“I think I’ve got an idea for the Bob-Whites Christmas project.” Honey’s hazel eyes sparkled as she slid her tray next to Trixie’s at the lunch table.  The Bob-Whites, sans Jim and Brian, who were away at college, had been struggling to come up with a Christmas project. They considered themselves fortunate to have the same lunch period each day, and had been tossing around ideas all week.

“Spill it then, Honey,” Dan said as he scooted down the bench to make room for Diana to sit next Mart.

“What do you think about a Christmas dance?” Honey said as she sat down, daintily pulling her napkin out from under the cutlery.

Trixie frowned.  “What kind of dance?”

“A school-wide dance,” Honey explained.  “Ever since Mr. Stratton had the Marine Corps sergeant come and talk to us about the Toys for Tots program, I’ve been racking my brain to figure out a way for the Bob-Whites to help.  Thanks to Diana --” she paused to shoot an appreciative glance at her friend “-- we came up with the idea for a dance.”

“Dances are good.  There isn’t another one until Prom so the kids should be pretty pumped,” Mart offered, picking up his milk and taking a swig.

“Exactly!”  Honey beamed.  “For the simple price of a donation of one toy, you can participate in the first annual Sleepyside Sock Hop to benefit Toys for Tots.”

“Sergeant Copeland was really something.” Diana smiled, remembering the well-built Marine who had spoken so eloquently to the Sleepyside student body assembly.  “If that’s the kind of men they have in the U.S. Marine Corps, I may need to rethink my own career goals.”  She fluttered her lashes and looked around at her friends.  “Do you think I could make it as a Marine?” she asked brightly.

Trixie suddenly became very interested in her lunch tray, while Dan hurriedly picked up his milk carton and began to gulp vast quantities of milk.  Mart started to say something, stopped, restarted, and then looked helplessly at Honey.  The entire group was willing the famous tact to come through.

“I think you can do anything you make up your mind to do,” Honey answered, glancing around the group as if daring any of them to contradict her.  “But I don’t think the Marine Corps is looking for art or drama majors.”

“True,” Diana replied, picking up her own fork.  “But honestly, I don’t think I could make it as a Marine.  I just wanted to see what you all would say if I suggested it.”  The violet eyes twinkled as she filled her mouth with mashed potatoes.

Trixie giggled and the rest of the group relaxed.

“How much work is involved in putting on a dance?” Mart asked.  He shot a look at Trixie, who had been oddly quiet about the idea.

“Not a lot,” Honey said.  “Some posters, decorations, and a dee-jay or some kind of sound system.  I think we could pull it off if we can talk to Mr. Stratton today.”

Trixie fumbled with her napkin and finally took a deep breath.  “Honey, it’s a great idea, it really is, but I’m not, well, I can’t commit a lot of time to pulling together a dance.  I think Mart might have the same kind of conflicts that I do.  With playing basketball this year, and our season just getting underway …” her voice trailed off in apology. 

“There really won’t be that much to do,” Diana offered.  “If you could help put up posters and rally kids to attend, that would be enough.”

Trixie shook her head.  “I don’t know, maybe we should do something else for the program.”

“Do you have a better idea?” Dan asked. 

Trixie shrugged.  “Maybe we could sell those mistletoe bundles.  We could get it from the preserve and tie it up with ribbons and sell it here at the school and to the local merchants.”

Mart frowned.  “Doesn’t the baseball team usually do something like that each Christmas?  Besides, we’d never get a toy for a bundle of mistletoe.  If we really want to make the biggest impact on the program, I think a dance would be a good idea.”

“Not just any dance either,” Honey said, her eyes glowing.  “Listen to Diana’s idea.”  She nudged Di, and mumbled, “Go ahead, you tell it.”

Trixie leaned forward, surprised that her friends had cooked up an idea without her involvement, but curious about Di’s plan.

“What do you think about a dateless dance?”  Di asked, looking around at the group. 

“What is that?” Trixie asked.  “I never heard of it.”

“Well, to be honest, I made it up.” Di laughed nervously.  “If we had some kind of gimmick maybe more of the kids could come.  I was trying to make it different somehow, and then, well, do you remember before the Homecoming Dance that cute little Amy Sutton telling us that she wasn’t going because no one had asked her, even though she loved to dance?”  She looked at Trixie and Honey.

Both girls nodded in response.

“Dagnabit!  I wish I’d known Amy Sutton didn’t have a date for Homecoming,” Dan muttered.  “You’re right, Di.  She is cute.”

“Exactly, and she loves to dance.  But she wouldn’t go alone.  If everyone had to go without a date, think how many more kids would come.”

“But we’ll still have to do something to encourage both guys and girls to participate,” Mart pointed out.  “While I know that girls will dance together, there’s no way I’m dancing with another guy.  He stood and gave a formal bow in Dan’s direction.  “Sorry my friend, but you’re just not my type.”

Dan waved a careless hand back at Mart.  “Apology accepted.  Besides, I could never afford to feed you.”

Honey and Di laughed, and as discussions continued, the ideas started flowing.  There were suggestions for food donations, drink donations, dance songs, how to structure the dances, all of it.   Trixie quietly excused herself, and Honey frowned as she watched her friend’s retreat.

The next day Honey was waiting for Trixie at her locker.  She didn’t waste anytime getting to the point.  “Trixie, do you have a problem with us doing a dance?”

Trixie chewed her lip nervously.  “Do you think the Bob-Whites would go for doing something else for the Toys for Tots?” she asked.

“Like what?”  Honey demanded.  “We don’t have another idea.”

“We could do another ice carnival,” Trixie suggested.  “That was really successful.”

“Yes, and it was February,” Honey reminded her.  “The lake had plenty of time to freeze.  You know that the boys aren’t going to be too happy about an ice carnival that early in the season.  The lake still isn’t good and frozen.  Trixie, the reason we thought the dance would work is because we can pull it together quickly and almost without any work.”

“Honey,” Trixie moaned, grasping her friend’s arms.  “What am I going to do?  Basketball takes all of my free time.  You know I don’t have time to help, not like I want to.  I should’ve never tried out for the varsity team.”

“Trixie Belden!” Honey admonished.  “I can’t believe you’d even think such a thing.  Didn’t we all help you get ready for the try-outs?”

“Well, Dan helped me with rebounding,” she reminisced.  “Mart managed to use words of two syllables or less to explain to me the importance of free throw accuracy.”  She gave Honey a weak smile.  “What was it you and Diana helped me with?”

Honey was unable to restrain a giggle.  “We helped you pick out the new basketball shoes the week before try-outs.  Everyone knows the reason you made the team was because of the new shoes.”

Diana walked up to catch the tail end of the conversation.   “Superior shoe shopping is definitely what gave her the edge.”

“You guys are nuts!” Trixie answered, rolling her eyes and hugging Diana and Honey again.  “But it’s all of you that made the difference.  You were all willing to do a little more with the Bob-Whites and the horses to help me.  It doesn’t seem fair that I’m not going to be able to do much to help with this.”

“Fair is where pigs go to win ribbons.”  Dan joined the three girls.  “Are we going to lunch or are we going to gab in the hall all day?”

“We’re going to lunch.” Diana caught the signal from Honey.  She grabbed Dan’s arm and began pulling him towards the lunchroom.  “Come on, let’s go.”

“What about Trixie and Honey?” he asked, looking back in bewilderment.

“Girl stuff,” she mumbled.  “Don’t ask, okay?”

Honey smiled as she watched them leave.  “Di’s good.  She never lets me down.”

 “No, you just want me to let you down instead,” Trixie said ruefully.   

“That’s not true and you know it!” Honey chided.  “You aren’t letting us down.  We all knew what it would be like when you decided to try out for the varsity team.  Listen to me.  We don’t want to do this if you’re going to be mad at us.  Or even worse, if it hurts your feelings.” Honey had made a strategic decision to ditch tact for bluntness.

Trixie turned and busied herself organizing the books in her locker, and then spoke quietly.  “Honey, you know what my game schedule is like.  There isn’t a weekend in December when either Mart or I don’t have a game.  There’s a very good chance one of us may have to miss it.”

Honey took a deep breath.  “We’re going for the tenth,” she said softly.  “Let me explain why, okay?”

Trixie bit her lip and nodded, blinking furiously to hold back the tears that threatened.

“The girls are playing that night and the boys’ team isn’t.  Your game is away so the gymnasium is free.  We’ll have all day Saturday to decorate the gym and the dance won’t start until 7:30.  Your game starts at six.”  She paused, and reached out and grabbed Trixie’s arm.  “You won’t miss much of it, Trixie.  It will just be getting going good by the time you get here.”  She pulled her arm away when two sophomore girls approached.  She waited until they passed them before she continued speaking.

“Listen, Trixie.  You’re going to do plenty to help us with this dance.  For one thing, we’re counting on you to convince the girls on the team to attend.”  Honey glanced around.  “Finally, I think it will be good for us, for me, to have to take charge of this project.”

“Why, Honey!” Trixie exclaimed in surprise.  “Whatever do you mean?”

Honey stared down at the toe of her well-polished boot.  Without looking at Trixie, she answered.  “Maybe sometimes it feels like you always need to be in charge.  It would be nice to be the one leading an event for a change.”

Trixie’s jaw dropped.  She hardly knew what to say.  Finally, she managed a squeaky, “Really?”

Honey looked up.  “Yes, really.”  The hazel eyes implored Trixie to understand.  “Look, Trixie I don’t just want to be the sidekick.  I want to be a full partner in our business as well.”

“You aren’t the sidekick!”

Honey nodded. “Yeah, sometimes I am.  But not this time, okay?”

Trixie bit her trembling lip and nodded.  “Okay.  You take the lead on this one.  I’ll be content to follow.”

Honey gave a nervous giggle.  “No, you won’t be the least bit content!  But that’s okay, because you’re going to enjoy what I’ve got in mind.  Now come on, let’s go back to the lunchroom before the others get worried.”

After making their way through the line and joining the other three Bob-Whites, Honey sat down and began to dig out a thick folder from her backpack.  She plopped it down in the middle of the table.  Trixie looked at her in surprise, her eyes widened as Honey pulled out a sheaf of papers.

“What’s that?” she asked, nodding towards the folder.

“That’s my project plan,” Honey explained.  “I’ve got good news for everyone.  Mr. Stratton approved the date and the dance.  And even better, he’s going to let it be a joint junior and senior high dance as long as we get an appropriate number of chaperones.”

“That’s great news, Honey,” Dan nodded.  “What do we all need to do?”

“I’ve got lists.  I’ve done what I can to limit Trixie and Mart to the minimum amount of stuff, but I thought they could get the posters put up once they’re ready.”  She looked at Trixie and Mart for confirmation.  “I figured you could do it after practice and maybe even get some of your teammates to help.”

“Good thinking.” Mart reached for one of the papers Honey was holding out.  “That’s not everything for us, is it?”

“No, we’ll need you both to help decorate the gym the day of the dance, and Mart, can you ask your buddy over at the radio station about the music?”

He mumbled an affirmative response and nodded, his mouth full of food. 

“Don’t forget,” Honey cautioned.  “We’re counting on you to get your teams to attend.”

Swallowing his mouthful and clearing his throat, Mart answered, “Never fear, my illustrious compatriots.  We will endeavor to persuade our appointed teammates of the indisputable worthiness of this event.” 

“Gleeps,” Trixie muttered.  “I think he said not to worry, but I’m not sure.”

Dan grinned. “The only thing I’m worried about is that Mart hasn’t even mentioned the thing most important to him about this event.”

Mart frowned. “Have I forgotten something already on my things to do list?”

Dan looked around the cafeteria, as if checking out who was nearby.  He leaned across the table to be closer to the group and dropped his tone to a lower volume. 

“Who’s going to be in charge of the food?”

“What time can you be at the gym tomorrow?” Honey asked Trixie as the girls loaded up their books for the weekend. 

“No practice for me, it’s a game day.  I’m flexible.  I can do chores before or after,” Trixie answered as she shoved her science book into her book bag.  “I’ve got to work on this science project sometime this weekend,” she muttered.

“Okay, we’ll do it after Mart’s practice.  I’ll pick you up since Mart will already be in town.  Is there anything else?”

“Honey?”  Trixie hesitated.  “What about Jim and Brian?  You know I didn’t do much to help with this dance, but they didn’t do anything.  Do you think they’ll be upset with us?”

“Oh!  I thought that I told you?” Honey grinned.  “They both sent me money to get them toys to donate.  And, get this, they’re going to help.”

“How are they helping?”  Trixie asked.

“They’re going to plan the Bob-White Christmas party for us this year.”  Honey laughed.  “Okay, I suggested it.  But why not?  They’ll both be home from school next week.  They should have plenty of time.”

“Don’t you wish we got almost a month off for Christmas?” Trixie sighed at the thought.  “Of course, even if I did Coach Seals would still make us practice every day.”

“Jim asked me how the girls’ basketball team was doing,” Honey said innocently.  “Why haven’t you been emailing him to let him know how great your record is?”

Trixie flushed.  “I’m a girl.  He’s a guy.  If he wants an email he’s going to have to email me first.”

“What?” Honey said.  “Since when?”

“I gotta get to practice, Honey,” Trixie hedged, grabbing her gym bag. 

“You’ve got time,” Honey hissed, making a grab for Trixie’s arm.  “What’s the deal with you and Jim all of a sudden?  I thought you two were friends.’

Trixie sighed. “We are.  It’s just …”  she trailed off.

“Confess!” Honey demanded.

“Okay, I called him,” Trixie admitted.  “I wanted someone neutral to talk to about the dance stuff.  And he told me I was going to have to learn to let other people be in charge.  He -- well, he made me mad, so I hung up on him.  He hasn’t emailed me since.”

“Oh!”  Honey’s hand flew to her mouth.  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you’re his sister and you shouldn’t have to take sides,” Trixie said with a shrug.  “But that’s not really why.  Because he was right, what he said.  Honey, you have no idea how hard it’s been not to be in charge of this event.  You didn’t do anything like I would have done it, but …”  her voice trailed off.

“But what?” Honey insisted.

“It’s still perfectly perfect,” Trixie said.  “Sometimes it’s hard to admit that just because someone doesn’t do something the way that I would have done it, it doesn’t make them wrong.  It just makes us different.  And it made me realize something not very nice about myself,” she admitted.

“Everything about you is nice, Trixie,” Honey asserted loyally.

“I try,” Trixie replied.  “But I was treating you like the sidekick.  You were right and I was wrong.”  She took a deep breath.  “I’m just me, Honey.  It might happen again, because I tend to … well, let’s face it, I can be bossy.  But that doesn’t mean I think of you that way, okay?”

Honey’s hazel eyes widened and she blinked rapidly.  “Don’t be ridic, you’re not bossy,” she sniffed.

She and Trixie looked at each other and both of them burst out laughing.  A few minutes later Honey gave Trixie a gentle push.  “Go!” she ordered.  “You’re going to be late for practice.”

“The game’s been moved?” Trixie echoed into the phone.  “But how … I mean  why?”

“The Croton school had a pipe burst in their gym last night,” the assistant coach explained.  “The athletic association has moved the game to Sleepyside.”

“But Sleepyside is having a dance tonight!” Trixie protested.  “What about the dance?”

Coach Thomas was taken aback.  “I imagine they’ll move the dance to the cafeteria,” she replied after a moment’s hesitation.  “To be honest, I wasn’t aware of the conflict.”

“Thanks, coach. I’ll see you later.” Trixie hurried to get off the phone and disconnect the call.  Immediately, she dialed Honey at Manor House, tapping her fingers impatiently.

In less than a minute, Honey picked up the phone.

“Oh, Trixie!” she wailed.  “You’ll never believe what happened!”

“They moved the dance from the gymnasium to the cafeteria,” Trixie answered, realizing her friend had already heard the news.

“How did you know?” Honey demanded.  “Mr. Stratton just called me.  We have to move all our decorations to the cafeteria right away.  All those large boxes Diana wrapped to fill up the gym, they’ll never fit in the cafeteria.”

“Call Dan,” Trixie instructed.  “Mart and I will be by to pick everyone up.   If we all work together, we can get it done.  Maybe we can cut the boxes in half.”

“Diana’s already on her way over,” Honey replied.  “But I’ll call Dan.  How much time do you have?”

“I’ll get my stuff ready for the game.  Since we’re going to be playing at the school, there’s no point in me coming back home.  I can work right up until five.”

A dejected group of Bob-Whites drove back to the school that afternoon.  None of the five relished the task ahead.  They had worked for hours that morning to get the gym decorated, and they had all agreed Diana had done a fabulous job planning the oversized decorations. 

“At least the dee-jay hadn’t set up yet,” Mart muttered, as he worked to disassemble a large gift box.

“Yeah, be grateful the cafeteria has been used as an auditorium in the past,” Dan reminded him.  “Otherwise we really would be hosed.”

“Dad told me that all the dances were held in the cafeteria when he attended school here,” Mart recalled.  “At least it will make things easier for the food.”

“Yeah, I just don’t want to think about taking down all these tables and then setting them back up again,” Dan groaned.  “Not to mention, that’s the last thing Trixie needs to be doing today.  This is a big game for the girls, and now they’ll actually have a slight home court advantage.”

“Not much of one.” Mart shrugged.  He frowned as the ribbon he was removing tangled.  “Everyone will be at the dance.  At least we hope plenty of kids will.  Now we might have some students going to the game instead of coming to the dance.”

“Look at the bright side,” Diana interrupted.  “Trixie will be able to get to the dance that much quicker.”

“True,” Dan admitted.  “The girls won’t have the drive back from Croton.”

“Well, this is one disaster that I’m choosing to look at as a positive,” Honey added.  “Although I have to admit, I’d welcome some extra help right about now.”

“Your wish is my command!” 

Honey turned to look at Nick Roberts, Tad Webster and a host of Hawks and art club members.  She clapped her hands in excitement.  “Where did you guys come from?”

“A little bird called and told us what was going on.  We figured we’d better rally the troops.”  Tad waved his hand at the host of cafeteria tables.  “Moving all these isn’t going to be easy.”

“Give my thanks to your little bird,” Mart said.  “Let’s get the tables stowed up behind the supply room in the back.”

“Why, you’re most welcome, Mart.” Trixie smiled as she grabbed one end of the table. 

“You called?” Mart asked in disbelief.  His sister never asked for help. 

“Yes.  There’s no way we can make this happen unless we ask for help,” Trixie said.  “You guys taught me that much.”

Trixie looked around the gym as the team warmed up.  She noticed the boys’ basketball team in their usual place right in front of the cheerleaders.  She looked again in shock as she noticed Mart sitting with them.  Groaning inwardly, she shot a worried look his way, before turning to catch the passed ball and make her layup.  She moved automatically to the end of the line, biting her lip she struggled to switch her focus from the Toys-for-Tots dance to the girls’ game against Croton.  The two teams were tied for the lead in the county and Coach Seals had pushed the girls hard during the past week.  They all wanted to win.  It took every bit of athletic discipline Trixie had to move all thoughts of the dance out of her head and put her mind into the game.

The whistle blew and she moved toward the sidelines.  She gave one final glance over her shoulder to see Mart.  He made a thumbs-up sign and mouthed, “Don’t worry.”  She nodded in acknowledgement.  Dan, Honey and Diana were all sitting on the opposite end of the bleachers, ready to leave and move to the dance when necessary, but she failed to see them.

At half-time, Croton led by four points.  Croton had brought their best game to Sleepyside and played like they blamed Trixie’s team for the burst water pipe in their gym.  Dan nudged Diana and Honey.  “Come on, we might as well go on.  We’ll have to leave before they come back out anyway.”

“She’s made a lot of mistakes tonight, hasn’t she?” Honey asked. 

“Yeah, you can tell she’s distracted,” Dan admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets.  “Maybe we shouldn’t have done this after all.”

“You should have done it.” Mart came up to them, catching Dan’s words.  “Trixie’s got to learn not to let outside distractions influence her playing.  It’s the same thing as the other team taunting or talking smack.  She’ll get her second wind at half-time.  She always plays better in the second half.”

Di bit her lip.  “You’re not just saying that to make us feel better?”

“Heck, no.  Now hadn’t you guys better get to the dance?”

Inside the girls’ locker room, Trixie was mentally kicking herself.  She’d made several mistakes in the first half, and she knew it was because she had found it hard to concentrate.  The coach held nothing back in her words to rally the team and they were all ready when it was time to head back out to the gym floor.

“Belden,” Coach Seals stopped her on the way back to the gym floor.  “Your shoe’s untied.” She pointed down at Trixie’s white Nike basketball shoe. 

Trixie nodded and knelt to tie her shoe.  Suddenly she remembered Honey’s words about the shoes.

“Everyone knows the reason you made the team was because of the new shoes.”

 She smiled as she double-tied the shoes, making sure they were tight, just the way she liked them.  Winning this game was just as important to the Bob-Whites as the dance.  Straightening her shoulders, she focused entirely on the game.  She wasn’t going to let her friends down.

Trixie gave the comb a final yank and threw it in her gym bag.  Her hair looked good enough.  She glanced at her watch, zipped up the gym bag and hurried towards the door.

“Trixie Belden!”  A sharp voice rang out across the girl’s locker room.  “Where are you going in such a hurry?”

Trixie turned and glanced at her teammate.  Sherilyn Jones was standing in the middle of the locker room, hands on hips, wearing nothing but a brief pair of black panties and a matching bra. 

“To the dance.”  Trixie frowned as if it should be obvious.  “I’ve got to hurry.  It started over an hour ago.”

“Girlfriend, there is no way you’re going to the dance wearing that!  Didn’t you bring some clothes to change into?”

Trixie glanced down at her jeans and sweatshirt.  She had a garment bag that contained the slacks and a sweater she originally planned to wear, but it would use up precious minutes to get them and change.

“Well, yes, but they’re in the car.  I don’t want to take the time to get them.  My friends –“

“Hold the phone there, sister.   All of us are going to this dance.  There’s no point in you getting in a hurry and rushing off before us.  We’ll all go in together.  We’re a team.   Now, give me your car keys and I’ll have Matt get your clothes out of your car.”

“But Sher, you don’t understand, I have to work at the dance.  My friends need some help and a break.”

“I understand perfectly.” Sher pointed a finger at Trixie to make her point.  “But you are also a member of this basketball team.  And we just won ourselves a ball game, making us first place in the county.”  She paused to do a little cha-cha victory dance.  “We are going to the dance together, as a team.  Now, hand me your keys.  Besides,” Sherilyn sniffed as she studied Trixie.  “You don’t have any business going to a dance, where all the boys in the school will be attending, looking like that.  Girl, you’re going to be a senior next year.  You’ve got to do something with that hair.”

Trixie’s hand moved automatically to her hair, feeling the still damp curls.  “My hair?  What’s wrong with my hair?”

“For one thing, it’s still wet.  Now get over here and fix your face.  As soon as I get dressed I’ll start on your hair.”

Trixie glanced at the counter, where the curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers were lined up and shook her head.  “You don’t understand, Sherilyn.  I can’t dry my hair using a blow dryer or I’m going to have the hair that ate Sleepyside.”

“I’ve got a diffuser.  Now, for the last time, give me those keys and tell me where your car is parked.”

Sherilyn and her teammates were true to their word.  They all rallied together and agreed that the group should make their grand entrance into the dance together.  In short order, the girls managed to primp just enough to look both beautiful and careless at the same time.  Trixie turned her head a couple of times in the mirror, smiling at her shiny curls.  All frizz had been banished, and the curls spilled loosely around her face.  “I can’t believe how good this looks.  It looks like nothing special, but still looks great.”

“Of course it does.”  Another one her teammates, Sierra, spoke.  “It takes a lot of work to look like you didn’t spend any time primping!”

The girls laughed and exited the locker room, teasing each other as they went.  Just as Sherilyn had predicted, several members of the boys’ basketball team had waited to walk with them into the dance.  Trixie was grateful that at least Mart had managed to get away and report to the dance.

When they entered the cafeteria, Trixie gasped.  She couldn’t believe the crowd.  They were all pleased when the students stopped dancing to cheer for the girls’ team.  Many students gathered to congratulate them on their victory.  Trixie looked in vain for her friends and was surprised to find two of the freshman art students manning the door.

“Where’s your toy?” the male student asked Trixie.

“My toy?” Trixie echoed in dismay, realizing the Nerf basketball set she had purchased at Crimpers was sitting on her bed at home.  “Oh, no!  I forgot my toy!”

“Sorry.  No toy, no admittance,” the student insisted. 

“But I can bring it on Monday,” Trixie protested.  “I’m one of the Bob-Whites, we’re the club sponsoring this event.”

“If you’re a member of the Bob-Whites, where’s your jacket?” The conscientious student was not persuaded.

“I had a basketball game,” Trixie tried to explain.  “I’m wearing the team jacket because I just came from the game.”  She looked over the shoulder in a vain attempt to locate one of her friends.  “Look, if you’ll just go find Honey or Diana, I’m sure they’ll vouch for me.”

 “Is there a problem here?”  A familiar voice spoke from behind her.  Trixie whirled to find Jim Frayne standing there, a wide grin on his face.

“Jim!” Trixie exclaimed in total surprise.  “How?  Why?  I mean …”

“It’s not very often I can surprise you like that, Shamus.” Jim reached out and tugged a familiar curl.  “I take it you forgot this?”  He quirked an eyebrow as he offered her the toy she had left at home.

“Yes.”  She smiled.  “Yes, I did.”  Trixie turned and handed the toy to the young art student, and Jim offered his bucket of Lego building blocks.  He took her arm and steered her to the coat rack, where he slipped off her jacket and hung it up, and then steered her straight for the dance floor.

“Nice game, Belden,” he said, pulling her close as the music shifted to a slow song. 

“You were there?” she stammered.

“You didn’t think I was going to let you go all season and miss every game, did you?” he admonished.  “I only made the second half, but you were awesome.  It was a great game.”

“Jim,” Trixie started.  “Why are you here?”

“You stopped emailing me,” he explained.  “Someone said I needed to email you first, but personally --” he shrugged.  “I’d rather just communicate in person.  It’s much easier.”

“You were right,” Trixie blurted.  “I am bossy and I did treat Honey like the sidekick.”

Jim’s arms tightened as he drew in a sharp breath.  “Way to ruin my speech, Trix,” he sighed.  “I planned it for hours, about how sorry I was to be so blunt, and how it was difficult to let other people take charge.  All that effort for nothing.”

“Really?” she asked, smiling.  “You were going to apologize?”

“Yes,” he admitted.  “Not for what I said, you know.  But for the way I said it.  You caught me at a bad time with that phone call.”

“Were you on a date or something?” She grinned. 

“I was waiting to meet with a professor,” he said.  “I shouldn’t have had my phone on, but that’s why I hurried you off the phone so quickly.”

“Why didn’t you tell me it was a bad time?” she asked.  “I would’ve understood.”

“Because you never call me,” Jim explained.  “You always wait for me to call you.  Or email you.  Or text you.”  He stopped and moved his hands to her shoulders.  “Why?”

Trixie bit her lip.  “Because I’m a girl and uh, well, you’re a guy.”  She shrugged.  “The older we get, the more awkward it is to just be friends, without someone thinking it means more.”

The song ended and Trixie started to move away to search for the punch.  Before she had taken more than a step, a strong arm grabbed her.

“What if someone wants it to mean more?” he demanded.  “Then what?”

“Then someone needs to say so,” Trixie answered automatically.

“So.” Jim said quickly. 

Trixie stopped and tilted her head to one side, giving Jim a curious look.  “So, what?”

“I just said so,” he said softly.  “I want it to mean more.”

“What’s with all the wrapping paper over the doors and windows?”  Trixie asked as she studied the Bob-Whites’ beloved clubhouse on the day after Christmas.

“That’s so certain nosy shamuses don’t try and take a sneak peek,” Brian explained, grinning at Jim.

“Yeah, besides, you guys had all that gold and silver wrapping paper left over that Crimper’s donated.  We thought we could put it to good use.”

“Please tell me you used it all up?” Di implored, her eyes brightening at the idea.

“No such luck,” Jim admitted.  “There’s still enough to wrap the entire clubhouse for a couple of more years.”

“It is time for our party, right?”  Honey glanced at her watch.  She was holding the gift bag that held her gift for their Secret Santa exchange.

“Yes, it is.  But we can’t go in until Dan arrives,” Brian explained.

“I think I hear him,” Jim offered.  The group turned and looked towards the preserve.  In a few seconds, Dan appeared, cheerfully swinging his own festive gift bag.  It was very similar to the one Honey carried, sans the festive tissue paper.  Honey smiled, since she knew that Dan did nothing more than stuff his gift in a bag, probably one in which he’d received a present the day before. 

“Now what?”  Trixie demanded impatiently as Dan joined the group.

“What’s everyone doing standing around out here?”  Dan asked, stuffing a hand in his jacket pocket.

“Our two collegiate members indicated that all must be present and accounted for in this moment,” Mart explained.  “Then somehow, there is a clubhouse to be unwrapped.”

Dan looked at the doorway, covered in wrapping paper.  “Worried about someone snooping, huh?”

“Hey!  Be careful,” Honey warned.  “I resemble that remark!”

The group laughed, and Jim explained they had gotten the idea from a friend.  “She told me that her parents always covered the doorway to their family room in wrapping paper so that early risers couldn’t take a sneak peek at the Santa offerings.  Everyone went into the room at the same time.  Brian and I, well, we like it, and thought we’d use up some of Di’s wrapping paper-–”

“Hold it right there, buster!” Di spoke up.  “It is NOT my wrapping paper.  It’s the Bob-Whites’ wrapping paper.  Technically, I suppose it’s the Toys for Tots wrapping paper, but even they wouldn’t take it off my hands.”

“Okay, okay,” Jim held up a hand in defense, “some of OUR wrapping paper, and let you guys do the same thing.  Brian and I have done everything for the party.  Since all of you worked so hard on the fundraiser, it was only fair.”

“Agreed,” Mart nodded in appreciation.  “Let’s have at it.  I can’t wait to see what you guys have for us to eat.”

The girls stepped forward and began tearing the paper from the doorway, giggling as they handed massive wads of ripped paper to Dan and Mart.

“What food did you get for the party?”  Jim turned and looked at Brian.

Brian laughed. “Good one, Jim.  You know that you were taking care of the food.”

Jim froze.

“Uh, Brian … no, you said you’d take care of everything else.  That meant the food too.”

Mart dropped the wads of paper he was holding.  “Are you two kidding us?”

Jim quirked a questioning brow at Brian.  He had been completely serious.  He had thought Brian was taking care of the food for the party.  Admittedly, he had been distracted this holiday season.  Trixie had unwittingly taken over most of his idle thoughts as they both began to work on becoming more than friends.

Brian shook his head; he would have sworn Jim had offered to ask the Manor House cook to prepare some tasty treats for the festivities.

“I think we might have a problem,” Jim admitted as the group pushed through the now unwrapped door of the clubhouse.

The tiny cedar tree in the corner sparkled with colored lights.  The ornaments were ordinary pinecones, making for a very rustic and masculine looking tree.  A cheery, bright red plastic disposable tablecloth covered the clubhouse table.  Shiny green plates and cups sat at one end.  There was not a sign of food.  Brian and Jim stood next to each other, looking embarrassed as they held their gift bags.

“I guess we messed up a little bit on the party,” Brian said, pushing a hand through his hair in dismay.  “Maybe Jim and I could dash down to Lytell’s store and get some chips and dip.”

Mart clutched his short crew cut, pulling at it in dismay.  “You two collegiate brainiacs can manage to decorate a Christmas tree but you can’t remember to get us some food.”

Trixie bit back a laugh.  It was all too funny.  The entire Christmas season had been filled with Bob-Whites adjusting to changes.  Now, apparently even Brian and Jim had their problems with miscommunication.

She looked over at Diana, who was trying to stuff her entire fist in her mouth to keep from laughing.  When she noticed Honey and Dan, clutching each other, mouths buried in each other’s shoulders trying to refrain from laughing, she lost it.  Loud guffaws burst from her, and she laughed like she hadn’t laughed all season.  Finally, she had to sit down, tears streaming from her face as Honey, Diana and Dan joined her.  Only Mart failed to find any humor in the situation.

Brian and Jim sheepishly joined in the hilarity of the moment, as it dawned on them all that they were having a Christmas party without any food.

“Not even a crumb too small for a mouse!” Diana chortled, thinking of the old Seuss classic.

“I really fail to see what is so funny about this,” Mart spoke indignantly.  “It wasn’t like our illustrious college men had any other task to do this holiday season.  How can you forget food?”

“How did we forget boxes for the toys at the dance?”  Honey demanded, looking up at him and wiping her eyes.

“How did you forget your gift for the Christmas dance?” Dan grinned.

“How did I forget that a yard and a foot aren’t the same thing?”  Diana said weakly, gazing at the rolls of wrapping paper that Crimper’s had given them.

“We all forgot stuff this holiday season,” Trixie said, giving Jim a reassuring smile.  “It’s not the end of the world.  There are plenty of holiday leftovers at Crabapple Farm.  We’ll just move our party there.”

“Not with the sandwich crew in attendance!” Brian protested.

“The what?”  Jim’s expression was one of total confusion.

“Bobby, Larry, and Terry.  I heard Moms refer to them the other day as the BLT and ever since I’ve been thinking of them like the sandwich.”

The laughter that had just started to subside resumed. 

“I don’t know,” Mart said doubtfully.  “I’m almost afraid to go to anyone’s house.  With the kind of luck we’ve been having, it’ll probably get struck by lightning.”

“Well, I know a place we’ll be safe from sandwiches,” Honey said.  “Let’s head up to my house.  The staff has the day off, so we can feast on what’s in the kitchen to our hearts’ content.”  She gave a nod towards the little tree in the corner.  “We can even bring the tree.  There’s not one in the kitchen and I know just the spot for it.”

“Are you sure?”  Diana asked.  “I mean if Larry and Terry are at Crabapple Farm, my house should be safe.”

“I’m sure,” Jim and Honey spoke together.  After exchanging “jinx” Honey continued.  “I happen to know that there is at least half of Cook’s chocolate cake leftover in the refrigerator.  Unless Daddy found it.”

“What are we waiting for?”  Mart demanded as he handed his gift bag to Trixie and headed towards the Charlie-brown tree in the corner.  “Let’s get this party on the road.”

“But what about the rest of our decorations?” Brian protested. “We could at least do our gift exchange here?”

“What decorations?” Di asked, bewildered, as she looked around the clubhouse.

“The table covering,” Brian insisted, waving an arm at the red plastic cloth.  “We even have color coordinating plates.”

“Yes, such elaborate dinner linens are hard to find,” Trixie nodded, her blue eyes twinkling.  “How many dollar stores did you have to visit to get such a, uh, quality décor?”

Dan snorted.  “Nice job, guys.  We can bring that stuff with us.  Most of it will probably fit in my bag with my gift.”  With a yank, he pulled the disposable plastic cloth off the table and stuffed it in his gift bag.  He added the green paper plates and grinned, turning toward the door.

“Are we ready now?”

Trixie began giggling again.  “You have such a way of managing projects, Mangan!”

He gave her a mock salute.  “Thank you, Madam Co-President.  Perhaps it’s safe to say, we’ve learned from the best.”

“Go head,” Jim suggested.  “Trixie and I will bring the tree.”

The remaining Bob-Whites smirked as they left the co-presidents behind and headed toward Manor house, joking and teasing as they walked.

Trixie moved towards the tiny tree.  “Do you think we can just pick it up like it is without the ornaments falling off?”

“I’ll carry it,” Jim said.  “This is the real reason I wanted to be with you alone for a moment.”

Jim tugged her to the center of the room.  He pulled her into his arms and leaned towards her.  Suddenly his intentions were obvious and his lips softly brushed hers.  Trixie felt her heart thud, wondered if Jim could hear it as well. 

“Merry Christmas, Trixie,” Jim said softly, before kissing her again.

Trixie felt dazed.  Her heart was pounding so hard that she was certain Jim could hear it.  “Merry Christmas, Jim.  Um, I ... uh …” She blushed furiously.  “Not that I’m complaining, but what made you decide to do that?”

Jim pointed up.  “The Sleepyside baseball team was selling mistletoe.  I thought it might work to put some here.”

“Oh!”  She glanced up and saw the festive bunch of mistletoe tied with a red ribbon and was surprised she had missed it earlier in her perusal of the clubhouse.  “Sometimes it amazes me how much we think alike,” Trixie said, grinning wickedly.

“How so?” Jim asked.

Trixie pulled a similar cluster of mistletoe from her pocket and held it up to show Jim.

“You bought some, too!”  He smiled, pulling her towards him for another kiss.  “Why?’

“Just in case,” she said.  “Just in case.  Besides,” she managed before Jim took advantage of their time alone for another kiss.  “It was for a good cause.”