When we last left Trixie, she was late coming home from
visiting Jim at
college. Although the night had ended
pleasantly, she had driven up to talk to him about two things: 1) the uncomfortable topic of sex and 2) the
fact that Jim hadn’t explained his behavior to her when Mr. Belden had
told him
that Trixie couldn’t date until she was 16.
Now it was time to see what her father had to say for himself.
The Last of the See-cruds
Trixie tried to creep quietly into the house, but her stealth didn’t help since her father was evidently sleeping downstairs. She was surprised to see him in his pajamas, lying under the extra blankets on the couch. He sat up as she was passing through the room.
“Trixie, I’m not going to comment on your lateness much, since we have other things we need to talk about,” Mr. Belden said as he played with the blankets. “Your mother gave me quite the lecture tonight, and I want to apologize to you.”
Mr. Belden cleared his
throat. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that
I had
talked to Jim about the bracelet he gave you in
“Well, not really, Dad. I thought that Jim had regretted giving me the bracelet and wasn’t attracted to me,” Trixie told her father.
“Oh, God, no Trixie. I never meant for you to think that. He was just respecting my wishes. I never meant for you to think that you aren’t attractive. You’re a beautiful girl¾a beautiful young lady.”
“I know you think so. But you’re my dad. You’re supposed to think that. Jim was the first actual boy who seemed attracted to me. I was hurt when he stopped paying attention to me like that.”
“I’m sorry, Trixie. I never meant for you to be hurt, in fact, I was trying to protect you. I just didn’t want you and Jim to rush into anything…you were too young. I still think you’re too young. ”
“Well, we’re going to do our best not to rush into anything, I promise.”
Mr. Belden smiled down at his daughter. “Do you forgive me?”
“Of course I do, Daddy. Just please, talk to me about stuff like that
next time, not
“Good night, Trixie.” After Trixie had gone up the stairs, he whispered, “Good night, my baby girl.”
* * *
The next morning, Trixie was glad to see that her mother and father seemed to be acting normal at breakfast, she didn’t want them to have arguments about her. She was smiling as she walked into the lunch room, happy that things had turned out alright even after two uncomfortable talks.
Honey and Diana joined Trixie in the lunch line, once again admiring Trixie’s new outfit.
“Like I said this morning, you really look good. We told you that you had a nice body. I’m so glad your mom was able to convince you to try something more form-fitting,” Diana said, looking at Trixie’s fitted gray slacks and dark turtleneck.
“Well, yes, in fact, she convinced me of a lot of things yesterday. We had some very interesting conversations,” Trixie replied, with a meaningful look at her two friends.
Honey and Diana shared a knowing look before looking back to Trixie.
“Yeah, those meaningful mother-daughter chats seem to be going around,” Honey muttered.
“Did your mom really have that type of chat with you?” Trixie asked after paying for her meal. “Let’s get our own table where we won’t be interrupted.”
The girls hurried past their regular table where Mart and Dan were already sitting and headed to the back corner of the busy lunchroom, resulting in suspicious looks from the guys.
“This should work perfectly, since we’re next to the band table, no one will overhear us,” Trixie said as she sat down her tray.
Honey winced as the table erupted into loud laughter. “Yeah, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to hear you either.”
“We’ll just scootch in closer,” Diana said. Diana and Honey leaned their heads over the table towards Trixie.
“So I guess we’ve all had the same discussion with our mothers,” Trixie began, waiting until the others nodded. “Were you guys as embarrassed by it as I was?”
“Definitely,” Diana answered emphatically. Honey just turned bright red.
“And your mother really talked to you about this stuff, Honey?” Trixie asked.
“Yeah. Although Mother admitted later that she was as uncomfortable as I was. Evidently our mothers had gotten together and decided to have these talks, but she wasn’t sure she could do it. She thought about asking Ms. Trask to do it, but then realized that would probably be awkward. I mean, I love Ms. Trask, but she’s still my governess. So then she wanted your Mom to do it, Trixie.”
“Really? That might have worked…no, wait, that would also be a bit weird. You are dating her son, after all,” Trixie replied.
“Yeah, that’s what they figured as well. So, your Mom convinced Mother that she could do it. But I kept interrupting and insisting that it was way too early to have this talk. But she persisted…and you know, even though it was a very difficult talk to get through, I really think we’re much closer now. It sounds corny, but this might have been the first real serious conversation we’ve ever had.”
“That’s not corny, Honey, that’s great,” Diana said, putting her hand over her friend’s. Trixie did the same.
“So, how bad was your conversation, Di?” Trixie asked after a moment.
“Well, I did the same thing Honey did and kept saying it was too early to have this talk, but Mummy also persisted. But that conversation wasn’t as horrible as the trip to the doctor’s office. You two did that also, right?”
The two girls nodded, both grimacing.
“That sucked. I hope I never have to go through an experience like that again. And my mom said that if I thought a…,” Diana lowered her voice even more, “Pap smear was horrible, a mammogram is about ten times worse.”
“Oh, I don’t want to even think about that. That’s a long way off. The exam was bad enough, although I’m still not sure it was worse than talking to Moms,” Trixie said, wrinkling her nose.
“I don’t know what you’re complaining about. I thought you and your mom could talk about anything. Why was it so horrible for you?” Honey asked.
“Hey, we can talk about a lot of things, but sex…” Trixie paused as she noticed one of the boys at the next table---she thought it was the drum major---looked up at that word.
Trixie blushed, lowered her voice and continued, “Talking about sex with my mother---with anybody--- is not fun. I mean, I was all embarrassed talking about it in Sex Ed and that was just the scientific parts. Talking to your mother about the actual act…that was bad.” She paused and then continued, “But I think it was even worse talking to Jim about it.”
“What!”
“You talked to Jim about it?”
“Shhhh, shut up. Mart and Dan just looked over. Yes, I did talk to Jim about how we felt about it.” Trixie blushed a deep red remembering the talk…and the “not-talking” that followed.
Honey sat back up. “Wow! I hadn’t even thought about talking to Brian. I can’t even picture doing talking to him about s--- that.”
“Well, Moms thought it was a good idea to talk about what we’re comfortable with. That way we both knew what to expect…and that way, when one of us is ready---which neither of us is right now, by the way--- we’ll know how the other one feels.”
Diana turned around and looked at Mart and then back at Trixie. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to talk to the guys about it?”
“I really think it helped Jim and me. Now, at least, we both know where the other stands.” Trixie grinned. “Although he really hated the conversation.”
“Yeah, I bet my big brother did hate that.” Honey laughed and then got serious as she thought for a moment. “Hmm…OK, I’ll have a talk with Brian this weekend.”
Diana grimaced, “I think I’ll wait until then to talk to Mart too. I hope he’s willing to wait as long as I am. I don’t know what I’ll do if not.”
“Well, Diana, that’s one thing Moms told me to be careful about. We were talking about reasons to have or not to have…,” Trixie dropped her volume, “sex… and she said a lot of women have sex to keep boyfriends and often get hurt by that. I don’t want that to happen to me.”
“Yeah, Mummy and I talked about that too. I still don’t know what I’d do, but at least after this talk I’ll know something.”
* * *
Throughout the week, Honey and Di kept asking Trixie for advice on what to talk about, and how to phrase things. Trixie felt odd giving her friends advice on this particular subject, especially considering that they were dating her brothers. She finally just suggested being honest and truthful since that’s what worked for her and Jim.
She was torn between amusement and pity as she noticed both her friends getting more and more nervous as the weekend approached. She was even more amused when she realized Mart was picking up vibes from Diana and was becoming nervous himself.
The weather even seemed to mimic the growing tension. By the time, Jim and Brian arrived home on Friday, heavy snow was falling. The Bob-Whites decided against heading out for individual dates and were instead all hanging out in the Manor House’s game room. After a dinner of pizza and sodas, Trixie jumped up from the table.
“So, who wants to challenge me to a game of pool?” Trixie asked, chalking up a cue stick.
Jim smiled as he got up and grabbed another cue stick. “Oh, I’ll definitely take that challenge.”
“I’ll play the winner,” Dan volunteered.
“Then I’ll play whomever wins that game,” Mart said.
Diana shook her head. “Actually Mart, could we go somewhere private? We need to talk.”
Mart paled but nodded weakly. “Umm…sure, where would you like to go?”
Diana turned to Honey, “Is it OK if we use the study?”
Honey nodded and, after Mart and Diana had left, turned to Brian. “Umm..Brian, I would like to talk too.”
Brian looked concerned but didn’t seem to panic like Mart had. “Of course, Honey.”
Honey turned to the remaining Bob-Whites. “We’ll be up in my room in case anyone needs us,” she announced as Ms. Trask entered the game room carrying bowls of snacks.
“Oh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Honey.”
“We’re just talking, Ms. Trask,” Honey protested.
Ms. Trask raised an eyebrow. “Well, I think you would be more comfortable talking in the study.”
“But Diana and Mart are already talking in the study.”
Ms. Trask raised the other eyebrow. “Well, then, the library would be just as comfortable.”
Honey sighed. “Fine, but could we please not be interrupted?”
“Of course.” Ms. Trask nodded as she walked briskly out of the room.
Brian shook his head as he followed Honey out of the room. “Yeah, that’s what they say. But they always interrupt.”
Jim smiled and turned to Trixie. “Hah, we’re not the only ones that don’t get any privacy around this place. So, do you want to break?”
Trixie shook her head at her boyfriend, both at the option to break and at the fact that Jim was enjoying seeing the others go through the same problems they had.
“See, there’s another
reason I
prefer to date non-Sleepyside girls. You
get more privacy when you head out to
“No comment on the
variety, but
“Nice break.” Dan ignored the jerk comment.
“Nice view,” said Trixie, who had been standing behind Jim.
Jim blushed. “Great, now you are going to make me self conscious.”
Trixie grinned. “Hey, I’ll take any advantage I can to win.”
Jim laughed, “I can’t wait until your turn then, Trix. I’m sure I’ll enjoy the view just as much.” He leaned over the table, lining up his shot. “So, shall I also assume that Brian and Mart are having incredibly uncomfortable discussions? Oh, and solids.”
Trixie nodded as Dan asked, “What conversation is this?”
Jim and Trixie looked at each other. Trixie answered. “Well, you know, just discussing…well, sex.”
“And what’s uncomfortable about that?” Dan asked with a wicked grin.
“Cause it’s just talking about it,” Jim whispered to Dan, causing his friend to laugh out loud.
“What did you just say, James?” Trixie asked, narrowing her eyes.
Jim gave her his best angelic look. “Nothing,Trix.” He leaned down and tried to play a bank shot but missed.
Trixie looked suspiciously at Jim but then leaned down to take a shot. As soon as she turned her back, Jim whispered to Dan, “See, I’m a man of action, not words.” Dan snorted.
Trixie whirled around after successfully sinking one of striped balls. “Now what did you say?”
Both men tried to look innocent. Trixie rolled her eyes. “Never mind.” She walked around the table for her next play.
“Jim, it doesn’t bother you that Honey and Brian are talking about sex?” Dan asked.
“Nah, as long as they’re just talking. I trust Honey to do the right thing. And I trust Brian…mostly. But if he does more than just talk about it…or if he hurts her, he’s a dead man.” Jim said, frowning.
“You won’t be alone,” Dan added.
Trixie rolled her eyes again.
After Trixie missed her next shot, Jim started to take a shot. He straightened back up when he heard angry voices coming from the hallway.
“Trixie, please tell me you didn’t tell the others that you and I had already had this discussion.”
Trixie glanced askance at Jim and then turned back to the doorway where an angry Brian was walking through the door, followed closely by an annoyed looking Honey. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dan jump off the side table and head towards Jim. She did the same, running ahead of Brian and standing in front of Jim.
“What the hell have you been talking to my little sister about?” Brian yelled, ignoring Trixie.
Jim firmly took Trixie by the shoulders and moved her out of the way. “I can handle this, Trixie,” Jim said under his breath. Drawing back his shoulders, Jim looked directly at Brian.
“Brian, let me explain something to you. What Trixie and I talk about is private between us. What Trixie and I do is private between us. What…. wait a minute, let me wait for Martin so I don’t have to repeat myself.” Jim stopped, hearing another angry voice in the hallway.
“What have you and Trixie been talking about?” Mart asked, storming in the room. Diana was right behind him, looking extremely frustrated.
“We were talking about various aspects of our relationship, OK?” Jim stated firmly. “Our private relationship. I don’t ask either of you what you’re doing or talking about with your girlfriends…that should be between the two of you. I’m respecting your privacy. Which is a trait you two could learn as well.” Jim wisely decided not to add that butting in where you don’t belong also seemed to be a Belden trait.
“What you do with my little sister is my business,” Brian corrected.
“The hell it is…” Trixie began, cutting in between the two men. Jim once again gently moved Trixie out of the way.
“As Trixie was about to say, it is not your business. I don’t get in between you and my sister. I trust you. And I trust Honey.”
“And I thought I could trust you, Jim. But then you and Trixie are already talking about sex,” Brian stated. Trixie was about to interrupt again, but suddenly decided against it. This confrontation between Jim and her brothers had been a long time coming.
“Yes, Brian. We are talking. Just talking. Setting guidelines and comfort levels. Not making plans to do anything. And although I’d prefer if Trixie hadn’t shared that information with Di and Honey, that doesn’t mean I’m obligated to tell you anything. This really is a private matter between Trixie and me.”
Mart jumped in. “She’s too young to even be thinking about sex.”
Trixie couldn’t keep quiet this time. “I’m only eleven months younger than you are, Mart Belden. And I’m older than your girlfriend. And yours, Brian.”
“That’s different,” Brian said, brushing off the comment and turning to Jim.
“How so?” Jim asked.
“It just is,” Mart answered before Brian could say anything. Jim scowled at both of them. He wasn’t the only one, Diana and Honey were also looking quite annoyed at the Belden brothers.
“Well, Martin Belden, I don’t think it’s any different. And I think we need to talk about this…in addition to our original talk.” With that, Diana grabbed Mart’s wrist and dragged him out the door.
Brian watched Mart get dragged out the door and was shocked when Honey started marching behind them. She turned just before she got to the doorway.
Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she said, “Well, Brian, I’m giving you one chance to follow me and have this talk. Or you won’t even get the chance to talk about having sex.” She pivoted and walked out the door.
Brian hesitated only a moment. He turned and glared at his best friend and sister before quickly following Honey, leaving Dan, Jim and Trixie alone in the room.
Jim slowly turned back around. Leaning against the pool table, he looked at Trixie and said mildly, “You know, Trixie, this keeping things private between the two of us only works if, well, we keep things private between the two of us.”
Trixie blushed. “Well, yeah, I know…and I really didn’t tell them that much, really. Just that we had a discussion.”
Dan snorted, “Besides, Jim, girls always tell each other everything.”
“Hey, I didn’t tell them everything. I didn’t even tell them what we decided,” Trixie said
defending herself.
Dan quickly suppressed his look of curiosity before turning back to Jim. “So, Jim, I believe it was your turn?”
Jim shrugged, “Yeah, I guess it was.” With that, he concentrated on the pool game, leaning over and lining up for a shot on the eight ball.
* * *
Back in the study, Mart was feeling like the eight ball. This was not a pleasant conversation.
“OK, Mart. Now we get to have two discussions. First of all, do you realize that every time you make a fuss about what Trixie and Jim are doing, it makes me feel ashamed about what we’ve been doing? I mean, I’m already worried that we’re going too quickly and then you go and start acting like Trixie shouldn’t be doing anything. I mean, Trixie’s right, Mart, she and I are the same age. So if you don’t think that Trixie should be doing anything…then I guess I shouldn’t be either.”
Mart was scrambling, trying to figure out exactly what he could say to get himself out of this hole he had dug. And I don’t believe utilizing my extensive vocabulary will prove beneficial in the slightest.
“It is different, Di. I mean, you’re my girlfriend, I know you’re sixteen. But it’s just hard for me to think of Trixie as anything other than my baby sister. So it won’t matter how old she gets, I’m still going to think she’s too young for stuff.”
“Mart, I hate to rub salt on an old wound, but she’s only eleven months younger than you. That’s hardly a baby sister.”
“I know, but hey, I take my lead from Brian, right? He’s my older brother and I’m supposed to do emulate his actions, right? And he always acts so overprotective of Trixie. So I guess I started doing the same.” Mart took a deep breath. “But you’re right. And she’s right. And hell, even Jim’s right. I guess I should respect their privacy.” Mart wasn’t just saying these things to try and get back on Diana’s good side. Now that his initial anger had worn off, he realized that Jim had actually handled their outburst maturely. And it’s not like talking about sex is bad.
“Well, OK, but it really is annoying when you and Brian go into your overprotective brother routine. Aren’t you glad that I don’t have any overprotective older brothers? Anyway, we still need to talk about how we feel about sex.”
Mart nodded, all the while thinking of the warning Dan had given him when he and Diana had started dating.
“Hey,
Mart. I was thinking, since the motto of
the Bob-Whites is that we’re all brothers and
sisters that means that I’m Diana’s older brother, right?”
After
Mart had nodded, Dan continued, “So that means if you hurt my little
sister,
I’ll seriously kick your ass.”
Mart had started to laugh until he realized that Dan wasn’t joking.
Mart brought himself
back to the
present time when he realized that Diana was expectantly waiting for an
answer. He hesitated and then said,
“Um…yes.”
Diana smiled brightly, “Great! I’m so glad that you agree that we should wait until we’re married to have sex. I was really worried that you would think that’s too old-fashioned. It’s just that Mummy and Daddy waited until they were married…and I had always figured that I would do the same. You are such a patient boyfriend, Mart Belden. God I love you!” Diana threw her arms around Mart’s neck and hugged him.
Burying his face in her hair, Mart closed his eyes. I have to wait until we’re married. Oh my God! I am going to die.
* * *
In the library, Brian was starting to wish he could die. Honey had lit into him the second he had closed the door and didn’t show too many signs of stopping. You know, sometimes I miss the old quiet and shy Honey.
“Look here, Brian Belden, if you’re saying that it’s OK for you and me to do things that are inappropriate for Jim and Trixie, that would be rather hypocritical, wouldn’t it? And I know you wouldn’t want to be a hypocrite.” Honey said, finishing in a sweet voice.
“I’m not being a hypocrite. Trixie’s too young to think about sex. You’re too young to think about sex.”
Honey arched an eyebrow at him. “You’re kidding, right? So, you weren’t thinking about sex when you were sixteen?”
Brian reddened. “That’s different. I’m a guy.”
Honey rolled her eyes. “Ah, so it’s OK for a guy to think about sex but not for a girl, right? Please, Brian. Women think about sex as much as men do.”
“Really? Are you saying you think about sex?”
“Yes, Brian, that’s what I’m saying. That’s why I thought that you and I should talk about it. And I wanted to talk about what you and I are going to do, not about Jim and Trixie.”
Brian begrudgingly agreed…for now. “Umm…so what are your thoughts about sex?”
“Well… I know Daddy will kill you if we do anything before I turn 17, so we’ll have to wait until then. But beyond that, I figure we should just do whatever feels right.”
Brian opened his eyes in astonishment. “You mean, even before you turn 18?”
“Well, I’m not going to put a timeline on it or anything, but I guess I always thought that as long as two people are in love and in a serious long term relationship…which we are, right?” Honey asked, looking slightly panicked at Brian.
“Of course! Of course we are, Honey. Definitely long term.”
“Well, in that case, I guess I always felt that as long as the love and the commitment were there, then really, age shouldn’t be a factor. I think the length of the relationship is more important. And I’ve been in love with you for years.”
Brian smiled. “Yeah, me too.”
Honey smiled back and leaned in for a sweet kiss. Suddenly, Brian jerked back.
“Wait a minute…do you think Trixie and Jim are only going to wait until she’s 17?”
Honey smacked Brian in the arm. “What part of ‘we’re talking about our relationship and not theirs’ did you not get? I can’t believe you’re thinking about them at a time like this.”
Brian looked sheepish as he rubbed his arm. “I know, but I hadn’t even considered the fact of having sex this early. And I had figured Jim and Trixie wouldn’t either.”
“I’m sure they are going to wait until she’s 18.”
“Why do you think that? Did Trixie tell you that?”
“No, their relationship is private, remember? But come on, this is Jim we’re talking about.”
“Yeah, but it’s also Trixie we’re talking about,” Brian grumbled.
“Well, it shouldn’t be either of them we’re talking about. We were supposed to be talking about us…not them.”
“Yeah, but now I want to know what they’ve decided.”
Honey smiled deviously. “Fine, Brian. Let’s go ask Jim and Trixie what they’ve decided. And while we’re at it, we can tell them what we’ve decided too. I’m sure Jim would be quite interested in that.”
Brian started. For the first time, he realized that maybe Jim had every right to be overprotective of Honey. Yet he was trusting Brian and Honey to make the decisions that are right for them. Besides, I really don’t want Jim to be thinking too much about what Honey and I have decided. Fine, I’ll cut them some slack… for now.
* * *
That night after everyone went home, Trixie called Honey and Diana from her cell phone, conferencing in both of them. As they all whispered their conversations, Trixie was overjoyed to hear that her best friends had put her brothers in their place and called them on their overprotectiveness. Although she’d wait to see if her brothers would change their behavior, she was happy they had at least considered it.
Trixie smiled. Without a doubt, she had the best friends in the world. And it was past time that she not only told them, but showed them. She had realized that night that dating had caused them all to spend more time with their significant other than the other Bob-Whites. Although Trixie knew that was a bit normal, she also didn’t want to ignore her friends now that she was dating someone….even when that someone was one of her best friends.
“I love you two! Thank you so much for talking to them…especially since you had other things that you were talking about. And, look, I think all three of us need to spend more time together…just us. How about we go out to dinner next Friday just the three of us? And let the boys have a boys’ night out?”
Honey and Diana quickly agreed and after a few more whispers and laughter, they called it a night.
Yes, Trixie thought, the best friends in the world.
Author’s notes: Talking
about best friends in the world, I
have to once again thank my wonderful editor, Jenn, for her wonderful
hard work
that always makes the story that much better.
Also, the title does
mean that this is the last in the See-crud series.
Not that I’m changing universes or not
writing, I’m just getting tired of using the word “See-crud” in my
titles. I ran out of actual Bobby quotes
for that
word two stories ago. J
No, there is never any
mention of a game room with a billiards table in any of the Trixie
Belden
stories. But come on, the Wheelers are
rich, of course they have a billiard room!
Trivia fact for the day: Most historians trace the origins of
billiards
to the lawn games played in the royal courts of
As always, I’m not getting
any money from these stories and I fully recognize that they belong to
Random
House and not me.