| "Slow down there buddy, that was part of our �date� deal you meet someone you really like, it�s okay to break our date,� Trixie said with a laugh. Dan sighed in relief and pushed his long black hair behind his ears, �Thanks for being so understanding Trix. I don�t know if she�s someone I want to get serious with or not - she�s been pestering me though, and well, I finally gave in, so who knows�could be good, could be bad.� Trixie was grateful to see Dan interested in someone again for the first time since her cousin Hallie so many years ago. He�d dated on and off, but no one had seriously captured his interest. She often wondered if in his heart he still carried a torch for her tall beautiful cousin. �Actually Trix I hate to run,� he apologized, �but I need to go shopping for some clothes.� Her undignified snort of laughter earned a loud �please be quiet miss� from the now disapproving librarian at the front. �Dan, I never thought I'd live to see the day where you were concerned about clothes...next you'll be cutting off all that hair, in fact I'm surprised the Captain hasn't asked you to already." "I think they might have something in mind for me," Dan admitted, "although I'm not sure what would require long hair." "Hmmm- how mysterious. Well if you have to go get something spiffy I won�t stand in your way� she chortled. �Have fun shopping!� Dan kissed her on the top of the head and then went over and hugged Lanie goodbye. �Be good little one and maybe I�ll stop by and visit you and your Nona soon.� She gave him a quick hug, �thanks for coming to visit me Mr. Dan. Go get some bad guys!� Lanie had been very impressed when Trixie had first introduced Dan to her as a brave policeman who got the bad guys, and kept little girls like her safe. She liked to remind him of his duty every now and then. Trixie and Lanie read a little more and then did some homework. All too soon it was closing time. They got their books checked out and headed home. Upon arrival at the Cardoza house, Mrs. Cardoza had a kiss and a thank you for Trixie. Lanie said �see you next week Trixie, thanks for being my favorite big sister.� �Aren�t I your only big sister?� �Yeah, but you�re still my favorite� she giggled, and ran off to bed. |
| *************************************************** The rest of the week passed in a blur of classes, studying and more studying. Seeing Lanie had been only a brief break in the college grind. Saturday morning dawned and Trixie allowed herself the luxury of sleeping in before beginning the day. She had a quick bite of lunch and headed over to the law library on the west side of campus. She was soon settled at a large wood table, dutifully reading one of her numerous text books. She was beginning to make some headway into her coursework when another panic attack struck. She began to hyperventilate loudly and a fellow studier at the table looked up in annoyance. His face changed to one of concern as he saw what was happening. He quickly emptied a brown paper bag he�d been carrying his lunch in and gave it to her. She was able to calm her breathing with it. Trixie handed the bag back to him with a red flush on her face. �Ummm, thanks� she mumbled. �Are you ok now? Maybe we should get you to the campus clinic?� Trixie protested that she was fine and really didn't need to go. The "brown bag rescuer" gave up trying to persuade her and introduced himself. �Well my name is Mark Spencer, and who are you?� She gazed thoughtfully at him, taking in the dark blonde hair and gray eyes,�I�m Trixie Belden. I don�t think I�ve seen you before.� �I just transferred from Columbia this semester. The criminal law graduate program here is so much better. Since I want to be a D.A. eventually, it made sense.� �Columbia�I knew... know someone who goes there, he�s a grad student now, in Education� she said faintly. �You wouldn�t happen to know a Jim Frayne would you?� |
| �What? You know Jim �I�m pretty much perfect in every way Frayne'� he gasped. �Yeah the one and only....Well we used to be really good friends in high school and for a while after he started college. We still trade cards and see each other at Christmas; our parents have lived next to each other for just aboutforever. Would you believe I used to have a crush on him?� she laughed without mirth. Mark gasped again �you must be the curly haired girl back home he always used to talk about. I think the guy still has it pretty bad for you. His single status is pretty much the talk of campus, rumors abound about the cause of it...some people are convinced he's gay - but I knew he wasn't, even before he mentioned a girl back home. � Trixie sat back into her chair in amazement, �you have got to be kidding me�you do realize how long it�s been since he and I talked last, really talked I mean?� Mark laughed at her, �used to have a crush Trixie? I think maybe someone might still have a bit of a crush!� She made a face and stuck out her tongue, �it's so in the past. Hey it�s about dinner time and I am sick to death of studying. Do you want to go grab a bite to eat?� |
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