probably be bad and Honey is going to be upset. I should at least be there for her.”

“You aren’t going to tell her that her actions were justified, are you?” Dan asked incredulously.

“Oh, no,” Jim admitted. “I’m angry at her for trying to hurt someone else and that’s not going to change. But I am her brother.”

“If you change your mind, Jim, you are more than welcome to join us,” Helen said.

“Thank you, Mrs. B.,” Jim said. “But I should get home.” He looked at Trixie. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

Trixie nodded.

Jim looked at Dan. “Do you need a ride?”

“If you don’t mind,” Dan said. “I have a list of chores to do before sunset.”

“Not a problem,” Jim said.

Dan looked at Trixie. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Trixie nodded again.

She watched them climb into the car and leave Crabapple Farm. When they were out of sight, she headed inside with her parents.

That evening after dinner, Trixie retreated to her room to get her homework done. She had her computer on and was waiting for Jim to log on for their evening chat.

Beep.

Trixie looked at the monitor and saw Jim’s screen name had appeared.

JWFII: You awake?

Shamus1: Of course.

JWFII: Sorry I’m late.

Shamus1: You’re not late. Is everything OK?

JWFII: Yeah.

Shamus1: Jim?

JWFII: *sigh* It was not a happy dinner here tonight.

Shamus1: I’m sorry.

JWFII: You didn’t do anything wrong.

Shamus1: I just feel bad this is happening.

JWFII: As I said before, she made this decision. She has to take responsibility for her actions.

Shamus1: You’re right.

JWFII: So, how is the homework going?

Shamus1: OK. It’s almost done.

JWFII: That’s good. Do you want to do something this weekend?

Shamus1: Sure. Do you have something in mind?

JWFII: I’ll be right back. Dad just called me.

Shaums1: OK.

Trixie went back to her English assignment. She couldn’t wait to be done with her homework.

Just as she finished answering the last question, she heard Jim log off the computer. She glanced at the computer confused. She thought Jim was coming right back.

Trixie organized her homework and set the books on her desk. She picked up the laptop and saw she had new mail. She opened the folder and saw the message was from Jim.

She clicked the message and it read: Trixie, sorry I didn’t say good night. Dad needs me and it’s going to take a while. Let’s meet at the old schoolhouse for a sunrise walk. See you then. Jim.

A smile filled Trixie’s face. The walk and seeing the sunrise sounded perfect.

Before sunrise, Trixie headed to the schoolhouse. She had left a note on the kitchen table so her parents wouldn’t worry. She shined the flashlight on the ground to avoid tripping since the sun had not come up yet.

She neared the schoolhouse and saw a faint glow. Jim was waiting.

Trixie stepped inside and scanned the room for Jim. The door slammed shut and she spun around.

Amelia.

“Hi, Trixie,” Amelia said brightly. “It’s so nice to see you.”

Trixie watched her warily as she kept her distance. Obviously she had been set up again.

“Ah, you’re probably wondering where Jim is,” Amelia said. “Unfortunately, it looks like he has abandoned you.”

Trixie remained still. She knew Amelia was lying. Trixie was certain Jim knew nothing about this.

“But that’s something you need to get used to,” Amelia said. “You see, you’re alone and will always be alone. No one wants anything to do with you because all you do is ruin their lives.”

Trixie allowed Amelia to keep going in the hopes that her family would wake and find her note. She hoped Jim would come to the farm and realize she wasn’t there.

“Do not think Jim will come to the rescue,” Amelia said. “Jim and the Wheelers are in the City. From what I heard, a close friend of the family died and they are there to offer support in this trying time.”

Trixie didn’t believe her.

“It’s a shame you won’t remember your place in this community,” Amelia said, leaning back against the closed door. “If you did, I think you would be much happier. You need to stop living in your fantasy world where you believe someone like Jim would want to be with someone like you. Jim is destined for greatness and for him to achieve that, he needs the right person by his side. You know that’s not you.”

Trixie knew Amelia was trying to goad her. But she wasn’t biting. She just had to be patient. Amelia would leave and then she could return to the farm.

“You know, people may miss you at first, but in the end, they’ll realize they are much better off without you. And this all could have been avoided. It’s just a shame it has to end this way.”

Amelia stepped away from the door and the smile turned to an evil smirk. “Enjoy your day.”

Before Trixie could blink, Amelia yanked the door open, grabbed the lantern, dashed out the door, slamming it shut behind her.

Trixie ran to the door and pulled, but the door was locked. She spun around looking at the windows, but each one was boarded over from the outside. She moved to the door and tried ramming it with her shoulder a couple of times, but there was no budging it. For how old the building was, it was remarkably sturdy.

She let out a sigh and wondered how she was going to get out. She didn’t put her exact destination in the note she left for her parents. No one knew where she was. Trixie was certain that after a while her parents would question Jim, but he wouldn’t know either.

This is much worse than the night Jim, Brian and I were stuck here when we searched for Reddy, she thought. We were together that time. We had food and a fire.

She looked and saw the wood stove was still there, but the chimney had been removed, making it useless.

This is getting better by the minute. Amelia had to have been planning this for a while. She took anything I could have used as a signal.

Trixie stopped and stared in the direction of the bell.

She probably doesn’t know about the bell. She moved to where the rope should be. Looking up she saw that the rope was gone. Trixie knew she was truly stuck.

Moving to the wall across from the door, she sank to the floor and leaned against the wall. She closed her eyes. She believed that Honey had been on Jim’s computer and had set her up. She figured this was retaliation because Honey got in trouble at school.

I didn’t do anything to her to be treated this way. She tried to push me down the stairs and there were witnesses. I had no idea who was responsible until Dan and Jim told me. And when they find me and learn she was involved, they are going to go ballistic.

At least I haven’t been physically hurt with this stunt. Once they realize I’m okay, they may not be as angry. I just wish I knew what Amelia’s infatuation is with Jim. Does she just think that because she is the mayor’s daughter that everyone needs to bow down to her and give her what she wants, when she wants it? She isn’t the mayor. She has to learn you can’t always have what you want. That is a fact that everyone has to accept at some point in life.

Trixie pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head there. She wondered if things would ever get back to normal.

Trixie heard the rattle of a door and lifted her head. She had fallen asleep. She heard muffled voices and hurried to the door to try to hear what they were saying.

“It doesn’t look like she’s here,” Jim said. “This place is secured.”

“Nothing looks tampered with so she must have gone somewhere else,” Dan said. “Mr. Maypenney had this boarded up and locked because he thought there were squatters trying to move in. He claimed he saw a lot of footprints.”

Trixie banged her fists against the wood, hoping the boys would hear her.

“Trixie?”

She banged even more.

“Hang on, Trixie. I need to find the key,” Dan said.

Trixie felt tears of relief run down her cheeks, glad they found her. When the knob turned and the door opened, Trixie rushed out into Jim’s arms.

“I’ve got you,” Jim whispered as he held her close.

Trixie clung to Jim as her body trembled.

“How did you get locked in there?” Dan asked.

Trixie lifted her head from Jim’s chest and turned it slightly to look at him.

“That’s not important right now,” Jim said. “She’s trembling and we need to get her home.”

“You’re right,” Dan said. “I’ll call Uncle Bill and Mr. B. to let them know we found her.”

Jim released his hold on her and Trixie shook even more. She looked at Jim and saw he was pulling off his sweatshirt. He pulled it over her head and over her shoulders. She put her arms through the sleeves.

“This should help until we get to the farm,” Jim said.

Trixie nodded.

“They’ll meet us there,” Dan said.

As Trixie turned walk away from the old schoolhouse, she was scooped up by Jim. She looked at him and he said, “I need to do this.”

Trixie nodded and wrapped her arm around his neck as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She allowed her eyes to close as Jim and Dan moved at a steady pace back to the farm.

She could feel the worry rolling off Jim in waves and knew when the story came out, the worry would turn to anger. She knew she could no longer trust anyone who spoke with her through the computer. Jim’s account had been hijacked and it showed her that anything could be used against her. She knew from here on out, conversations would have to be done face to face.

Trixie opened her eyes and could see Crabapple Farm. She wiggled in Jim’s grasp signaling to him to set her down.

“Okay,” Jim said as he stopped and set her gently down.

“What is it?” Dan asked.

Trixie straightened her clothes and looked at the two of them.

“I have no idea,” Jim said. “Are you ready to go?”

Trixie nodded and started walking.

“Trix, I can carry you,” Jim said. “I wasn’t getting tired.”

Trixie shook her head.

“I think she wants to arrive under her own power,” Dan said. “If you walk in carrying her, Mr. and Mrs. B. will freak.”

Trixie turned and nodded her head.

“I understand,” Jim said as he took hold of her hand and they continued to the house.

They cleared the tree line and headed for the kitchen door.

As soon as Trixie stepped inside, Peter and Helen were on their feet. They hurried to her and pulled her close. She clung to them, grateful that she had been found. Helen leaned back and looked her over with a critical eye. “Are you all right?”

Trixie nodded. She looked at Dan and moved her fingers as if she was typing.

“I’ll get it,” Dan said and headed upstairs.

“Where did you find her?” Peter asked as they sat down at the table.

“At the old schoolhouse,’ Jim answered as he sat down beside Trixie. “The building was locked from the outside.”

“How did you get in there?” Helen asked.

Dan returned and Trixie quickly turned on the computer.

“Let’s just say I was set up,” Trixie typed. “We need to call Mr. Richmond and Sergeant Molinson.”

“Really, Trixie?” Peter asked.

“I was set up.”

“Are you certain?” Helen asked.

Trixie nodded.

“I’ll make the calls,” Peter said and moved to the phone.

“If you knew it was a set-up, why did you go?” Jim asked.

Trixie looked at Jim and knew he needed to see the email.

She turned to the computer and quickly logged into her account. She opened the email from Jim and looked at him. Trixie watched his face as he read the words. She saw his gaze flick to the sender and his face went white at the realization of what had happened.

“I didn’t send that,” Jim said. He looked closer to the time stamp. “I was still with dad at that time.” He looked at her. “My computer was unplugged when I came back up. I figured I must have pulled the cord when I got up.”

Trixie knew in her heart that Jim was telling the truth.

“Can I see that for a moment?” Jim asked.

Trixie nodded.

Jim slid the computer in front of him and quickly began typing. Trixie watched as he pulled up his own email account. He went into his sent folder, but the message wasn’t there.

Jim sighed. “I have to call Dad.”

Trixie watched as Jim requested his father come down to the farm. She knew the conversation was going to be bad.

Within a short while, Drew Richmond, Wendell Molinson and Matthew Wheeler were sitting in the living room.

After recounting the events of the morning and the email from the previous evening, Trixie could see the worry on all of their faces.

The adults were quiet as they took it all in. Trixie did not like the silence.

“I am appalled that someone would use your computer to set Trixie up,” Matthew said. “I guess that means we need to put some more security protection on your computer.”

“I just need to lock my room,” Jim said.

“Trixie, did you think something was wrong with Jim’s email?” Sergeant Molinson asked.

Trixie shook her head as she began to type. “I had no clue. We had been talking and Jim excused himself when his Dad called him. We always talk this way at night since the phone is useless to me.”

“I don’t think this is safe for you now,” Peter said. “You were easily set up. If Jim had not stopped by the house…”

“So, you don’t want me to talk to anyone?”

“Trixie, that’s not what we’re saying,” Helen said.

“It seems that way,” Trixie typed and saw her hands begin to shake due to her frustration. She knew she couldn’t do this anymore. “Mr. Wheeler, I will write a report on how this computer works and get it to you next week.”

“There’s no rush,” Matthew said.

“I think I’ve done all I can with this,” Trixie typed. “Thank you.” Trixie closed the laptop, unplugged it, stood up and handed it to Matthew.

She left the living room, knowing no one would listen to her. She went out to the picnic table and sat down on the bench, her back to the house.

She hated this and began to doubt her ability to keep fighting. She wondered if it was really worth it.

I didn’t know I was being set up, Trixie thought. Jim and I make plans that way all the time. I never thought someone would use someone else’s email account to lie to them. I guess I am just naïve.  I guess it would be easier to not talk to anyone since doing so just gets me into more trouble. Maybe once the school year is over, Uncle Andrew will let me live with him. I can’t live like this anymore.

“Trix?”

She continued staring at the table, her fingernail following the grain of the board. She really didn’t want to talk to anyone.

She saw Jim sit down across from her.

“Trixie,” he said softly.

The gentleness of his tone forced her to look up.

“They’re worried,” Jim said. “All of us were worried and still are.”

Trixie saw Jim had brought paper and a pen with him. She wrote three words: “It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it does,” Jim said.

“Not anymore.”

Trixie got up and went inside.

On Monday Trixie rode the bus to school. She had gotten up early, prepared her own breakfast and lunch and was ready to go. She had remained in her bedroom through the weekend, except for meals. A couple of times, her parents tried to talk to her, but she asked to do it later. She hoped it would never happen.

When Trixie got to school, she headed to her locker and then to her homeroom. She knew she had to be there and hoped the remaining days would quickly pass.

The teachers noticed she didn’t have the computer and avoided asking her questions. She was happy with that.

As lunch time neared, she tried to think of some place to go as she did not want to be in the cafeteria. She knew the rumor mill would be going full blast if she didn’t sit with Jim and Dan.

Turning the corner, Trixie came face to face with Amelia and Cora.

“Well, if it isn’t the resident do-gooder,” Amelia said.

Trixie’s expression remained blank. She was not going to engage them.

“Does the little detective have nothing to say?” Cora asked.

“Maybe she feels really proud that Honey and Di have been suspended?” Amelia asked. “And they didn’t do anything.”

Trixie remained still as she stared straight ahead. She was not going to let them get to her.

“What’s wrong, Trixie? Your protectors have had enough of you and figure you can wander the halls on your own?” Cora asked.

“Jim is probably furious she got his sister suspended,” Amelia said. “One of the biggest events as a senior is the prom and all our plans have been ruined. He must be disgusted that someone would do that to him.”

“But I’m sure you can help him get through it,” Cora said.

Amelia smiled. “Of course I can. And once graduation is over, we’re going on a cruise to the Mediterranean.”

“That sounds heavenly,” Cora said.

“It’ll be the perfect vacation,” Amelia said. “Especially if it means getting him away from these poor country folk.”

“That’s probably best when you know they won’t amount to anything.”

“At least Brian and Mart have realistic goals,” Amelia said. “Being a detective is stupid.”

“I don’t think she’s listening,” Cora said.

“Oh, she is,” Amelia said and lowered her voice as she stared into Trixie’s eyes. “And she will learn to stay in her place and to leave people who are out of her league alone.”

The bell rang and the girls walked past her.

Trixie remained where she was. She knew they were right. Everything was the truth. She was out of her league. She felt as if it was time to crawl in a hole and never come out.

“Trixie?”

She blinked and saw Dan standing in front of her.

“I was trying to catch up to you to see if you were joining us for lunch.”

Trixie shook her head.

“How about we go somewhere quiet?” Dan suggested as he took her hand and led her down the hall.

They exited the building and found a secluded corner in the sunshine for the warm spring day.

Trixie sat down and stared at the ground.

“Trixie, I need you to know that I know you didn’t plan to be set up,” Dan said. “You expected to see Jim and you trusted he would be there since he sent the email. I also know you had a plan in your head about how to schedule future meetings. I do think your parents overreacted, but they did because they love you so much and they don’t want to see you get hurt.” Dan reached over and took her hand sin his. “Neither do I. Neither does Jim. And he’s worried sick about you. He was stunned to learn you took the bus this morning. And he’s blaming himself for what happened because the message was sent from his email.” Dan touched her chin and lifted her head so he could see her eyes. “He’s afraid he’s losing his best friend.”

“I’ll just ruin his life,” Trixie mouthed.

“I think he would feel his life was ruined without you.”

Trixie couldn’t believe Dan was using the guilt card.

“It won’t work,” Trixie mouthed. “We’re too different.”

“You two are more alike than you think,” Dan said. “Please don’t rush to a decision, okay?”

Trixie stared at him and knew there was no arguing. She sighed and nodded.

Dan smiled. “Good.”

When classes ended for the day, Trixie made her way to her locker. She wanted to just toss her notebook in and leave. She assumed she had homework, but because she was preoccupied, she hadn’t written anything down.

Rounding the corner, Trixie saw Jim was coming from the opposite direction. She was shocked at his appearance. His face was pale and his hair a mess. She could see the dark circles under his eyes. He barely acknowledged anyone he passed.

Trixie reached her locker and quickly spun the dial. She tossed her notebook in and closed the door. Turning around, she came face to face with Jim. Up close he looked even worse, as if he had not slept in several days.

“Hey, Trixie,” Jim said as he looked at her. “Did you want a ride home?”

Trixie heard a touch of hope in his voice and could see he was preparing himself for her refusal. She hated seeing him like this.

“Would you mind?” Trixie mouthed.

“It’s not a problem,” Jim said. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Trixie nodded and mouthed, “I’m ready.”

They walked out to the parking lot and got into Jim’s car. The ride to Crabapple Farm was silent.

She glanced at Jim several times and saw that he had a tight grip on the steering wheel. She could feel the awkwardness and felt badly for alienating Jim when he had been standing up for her through all of it.

Trixie knew Dan had been right. Jim was afraid he would lose his best friend and she didn’t want him to feel that way.

Jim turned into the driveway and stopped right by the garage. He put the car in park and stared at the garage doors. Trixie released her seatbelt and got out. She made her way around the front of the card and stood by the drivers’ door. After a moment, Jim looked up at her.

“Come with me,” Trixie mouthed.

“I have to get home.”

Trixie reached through the open window and took his hand. She gave it a squeeze. She mouthed, “Please.”

Jim stared at her for a moment and then sighed. He shut off the engine and climbed out after grabbing a notebook and pen.

Trixie held onto his hand as they made their way over to the picnic table. They sat side by side with their backs to the house. She opened the notebook to a blank page and wrote, “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Jim said quietly.

“I do.”

“No,” Jim said.

“Jim, please let me get this out,” Trixie wrote. “Without interruptions.” She looked at him and he nodded. “I am sorrier than you will ever know. Everything that has happened is getting to me, especially the fact that my parents believe I carelessly went into a set up. When I realized you weren’t there, I knew email was no longer safe. If someone wanted to make plans with me from here on out, I would only do it face to face. They never even let me tell them what my plan was. But they think that I was reckless.”

She felt the tears building, but she knew she had to keep going. Her hand trembled as the words appeared on the page.

“I know everyone is worried about me. I was terrified being locked in the schoolhouse, fearing no one would find me until it was too late. But you and Dan did. And then I did the worst thing possible.” She glanced up and saw Jim was watching the words.

“I alienated my best friend because I felt there was no one I could trust and that no one wanted to be on my side. But I was terribly wrong. You have stood by my side through all this. You could have easily turned on me or just walked away, but you stuck it out.”

Trixie’s hand shook even more. “I know my apology is just words and if you can’t forgive me, I really do understand. I have only myself to blame and will accept the consequences of my actions. You didn’t deserve to be treated this way and I will forever regret what I’ve done.”

She set the pen down and flexed her hand, her fingers throbbing from writing so quickly. Jim did not say anything and Trixie knew that forgiveness was not going to happen. She closed the notebook and placed the pen on top.

“Trix.”

She slowly lifted her head and looked at Jim. Her guilt at his haggard appearance cut her like a knife. She felt so badly about what she had done. She was certain he would never accept her apology.

“You have no need to apologize. You did nothing wrong,” Jim said, reaching over and brushing the back of his hand down her cheek. “Trixie, I am sorry that I allowed it to happen. Using my email to set you up had never crossed my mind. I feel awful that you went through that when you had been expecting to meet me. I don’t know how you could ever trust me again after the other night.”

Trixie took hold of Jim’s hand that had touched her face and gave it a squeeze. With her free hand she flipped the notebook open.

She wrote, “I trust you because I know you would never do anything to hurt me. Please don’t feel guilty for what happened.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Jim said quietly.

“Could you at least try? For me?”

Jim gave her a small smile. “I’ll try.”

“Are we okay?”

Jim nodded. “Yeah.”

“You sure?”

“We’re fine,” Jim said and looked at his watch. “Is there anything else? I have to meet with Dad about Friday.”

Trixie shook her head.

Jim got up from the table and headed for his car. A moment later he backed out of the driveway and was gone.

Over the next two days, Trixie realized they were not fine. During the school day, the only time she saw Jim was at lunch, and while they sat at the same table, he was engrossed in several notebooks. He had explained he was preparing for his interview on Friday. But she felt there was more to it.

She could hear all the seniors talking about the prom and figured Jim was disappointed that he would not be attending. He had not asked her to go and she figured he thought she would decline his invitation following everything she had been through since September.

Trixie didn’t think it was right for Jim to miss a high school tradition because of her.

After Jim dropped her off, she went inside and retrieved her report for Mr. Wheeler. She wanted to give it to him so that he could have the techs review the notes and make changes if needed.

She reached the Manor House and Miss Trask pointed her to the study. She stepped into the doorway and saw Matthew was seated behind the desk and Madeleine was sitting on one of the leather couches. Trixie tapped the door and they both looked up.

“Trixie!” Matthew said. “It’s good to see you. Please come in.”

She moved toward him and handed over her findings. He looked at it briefly and then at her.

“This is your report?”

Trixie nodded and quickly wrote on the notebook she carried with her. “I wanted to get it done so that you knew how well it worked.”

“I appreciate you doing this for me,” Matthew said. “Getting a first-hand account is always beneficial when I think about investing in a new project.”

“You’re welcome,” Trixie wrote. She offered them both a wave and then headed for the door.

“Trixie, wait,” Madeleine said.

She turned and looked at both of them.

“Do you have a minute to talk to us?” Madeleine asked, casting a quick glance at Matthew.

Trixie nodded and wondered what was coming.

She moved further into the study and sat down in the chair beside Madeleine. Matthew left his seat behind the desk and moved around to the front. As she watched them, uneasiness filled the pit of her stomach.

“Trixie, I hope that what we talk about can stay between us,” Madeleine said.

Trixie nodded again.

Madeleine glanced at Matthew and then back at Trixie. “We were wondering if something has happened between you and Jim,” Madeleine said. “We did ask Jim, but he said everything was fine. But we know it’s not just by looking at him.”

“We don’t think he’s been sleeping well and he isn’t eating much at meals,” Matthew added.

Trixie sighed. She had known something was wrong. She began writing. “We talked on Monday and he said everything was fine with us. But he’s been distant, claiming he was preparing for his interview.”

“That scholarship is not the most important thing. He shouldn’t lose sleep over it,” Matthew said. “I would gladly just give him the money.”

Trixie shook her head. “I don’t think it’s the interview.”

“What is it?” Madeleine asked.

Trixie stared at them as she considered telling her suspicions.

“Does it have anything to do with what happened on Saturday?” Matthew asked.

Trixie raised her hand and kept her forefinger and thumb a hair’s breadth apart as she nodded.

“What happened wasn’t his fault,” Madeleine said. “He shouldn’t feel guilty about that.”

“Unfortunately, Jim doesn’t see it that way. He knows it was his email that started the events,” Matthew said.

“He shouldn’t think that way,” Madeleine stated.

“Trixie, is there something else bothering him?” Matthew asked.

Trixie remained still for a moment and wrote one word. She turned the page to Madeleine.

“You think he wants to go to prom?” Madeleine asked.

Trixie nodded her head.

“Did he talk about the prom with you at all?” Madeleine asked.

Trixie shook her head. She quickly wrote, “One day at lunch Amelia sat down with us. She said she was narrowing down colors for her dress. When the decision was made, she said she’d let Jim know. He told her he wasn’t going because of the interview.”

Madeleine looked at Matthew. “Do you think he purposely agreed to do the interview on the day of the prom?”

Matthew looked at Trixie. “If I offend you with this question, please let me know.”

Trixie motioned for him to proceed.

“Trixie, if Jim had asked, would you have gone to the prom with him?”

Trixie nodded. She quickly wrote. “I would’ve gone in a second so that Jim wouldn’t miss a high school tradition.”

The adults were quiet for a moment and Matthew said, “Thank you Trixie. We don’t need to let Jim know we had this conversation.”

Trixie nodded.

 

To be continued….