Trixie , Honey and Diana let out a high pitched scream simultaneously. Not from fear, but from excitement. They had just graduated high school. Clutching their diplomas in one hand and their caps in the other, they stood in one spot, waiting for their friends and family to come to them.

The Bob white men, found them first. Brian and Mart hugged their respective girlfriends. Dan reached Trixie first, and pulled her into a bear hug.

“Congratulations Trix! You made it!”

“Thanks Dan!”

Dan released her to congratulate the other two girls, and Brian and Mart moved to hug their sister.

Jim kissed his sister, and gave Di a hug. Hanging back slightly, he waited until Trixie turned to look for him. Their eyes met and he held open his arms and she stepped easily into them.

Jim closed his eyes. He inhaled slowly, finding her scent intoxicating. He had made up his mind before he came home from Harvard. He wasn’t going to let this go anymore. He had to talk to Trixie about their relationship. Or rather the lack of the kind of relationship he wanted with her. They had dated on and off, always together for the Proms, and dances, and other major events in their lives. But, never crossing the line to boyfriend and girlfriend. He was attending college in Boston, and wasn’t home much throughout the school year. Jim wanted Trixie to enjoy her high school years, and not be stuck waiting for her boyfriend to come home. A conversation with Brian last week, had opened his eyes that maybe he’d waited to long.

Brian had gotten off the phone with his mother. He had called to let her know when he and Jim would get into town for the graduations. Jim looked up from the computer screen where he was typing out his last paper.

“How goes it? Everything still on?”

Brian nodded. “I didn’t get tot ask Trixie what her plans were for after graduation- whether they were going to any parties or not.”

“Honey said their plans were still up in the air?”

Brian again, nodded.

“So, why couldn’t you talk to Trix?”Jim tried to sound casual.

“She was out.” Brian said, watching Jim carefully. “With Nick Roberts.”

Jim looked at his screen on the computer, but saw nothing. His heart thundered in his chest. ‘What does that mean? Out with Nick? Are they dating? Why is this the first I’ve heard of it?’

Brian almost seemed to sense his best friend’s turmoil. He waited, silently, but Jim didn’t say anything.

“Jim? Are you ok?”

Jim’s head snapped up, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because Trixie is out with Nick, maybe?”

“She’s free to date anyone she wants.”

“Yes, and you may deny this, but I know you’d rather she date you.” Brian said.

Jim swallowed.

“I won’t deny it.” He said finally.

Brian couldn’t let this opportunity slide.

“Then why haven’t you ever pursued it?”

Jim shrugged. “I wanted her to be free and not waiting around for me to come home. There is so much for her to enjoy in her last years in high school. If she was waiting for her boyfriend to come home all the time, she wouldn’t get to do much.”

“Ever the honorable one! Trixie would have had fun, and she would have waited for you. Because that’s what she wants to do.”

“Is she dating Nick now?”

Brian would have laughed if he didn’t know this scenario bothered Jim.

“Moms said he called and asked her the other day. They went to the movies. As far as I know, they are just friends. Yet. I don’t know if they have any feelings for eachother.”

Jim nodded, unable to speak past the sickening feeling lodged in his throat.

“Trixie is a pretty girl, Jim. I’m not surprised she hasn’t gone out more than she has.”

“Trixie is beautiful!” Jim burst out before he could stop himself.

Brian grinned, “Well, my friend, the question is, are you going to do anything about that?”

Jim stared at Brian long and hard. He was right, he had to do something. Or he might never get the chance with Trixie.

 

Trixie clung to Jim longer than was necessary, but she was so reluctant to let him go. It seemed she had waited forever for him to get serious. They were best friends who went out occasionally. Trixie wanted more. She was hoping she could accomplish that now that she had graduated. They had the rest of the summer together before Trixie started NYU and Jim went back to Harvard.

More friends came up to wish them congrats and Jim let her go. He resisted tugging on the blond curl that had fallen into her eyes. Trixie’s blue eyes bore holes into him, almost hoping he’d get the silent message. Nick walked up and Trixie bit her lip and turned away to greet him.

“Hey all!” Nick greeted the group.

‘Hey Nick, still planning on joining us at the party?” Di asked.

The Wheeler’s, Belden’s, and Lynches decided to throw a group party at the lake for the girls. There would be swimming, boating, food and refreshments.

Nick said, “You better believe it!” he looked down at Trixie when he said it, and Jim couldn’t help the clenching of his fist. Not that he would ever think of actually hitting him, but, the urge was there to proclaim Trixie his. Jim knew that was ridiculous. They were the ones who were friends, and she was dating Nick. Although he hoped it really wasn’t true.

Their parents had come at that point and pulled the girls away for pictures. Jim stood with the other guys and Nick. He made polite conversation, or at least he hoped he did. He caught Dan throwing a confused look his way a couple of times, but Dan hadn’t said anything else.

Finally, the parents were finished with the pictures, and they herded their respective families to their cars. Trixie, Honey and Di rode in the Bob White station wagon with the guys. Jim smiled at Trixie when she slid across the seat to sit next to him. There wasn’t room for Nick.”Too bad!”

Jim dropped off the Belden kids first. They needed to change and meet everyone down at the lake. Diana had brought a bag of clothes to change into, and went up to the Manor House with Honey.

 

Jim changed into shorts and a tshirt. Grabbing his sunglasses, he went downstairs to wait for the girls. Finally, Honey and Di came down dressed comfortably in shorts and nice t shirts. They walked to the lake to meet the rest of the group before guests began to arrive. On the way over to the lake, Jim tried to sound casual as he asked about Nick and Trixie.

“So, Brian said Trix went out with Nick.”

“Yeah, they went to a movie.” Honey answered.

Silence followed. Jim was trying to figure out how to bring it up again to get more details from his sister. Finally, he had no other choice but to ask, “So, are they an item now?”

Di and Honey exchanged glances, and both hid grins.

“Um, I don’t know.” Honey said.

“You don’t know? How could you not know? You’re her best friend!”

“Why is it so important, Jim?” Honey asked her brother.

Di had to stoop to tie her shoe and it just so happened to be in time to hide her grin.

Jim’s face was beet red as he stammered out an answer.

“S-she’s my best friend, Honey. Of course I want to know what’s new in her life.”

“Uh-huh! Maybe you should ask her then!” Honey said, and grabbed Di’s hand and pulled her ahead of Jim as they walked.

The Belden’s were already there by the time they arrived. He saw his parents off to the side under an awning talking to them and the Lynches. Jim scanned the growing crowd for his favorite blond. He spied her coming out of the boathouse, changed into a swimming suit. It was a blue bikini, a very small bikini. Jim gulped and felt the heat of the day bearing down on him. He found he couldn’t move, and stood silently watching Trixie.

This is ridiculous Frayne! You’re 20 years old. You’ve known her forever, and she’s over there, laughing and having fun while you’re stuck over here talking to yourself.

 

Jim took a step toward her, when Nick Roberts came out of nowhere and scooped her. She squealed in surprise and begged Nick to put her down.

“Oh I will. In the lake!” Nick laughed.

“No!! Put me down, right now! I’m not ready to get wet yet!” Trixie begged.

“She’s right, Nick, put her down before you pull a muscle!” Mart chimed in.

“You’ll need your strength for volleyball!” Dan called out.

Nick looked into Trixie’s eyes and licked his lips, pretending to ponder the situation.

“Ok, I’ll put you down if you agree to be my partner for the volleyball game.”

“Deal!” Trixie agreed.

Laughing, she slid from his arms onto the ground once more. Trixie turned and her eyes met Jim’s . He was so serious, and Trixie felt the smile on her face falter. Jim looked away and walked over to where Brian and Honey were in conversation with their parents. Trixie felt disappointed he didn’t come to speak to her.

Jim tried to have fun, he really did. He watched Trixie and Nick partner up and take on Mart and Dan in volleyball. He watched them swim and play in the water. He watched them lay and bask in the warm sun side by side. And Jim died a little each time Trixie smiled or laughed for Nick, every time she looked up at Nick with those gorgeous blue eyes. He missed the times Trixie was wistfully watching him. Hoping he’d join their fun, hoping he’d come closer to her, just talk with her like they used to. She was desperately afraid they’d grown apart since Jim had gone away to college. And short of throwing herself at him, she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t even know if she could do that. She was so afraid of his rejection. They hadn’t spoken yet since school had let out. Did he have a girlfriend? Oh god! Why did I have to think that?

The day wore on and many friends came to celebrate with the girls. From Mr. Maypenny, Mrs. Vanderpoel, and Mr. Lytell to friends from school. It was getting darker and the group of Bob Whites helped to clean up the mess. Trixie tossed her sunglasses into the boathouse, so she wouldn’t lose them. And she proceeded to finish gathering up the trash from the picnic tables.

Friends came to say good bye, and Trixie walked with them. Nick asked her to walk with him up to his car, and she agreed, calling to the others that she’d be back.

Brian watched Trixie walk away with Nick and then stole a glance at Jim. Jim was packing up the coolers with Dan and at first glance, he seemed oblivious to Trixie leaving with Nick. Then, he looked closer and he saw Jim’s body was stiff, and his face drawn. He debated going over to talk with him, but now just wasn’t the place and time. He let it go and hauled boxes of left over paper plates, napkins and food up to the Manor House.

Trixie and Nick stood near his car in the Manor House driveway talking.

“Hey Trix, how about going out again this weekend?”

Trixie bit her lip. She had fun with Nick, and she liked him, but something was missing. She wasn’t sure what it was or at least she wouldn’t admit it to herself.

“Um, I’m not really sure what the Bob Whites are up to this weekend. We did say we were going to try to do something. Can I let you know?”

Nick looked down into her eyes. He saw what she couldn’t say. He knew it was a losing battle. She loved Jim. Always had and always would.

“Sure Trixie, that will work. I’ll see you.”

“Bye Nick.”

Trixie watched Nick turn around and drive away. She heard voices and looked up to see the rest of the gang coming up the trail from behind the stable. With a quick glance, she saw Jim was missing. Trixie walked toward them.

“Hey is that everything?” she asked.

“Yes, you missed the work as usual, squaw!” Mart said.

Brian was coming up the trail, last from what she could see.

“Brian, where’s Jim?”

Brian set the box down and waited until the group had moved, leaving them alone.

“He’s still down there.”

Trixie cocked her head to the side, “I thought Mart said that was everything.”

Brian watched her face , “He needed some time to himself.”

“Is something wrong?”she asked, the concern for Jim evident.

Brian decided to take the bull by the horns, or his sister anyway.

“Are you and Nick serious about each other?”

“No! I mean, he’s a friend, that’s all.”

“Ok, well, you might want to mention that to Jim.”

Trixie was confused and it showed on her face.

“Why does Jim need to know if Nick and I are serious or not, and what difference does it make?”

Brian grinned down at his little sister.

“Think about it, Trix.” That was all he said and then he walked away.

Trixie stood for a minute and then heard Honey call to her.

Trixie waved and yelled, “I have to go back to get my sunglasses at the boathouse!”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Honey called back.

Trixie shook her head. “No, that’s ok. I’ll get them and meet you all back here.”

Without waiting for a reply, Trixie turned to go back down the path toward the lake.

What is Brian talking about? Why does Jim need to know if Nick and I are serious? Unless…. No! He wouldn’t…. Would he?

 

Trixie arrived at the lake and had to squint into the dimming light to find Jim. She’d almost thought he’d left afterall, when she saw him sitting at the end of the dock, dangling his feet over.

She walked quietly up to stand just behind him. He seemed lost in thought, and didn’t hear her walk up.

“Jim.” She said very softly.

Jim jumped.

“I- I didn’t hear you.”

“I’m sorry. Why are you down here? We are up at the Manor House waiting for you to watch movies.”

“I just needed time to think, Trixie.” He answered in a rough voice.

Trixie plopped down and sat next to him, mimicking his pose of dangling his feet over the dock.

“About what?” She watched him closely. Not easy as it was getting dark, but she leaned closer to see his face. He was upset about something.

Jim reached down and grasped her hand in his. For a moment he just held her hand, looking down at their fingers entwined. Then he let go of her hand and rested his on his leg.

Finally, he answered, “About how stupid I am.”

“You aren’t stupid Jim Frayne! You’re one of the smartest people I have ever known!” Trixie protested.

She looked up into his eyes, but the dim light deterred her from seeing what was in those green depths.

“Too bad Nick had to go, huh?” Jim changed the subject. “You two looked like you were having fun.”

Hhmm. The conversation with Brian came back to her. Maybe.

“This whole day was great. I had fun, as did everyone I think. Except maybe you.”

Jim opened his mouth to protest, yet couldn’t honestly do it. He closed his mouth again, and looked back over the water.

“Jim, did you know Nick and I went out last weekend?”

Jim closed his eyes. Don’t turn the knife Trixie, please don’t.

“Uh huh.’ He said.

“He’s a good friend to all of us. I like him a lot.”

Maybe I could slip off the dock and drown myself.

Seemingly oblivious to Jim’s discomfort, Trixie prattled on.

“But, I could never be interested in him like a boyfriend or anything.”

Wait! What was that? Could it be? Jim sat a little straighter and cleared his throat.

“Why is that Trixie? Do you have another boyfriend?”

Trixie took a deep breath. She was sure Brian had given her a head’s up on this, and she found that no time was like the present.

“Not yet. But there is someone I have in mind.” Trixie took his hand again.

Jim was quiet for a long minute. Trixie’s heart clutched when she thought maybe she was wrong. Oh woe! What did I do? If I was wrong- !

“Anyone I know?” Jim cut into her thoughts.

 

His thumb was now rubbing the back of her knuckles and she found it hard to concentrate. She looked up and Jim’s face was very close to hers. She looked into his eyes, and without breaking eye contact, Jim moved his face closer still.

With her free hand, she brushed a lock of hair from his forehead.

“You know him very well. You see him everyday in the mirror.” She whispered and her eye lids fluttered shut as Jim’s mouth lowered onto hers.

The kiss was sweet. Their lips molded together, Jim moved his head to the side to get a better angle, and his free hand clasped the back of her head to his. Trixie felt his fingers gently fist in her hair, and she pulled her hand free from his to wrap both arms around his neck. Jim opened his mouth slightly, nibbling on her lower lip slightly. They held each other tightly, finally breaking the kiss. Jim rested his forehead on hers, softly panting. Trixie opened her eyes to see Jim’s staring back at her.

“I- I have wanted to do that for a long time.” He whispered.

“Why didn’t you?” She asked cocking her head.

He pulled back from her but still held her hand.

“A lot of reasons, but none of them had to do with me not wanting to, Shamus.”

Trixie waited, and finally he looked at her and said, “I didn’t want to tie you down to a boyfriend who couldn’t be here with you. I wanted you to have fun.”

Trixie felt a panic sweeping over her.

“We have the summer, but in the fall then you are going back to Boston, and I will be here in New York. Does that mean, that um, we only have the summer?”

Trixie held her breath. She’d waited forever for Jim, and wasn’t prepared to have a summer fling and then walk away.

Jim frowned, and asked, “Is that what you want? Because, Trixie I still worry about us being separated. Is that really fair to you to expect your boyfriend, that is if I am your boyfriend-?”

Trixie placed a finger on his mouth, silencing him.

“I would love for you to be my boyfriend, and for me to be your girlfriend.”

“Really?”

Trixie nodded.

“And I know we can work out the distance. I want to see you as much as I can, but I know too, that won’t always be possible.” Trixie said.

“I can drive down here more. Maybe you can come up to Boston for a weekend.”

“There you see, we can work it out.” Trixie stood up and held a hand out for Jim. He stood up too, and they turned to walk back to the Manor House.

“I love you Trixie.” Jim said squeezing her hand, looking down at her.

Trixie stood on her toes to reach up to kiss him.

“I love you too, Jim.”

Jim kissed her again and then began to walk.

 

The closer they got the house, Jim stopped her more often for more kisses. When they stepped clear of the garage and stables, he slowed his pace.

“Trixie, I know we can make our relationship work. We’ve taken this first step. Then after we get done with school, we can be together as much as you want. If you want, that is.”

Trixie smiled. Her eyes reflecting the yard light, as she looked up at him. All of her love for him was in that one look and Jim felt weak kneed.

He slowly lowered his head to kiss her once more before they joined the others.

Original Universe

Second Step?