Major Changes

 

Fourteen-year-old Trixie Belden settled in her usual place on the bus to head to Sleepyside Junior-Senior High School where she was a freshman.

 

As the bus traveled along she glanced at the others sitting around her. Her brother Mart, who was only 11 months older, was sitting with Dan Mangan in the seat in front of her. In the seat across from her were Honey Wheeler and Diana Lynch.

 

The five of them were members of the Bob-Whites of the Glen, a semi-secret club they had formed more than a year earlier. There were two other members of the club, her eldest brother Brian, and Honey’s older brother, Jim Frayne. The two of them had gone to school earlier that morning in the Bob-White station wagon.

 

As she sat in the seat, Trixie thought about all they had accomplished the previous year. They had held several events to raise money for worthwhile causes and had a lot of fun in the process. The events ranged from a bicycle rally to raise funds for the art department to an antique show with funds going to UNICEF.

 

The planning and implementation involved a lot of time and work, but in the end, they had all agreed that the success of the events had been worth it.

 

But we haven’t done anything since last spring, she thought. We haven’t done much of anything. We’ve talked about having a meeting several times since school let out, but haven’t had one. We haven’t had one since classes resumed either.

 

I know we’ve all been busy this summer. Brian and Mart returned to the camp as counselors again. Jim had taken a part time job at the school this summer working with children who needed help with their reading. Di had been away with her family for several weeks visiting her Uncle Monty in Arizona. Jim and Honey had also gone on several trips with their parents. With everyone on the go, it had been very quiet.

 

But when school resumed, I figured things would pick up again and we would return to our normal routines…but we didn’t. Everyone always seems to be busy and can’t do things. I can’t remember when we last went horseback riding together.

 

As the bus pulled to a stop in front of the school, they all got out and hurried inside. Trixie watched Honey and Di hurry into the building together, unaware of anyone around them. Trixie wondered what had changed with all of them to grow apart so quickly.

 

Entering the school, Trixie made her way to her locker. She dropped off her backpack and collected the books she would need for her first class. As she closed her locker, she heard her name being called out. Turning, she saw Jim Frayne making his way toward her.

 

He reached her and leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Good morning.”

 

“Morning, Jim.”

 

“How are you today?”

 

“I’m fine. You?”

 

“I’m okay. A little tired from studying. But I’m all right.”

 

“Believe me, I know,” Trixie said. “I was up late last night reviewing my notes for a history quiz.”

 

“You’ll do great,” Jim said. “You’ve really been working hard to keep your grades up this year.”

 

“I just hope I can keep doing it.”

 

“You will,” Jim said, smiling. “So, are we still on for the movies tomorrow night?”

 

“Absolutely,” Trixie said. “I’m looking forward to it. The picture has definitely gotten some great reviews.”

 

“Great,” Jim said.

 

The warning bell rang. Trixie said, “I’ll see you at lunch.”

 

“I’ll see you later,” Jim said and they headed off to their homerooms.

 

* * * * *

 

At lunch, the seven of them gathered at their unusual table. Honey and Di were sitting on one side of the table with Brian sitting next to Honey. Across from Di was Mart. Dan was seated next to him with Jim on his other side and then Trixie.

 

As the lunch period continued on, Trixie watched Honey and Di in a heated conversation that was very hushed.

As she watched them continue to talk, she felt left out. The three of them used to always share things. She thought, I can’t remember the last time we did that. I really think it was before summer break. We haven’t been spending much time together either. Maybe we’re overdue for a sleepover to catch up. I think I’ll check with Moms when I get home today to see if Honey and Di can sleepover Saturday night. I know Moms wouldn’t mind, but I’d rather ask first.

 

“You’re awfully quiet,” Jim said, breaking into her thoughts.

 

Trixie turned and looked at Jim. “I’m just thinking. I have a history quiz this afternoon and I’m just trying to remember everything we’ve gone over.”

 

“You’ll do fine,” Jim said, reaching over and squeezing her hand. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about."

 

Trixie smiled at Jim, a feeling of pure happiness washing over her knowing that he really did care. “Thanks, Jim.”

“You’re welcome.” Jim smiled in return.

 

* * * * *

 

The next morning, Trixie rode the bus to school with Mart and Dan. There had been no sign of Honey and Di and she figured they had either gone in early or were going to be late.

 

When they arrived at school, Trixie made her way to her locker. As she drew near her locker, she saw Honey was at her own. She moved toward her friend.

 

“Hey, Honey.”

 

“Hello, Trixie.”

 

“We missed you on the bus this morning,” Trixie said.

 

“I actually rode in with Jim this morning,” Honey said. “I wanted to get a head start on my history project.”

 

“I probably should have done the same thing,” Trixie admitted. “But I’ll probably stay late a couple days next week to get it done.”

 

“I may do that as well,” Honey said.

 

“I’m glad I caught up with you this morning,” Trixie said. “I was wondering if you wanted to come over tomorrow night and have a girls giggle-and-gab session? It’s been so long since we’ve done that.”

 

“I wish I could,” Honey said. “But I have other plans. I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s all right,” Trixie said, trying to hide her disappointment. “Maybe another night.”

 

“That sounds good,” Honey said and the warning bell rang.

 

“All right,” Trixie said. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

 

Trixie made her way down the hall feeling a bit let down. She had wanted to spend time with Honey and was sad that it wasn’t going to happen that weekend. Up ahead she spotted Di by her locker. She figured she’d see if Di wanted to have the giggle-and-gab session with her.

 

“Hey, Di,” Trixie said when she neared her.

 

“Hi, Trixie,” Di said closing her locker door. “How are you?”

 

“Not bad,” Trixie answered. “You?”

 

“I’m all right.”

 

“That’s good,” Trixie said. “Di, I was wondering if you wanted to spend tomorrow night at Crabapple Farm and we’ll have a giggle-and-gab session?”

 

“Oh, Trixie, I’m sorry. I wish I could,” Di said. “I already have plans for tomorrow night.”

 

“That’s okay,” Trixie said. “I knew it was a last minute thing. Maybe another weekend.”

 

“Sure,” Di said.

 

“You two better get a move on or you’ll be late for homeroom,” Principal Stratton said as he approached them.

 

“Okay,” the girls chorused and headed down the hall.

 

“See you at lunch,” Trixie said and made her way to her homeroom with just seconds to spare.

 

* * * * *

 

That evening, Trixie and Jim left the movie theater hand-in-hand. They had enjoyed the action adventure and were happy they had finally seen it together. As they made their way down the street, they headed into the park that would take them over to Wimpy’s for something to eat.

 

As they walked through the park, their pace slowed. The midnight sky was hidden from view by the blanket of leaves stretched over their heads.

 

“You know, I’m glad we went out tonight,” Jim said.

 

“So am I,” Trixie agreed. “We haven’t had a lot of free time to spend together.”

 

“I know.”

 

“We have been so busy with classes and everything else.”

 

“That’s for sure,” Jim admitted. “But at least we’ve been able to make some time for each other.”

 

Trixie stopped walking and looked at Jim. A bit of sadness filled her voice. “I’m glad of that.”

 

Jim looked at her with a critical eye. “What is it, Trix? What’s made you so sad all of a sudden? You’re having a good time, right?”

 

“I’m having a great time,” Trixie said quickly. “Honest.”

 

“Then what is it?” Jim asked gently as he reached a hand over and cupped her face in it. She felt his thumb move slowly over her cheek, back and forth. “You can talk to me, Trix. I’ll listen.”

 

Trixie sighed as she looked at Jim. She knew she could talk to Jim about anything, but she really wasn’t sure what was making her feel a bit down.

 

“I guess I’m just thinking that in a year from now, we won’t be able to do this,” Trixie finally said. “You’ll be off at college and I’ll still be here in Sleepyside.”

 

Jim reached over and pulled Trixie close. She could smell his cologne and took a deep breath. “We may be apart, but you’ll be all I think about. Besides, we don’t need to think about that now. We have a year until we have to deal with that. Okay?”

 

“All right,” Trixie said. She leaned back and looked up at Jim. “Come on. Let’s get to Wimpy’s before all the food is gone.”

 

“That would only be a concern if Mart’s there,” Jim said, taking her hand as they resumed walking.

 

“True,” Trixie said.

 

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” Jim asked. “If not, maybe we could do something?”

 

“That would be fun, but it would have to wait until tomorrow night,” Trixie said. “Moms asked me to watch Bobby tomorrow afternoon so she can head into town to run some errands.”

 

“How about a horseback ride at dusk and then watch a video in the den?” Jim suggested.

 

“That’s sounds perfectly perfect.”

 

“Great,” Jim said. “I’ll have the horses saddled and ready to go.”

 

“I can’t wait.”

 

They reached Wimpy’s and Jim opened the door for her. Together they went inside and ordered something to eat.

 

* * * * *

 

The next evening, once Trixie finished the dishes, she made her way to the Manor House, heading straight for the stables. She saw that Jim had Jupiter and Susie saddled and standing by the fence of the corral. Jim was tightening the cinch on Jupiter’s saddle.

 

“Hey,” Trixie said as she neared him.

 

“Hey yourself,” Jim said, turning to face her. “Are you ready to go?”

 

“Absolutely.” Trixie patted Susie on the neck.

 

“Then let’s go.”

 

They mounted their horses and then headed off into the darkening preserve. They rode in companionable silence, listening to the sounds of dusk settling in around them. Crickets made their chattering sounds, intertwined with the occasional hoot of an owl.

 

They had been riding about a half hour when Trixie was about to ask Jim something. But before she could, there was a flash of light and a clap of thunder.

 

They stopped the horses. Trixie looked back at Jim as he said, “We should get back to the house.”

 

“You’re right,” Trixie said. “We don’t need to get caught in a storm.”

 

They turned their horses around and headed back to the stables. Just as they cleared the tree line, the sky opened up and the rain fell in sheets. Moving as quickly, but as safely, as possible, they headed for the stables and led the horses inside.

 

Jim found a couple of towels to dry themselves off a bit, and then they got to work cleaning the tack and making sure the horses were comfortable.

 

Once they were finished, they closed up the stable and ran up the wet path to the Manor House. When they stepped inside, they quickly slid out of their wet shoes.

 

“Come upstairs, Trixie, and I’ll find you some dry clothes to wear. I’ll toss ours in the dryer while we watch the movie.”

 

“Sounds like a plan,” Trixie said, brushing her wet hair out of her eyes.

 

Trixie followed Jim up to his room and stood in the doorway as he pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. He handed her the clothing and said, “I’ll meet you in the den. I’ll toss our clothes in the dryer then.”

 

“All right.”

 

She turned and made her way over to the bathroom. She quickly stepped in and slid out of her wet clothes. After drying off and changing into the clothes Jim had given her, she left the bathroom.

 

As she stepped into the hall, she heard laughter coming from Honey’s room. There were two people in the room and as the laughter continued, she recognized the voices. They belonged to Honey and Di.

 

“Could you believe she waited until the last minute to invite us to stay over?” Honey asked.

 

“Oh, I know,” Di said. “But we were honest when we said we already had plans.”

 

“We just didn’t elaborate and say our plans were with each other,” Honey said.

 

“And I’ve enjoyed it being just the two of us” Di said. “I mean, Trixie is fun and all, but she’s not interested in the same things we are.”

 

“I know,” Honey said. “Anytime we start talking about boys, she gets this disgusted look on her face. It’s always made me wonder if she really likes boys.”

 

“I know,” Di said. “And it totally surprised me that she and Jim have been dating. I figured Jim would want someone better than Trixie. She’s just not in our league.”

 

“She never has been and never will be,” Honey said.

 

Trixie was stunned. She never expected Honey or Di to talk about her that way.

 

“And she isn’t pretty,” Di said. “She’s always wearing jeans and a T-shirt. If you want to be noticed by guys, you need to make yourself look nice. And her hair is always a tangled mess. She could tame those curls if she would just run a brush through her hair.”

 

“We both know that’s not Trixie. She’d rather be out there with the guys instead of watching.”

 

“It’s nice to hang out with the guys from time to time, but I’d rather be out shopping,” Di said.

 

“Me too,” Honey said. “And look at how much trouble she has gotten into in the past year. I mean, how many times has she gotten a lecture from her parents or Sergeant Molinson because of it? I mean, she may be a nice person, but I don’t want to be associated with that. I have my future to think about.”

 

“Exactly,” Di said. “And we have to be careful ourselves. Our reputations are important here in Sleepyside. We can’t do anything to have people looking down on us.”

 

“Are you saying we should completely ignore Trixie?” Honey asked.

 

“I didn’t say that,” Di said. “And there’s no real way we can do that, or we’ll be making Brian and Mart mad. We could still be nice to her, but just not invite her to do things with us, like we’ve already been doing.”

 

Trixie was completely stunned. She couldn’t believe Honey and Di didn’t want to be her friend. She was flabbergasted.

 

Knowing she didn’t want to hear anymore, Trixie turned and made her way down to the den.

 

As she stepped into the room, she saw Jim standing by the television. He turned to her. “Here, I’ll go toss them in the dryer. They should be dry in about an hour.”

 

Trixie let Jim take her wet clothes and he left the room. She stood where she was, trying to comprehend what she had heard. She just couldn’t believe it.

 

I honestly don’t understand what has happened, she thought. We were all getting along so well. I thought Honey I were best friends. But I guess we’re not. I just wish I understood why all this is happening now. It really doesn’t make sense. I don’t think I’ve done anything to make Honey not want to be my best friend anymore. I mean, I know we are really different. She’s from a wealthy family and spent a lot of time at boarding school, while I went to public school and always had to watch where money was spent. But even so, we can still be friends. We don’t have to be the same. Each person can be unique and still have friends that are different from them.

I think those differences are what’s making Honey, and even Di, not want to be my friend. But what is so wrong with me being who I am? I honestly don’t do anything to put people in harm’s way. I only want to help people. But I think what’s bothering me the most is the comments they said about me. They hurt more than anything else, probably because they came from my friends…or who I thought were my friends.

“Trixie?” a voice asked, interrupting her thoughts.

 

Blinking, she looked at Jim. She saw that he was looking at her in concern. She asked, “Did you say something?”

 

“Are you all right?” Jim asked, reaching up and cupping her face in his hand. “You’re awfully pale. And your face is cold.”

 

“I’m okay,” Trixie lied.

 

“Come on,” Jim said, leading her over to the couch and making her sit down. He took the afghan off the back of the couch and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Cook is bringing us some hot chocolate. That should warm you up.”

 

Trixie nodded, but didn’t think it would do much to warm her up. She watched as Jim moved to the entertainment center and set the movie to play. He moved back to the couch and settled beside her. She leaned against him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tried to enjoy their time together.

 

She just couldn’t believe how hearing one conversation could lead to major changes in one’s life. She had no idea how she was going to deal with school come Monday.

 

* * * * *

 

Trixie rode her bicycle to school when Monday morning arrived. She had told her mother she wanted to get a head start on a history project that would be due in a few weeks. She had seen the skeptical look on her mother’s face, but there were no questions asked. However, Trixie knew those questions would come.

 

She also knew she would eventually end up riding the bus and looking at Honey and Di, two people she had considered good friends. She figured in a couple days, when it didn’t hurt as much, she would be able to face them. But it was too soon right then.

 

When she arrived at school, Trixie headed to the library and got started on her project.

 

Trixie was contemplating what to do when lunch arrived. She was seriously considering heading back to the library to get some studying in, but someone else had other plans.

 

“Hey, Trix.”

She turned and saw Jim was approaching her locker.  She smiled. “Hi.”

 

“I missed you this morning,” Jim said when he reached her.

 

“I’m sorry. I have that history project that I wanted to start on.”

 

“That’s good thinking,” Jim said. “Hopefully that’ll leave our weekends free to do things together.”

 

“I think we may be able to schedule something.” Trixie smiled.

 

“Good,” Jim said. “Come on. Let’s head to the cafeteria. You’re probably hungry by now, since you were here so early.”

 

“Actually, I was going to head to the library to study,” Trixie said quietly.

 

Jim was quiet and she could see he was looking at her carefully. She knew he could tell something was up.

 

“Trixie, tell me what it is.”

 

“Jim, it’s nothing.”

 

“Then we’ll head to the cafeteria for lunch,” Jim said.

 

She knew he was waiting for her to protest, but she wasn’t in the mood for a fight. It wasn’t worth it. She closed her locker. “Then let’s go.”

 

Together they made their way down the hall to the cafeteria. They got into the lunch line and purchased their meals from an array of options, ranging from pizza to hamburgers and fries and from salad to chimichungas. Once they had paid for their lunch, they headed into the cafeteria toward the table they sat with the rest of the Bob-Whites.

 

As they neared the table, Trixie saw there were only two open seats left at the table. One was next to Brian and the other was next to Honey. Trixie knew who she was going to be sitting beside.

 

Moving to the table, Trixie sat down quickly and began eating her lunch. She didn’t plan to stick around any longer than she absolutely had to, especially when she was with people who didn’t consider her a friend.

 

“Look who decided to join us,” Honey said. “We missed you on the bus this morning.”

 

Trixie looked at Honey. She was trying to gauge the tone Honey was using. She wondered if Honey knew she had overheard their conversation on Saturday or if she was trying to keep up the charade.

 

“I wanted to get a start on the history project we were given last week,” Trixie said. “I didn’t want to wait until the last minute.”

 

“That’s good thinking,” Brian said.

 

“I need to put some more time in on mine as well,” Honey said.

 

Trixie focused on her lunch as she pulled out her history textbook. She didn’t feel like talking to the others and hoped they would get the hint.

 

“I think we need to have a Bob-White night out,” Jim said. “We’ve all been so busy with our studies and other commitments that we haven’t really done anything as a group.”

 

“When did you want to do this?” Honey asked slowly.

 

“This weekend,” Jim said.

 

“I’m up for it,” Brian said.

 

“Me too,” Dan said.

 

“Count me in,” Mart said.

 

“I’m sorry, Jim, but I can’t,’ Honey said. “Mother and I have made plans to go into the city this weekend.”

 

“I’m unavailable as well,” Di said.

 

Trixie glanced at Honey and Di and knew they were trying to avoid a Bob-White activity. She could see they didn’t want to do it out of the chance she would be there. Everything was crystal clear, and she knew what needed to be done.

 

“If you’re both worried I’ll be there, you can stop worrying now,” Trixie said. “I won’t be attending.”

 

“What’s going on?” Jim asked.

 

Trixie looked at Honey and Di, both looking like a deer in the headlights. Trixie decided they had started this by backing out and she was about to finish it. She wasn’t normally into getting revenge, but she wasn’t going to lie to the others, either. She was angry at what she had heard and wasn’t going to let it go by unnoticed.

 

“Why don’t you tell them the real reason you don’t want to participate?” Trixie suggested.

 

“What are you talking about?” Honey asked, trying to sound innocent.

 

“Let’s see, what were the words?” Trixie said. “Oh, yeah. ‘It’s nice to hang out with the guys from time to time, but I’d rather be shopping’.”

 

“I didn’t say that,” Honey protested.

 

“You’re right, you didn’t,” Trixie said. “But Di did, and you agreed with her.”

 

“Hold it,” Brian said. “What’s going on? And I want the truth.”

 

The three of them were silent while the guys stared at them. Trixie decided she wasn’t going to tiptoe around it.

 

“Why don’t you two level with them?” Trixie asked. “After all, I’m not pretty and I’d rather be out there with the guys instead of watching.”

 

Trixie watched as their mouths fell open in realization. They knew she had heard their conversation. “Go ahead and enlighten them. I’ve already heard it all.”

 

Grabbing her tray, Trixie stormed away from the table and tossed her trash. She was going to the library to study for the rest of the period.

 

* * * * *

 

When the last class was over for the day, Trixie was ready to go home. Just as she exited the building, there was a loud clap of thunder as the skies opened. She couldn’t believe her luck. She was going to have to bike home in the rain.

 

“Hey,” a voice said.

 

Turning, Trixie saw Jim coming toward her. She said, “Hey.”

 

“If you want, we can load your bicycle into the back of the Bob-White station wagon and I can give you a ride home.”

 

“Would you mind?” Trixie asked uncertainly, not really sure how to talk with him after the lunch incident.

Jim smiled at her. “I wouldn’t mind at all.”

 

Trixie smiled in return. “I’ll go get it.”

 

“Let me take your books so you don’t have to worry about them.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Trixie pulled the hood of her jacket over her head and hurried to the bicycle rack outside school. She opened her lock, grabbed her bicycle and hurried for the parking lot. Jim was standing with the back door open when she arrived. Together they loaded it in. Jim closed the back and they both got in the front seat.

 

Trixie pushed the hood off her head and said, “If I had known it was going to rain, I would’ve taken the bus.”

 

“The showers were forecast for later tonight,” Jim said. “I guess they just came early.”

 

“Lucky me,” Trixie said.

 

“You ready to go?” Jim asked as he started the engine.

 

“Absolutely.”

 

Jim left the parking lot and headed for Glen Road. The ride was silent except for the flapping of the wipers. Just as they turned onto Glen Road, Jim asked, “Was what you overheard the reason you were so quiet on Saturday?”

 

Trixie looked down at her hands folded in her lap. “It was.”

 

“Why didn’t you say something?”

 

“I guess I was shocked to hear Honey and Di talk about me that way,” Trixie said quietly. She knew she could be honest with Jim. “I thought they were my friends. I thought Honey was my best friend. I guess I was wrong.”

 

 

“Do you remember what exactly was said?” Jim asked.

 

Trixie recalled the conversation word by word, but she didn’t want to say anything. No one else needed to be hurt by it.

 

“That’s okay,” Jim said. “I get the feeling I wouldn’t want to remember it either.” Jim sighed. “I’m surprised all this happened. I never thought the Bob-Whites would start fighting.”

 

“We’re not fighting,” Trixie said.

 

Jim glanced at her before focusing back on the road. “Then what are you three doing?”

 

Trixie was quiet for a moment before saying, “We’re growing apart.”

 

Jim was quiet for the remainder of the ride home. He pulled into the driveway of Crabapple Farm and parked by the garage. Trixie grabbed her books while Jim went around to the back to get her bicycle out. He took the bicycle to the garage and put it inside.

 

Trixie moved into the garage as Jim turned around. She said, “Thanks for giving me a ride home.”

 

“I was glad to.” He moved to her. “If you want to talk, about anything, give me a call.”

 

Trixie smiled. “I will.”

 

Jim leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll talk to you later.”

 

“Bye, Jim.”

 

“Bye.”

 

She stood in the garage and watched as Jim got in the Bob-White station wagon and backed out of the driveway of Crabapple Farm. Once he was out of sight, she hurried out of the garage and into the house through the kitchen door.

 

Once inside, she slipped her coat off and hung it on the hook. She saw a note on the kitchen table and decided to read it.

 

“Brian, Mart & Trixie.

            “I had to pick up Bobby early from school since he wasn’t feeling well. I’m going to take him to Dr. Ferris to make sure it’s not serious. Dinner is in the refrigerator. Please put it in the oven at 4 p.m. at 350 degrees.

                                                                                                “Moms”

 

Trixie glanced at the clock and saw she had a half hour until dinner went into the oven. She decided she would work on her homework in the kitchen. She grabbed an apple from the basket and settled at the table.

 

A knock at the door interrupted her attempt to solve one of her math problems. Getting up from the table, she glanced at the clock and saw it was ten to four. She moved to the kitchen door and pulled it open. She stared at the person on the other side holding an umbrella.

 

“Can we talk?” Honey asked.

 

“Wouldn’t you prefer to talk to Di?” Trixie asked harshly.

 

“Trixie.”

 

“Don’t even bother trying to explain anything to me, Honey,” Trixie said. “I heard enough the other night to know where our friendship stands.”

 

“Trixie, you don’t know the whole conversation,” Honey said.

 

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the rest of it,” Trixie said. “And surprisingly enough, all the clues were there and I missed them. Whenever I asked either of you to do something, you both had other plans. I should have put it together a whole lot sooner. Silly me.”

 

“Trixie, please.”

 

“Honey, I am very hurt about what happened and it’s going to take a long time for me to get over it.” She glared at Honey. “If I ever do.”

 

“Trixie, I still want to be your friend. You were the first person I got to know when we moved here and I don’t want to lose your friendship.”

 

“Right now, I’m not sure we can be friends,” Trixie said. “Friends are honest with one another. They don’t purposely exclude each other.”

 

“What can I do to make this up to you?”

 

“I’m not sure there’s anything that can be done right now,” Trixie said.

 

“Trixie, I am sorry all this happened,” Honey said. “I really am. I should have put some thought into what I was doing. But I didn’t and I have no one to blame but myself.”

 

Honey turned and headed back to the Manor House. As Trixie watched her go, she got the feeling that Honey was really sorry about what had transpired. But that didn’t change how hurt she was. She had thought of Honey as her best friend, and never expected her to be so mean. And the comments she had heard wouldn’t be easily forgotten with an apology. It was going to take time, if they were to be close again.

 

-The End-

 

Author’s Notes: Congratulations to Jix for 6 great years and many more. First of all, my esteemed appreciation goes to my editors Kaye and Amy for proofing this latest work and for catching many of my spelling errors. My thanks also goes to Amy for her work on making my site as beautiful as it is. Thank you both.

Secondly, the premise of “Major Changes” came many years ago, long before I ever knew of Jix or had even access to the Internet. Many of the ideas for this universe came after reading a few of the Trixie books when I was younger. It has take a while for this universe to actually be posted because it explores a different side of the Bob-Whites.

And last, but certainly not least, to Cathy. Thank you for creating this place where Trixie fans from all over the world can gather and enjoy Trixie Belden and the Bob-Whites. When I came to Jixemitri and became an author, everyone welcomed me with open arms making me feel right at home. That is the best feeling in the world. There is always someone around when you have good news to share and a kind ear when things are going tough.

Jix is the best home in the world and I’m proud to say I’m a part of it. Thanks again.

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