Aftermath

Author’s Note:  Trixie Belden® is the registered trademark of Random House. This story is not for profit. 

"I don't know what to say to her," Trixie confided fearfully to her two older brothers.

"Just be yourself," Brian advised her seriously.

"Don't be yourself," Mart corrected him.  "If you behave like the last time she was here, you're sure to give her a nervous breakdown."

"We've gotten past all of that," Trixie replied darkly.  "We got on fine when we were in Idaho.  I'm just not sure what to expect."

Mart and Brian nodded in agreement.  How do you expect a sixteen year old girl to behave after she had just lost her mother?

"Just take things slowly and see how it goes," Brian suggested.  "But try to think before you speak.  Your impulsive nature may not be appreciated in this situation."

"When is it ever appreciated?" Mart grinned.  "You'll be fine Trix, we all need to tread carefully for a while."

"I don't know what I'd do if we lost Moms," Trixie whispered.  "I can't imagine what she's going through."

They stood in silence, contemplating that idea.  It was too horrible to imagine.

"Let's not dwell on that," Brian said quickly.  "We need to be friends for Hallie and do everything we can to help her though this."

"That's them," Mart cried as they heard the crunch of gravel in the driveway.

The three of them ran out the back door and towards the car.  A tired looking Helen Belden climbed out of the passenger seat and smiled at them.

"Oh Moms, we missed you," Trixie cried and ran to embrace her mother.

Helen hugged her warmly and looked over her shoulder at Hallie, who stood behind her.

"Hey cous," Hallie said softly.

"Hey, Hallie," Trixie mumbled, as the embrace ended.  "Are we still avoiding the kissy-kissy stuff?"

"How 'bout a hug instead?" Hallie smiled and Trixie hugged her tentatively, the slender girl feeling quite fragile in her arms.

"What about us?" Mart demanded.  "We're a lot better looking than her!"

Hallie laughed in spite of herself and hugged Mart and Brian in turn.  They grabbed suitcases and followed their parents into the house.

"Would you like to stay in the guest room or do you want to share with me?" Trixie asked as she walked beside Hallie.

Hallie looked at her in surprise.

"Thanks for asking Trix," Hallie murmured.  "I guess we'll be spending enough time together, so maybe I should take the guest room."

"Well, you're welcome to "sleep over" any time you like," Trixie told her, and Helen Belden shot her a smile of encouragement.

Trixie stared at the floor, unsure of what to say.

"Well, I guess you know where everything is," she began.

"Yeah, I can remember," Hallie assured her and they looked awkwardly at each other.

"Well, I'll leave you to unpack," Trixie told her.  "We thought that maybe after lunch you'd like to go down to the lake for a swim?"

"That would be nice," Hallie nodded.

"Great," Trixie sighed with relief.  "Let me know if you need anything."

"I will," Hallie smiled gratefully.  "Thanks Trix."

Trixie closed the door behind her and Hallie sank down on the bed with a sigh.

The room had barely changed since she was last here three or four years ago, but she had.  The last year of her life had changed her dramatically, and she now felt so old, so drained of life.

Hallie looked around the room and tried to will the tears back, tried not to think about the last year, the last few months, the last week.

"You were so strong Mom," Hallie murmured.  "Help me be strong, help me make it though this."

Hallie took a deep breath and began to unpack her suitcases.

"You must be pretty psyched about going to college," Hallie remarked to Mart as they walked with Trixie and Brian to the lake.

"Pretty much," Mart grinned.  "I can't believe I'm finally leaving high school behind."

"And Di," Trixie reminded him and Mart frowned.

"I heard you two finally got together," Hallie smiled.  "How's that going to work with you two so far apart?"

"The same way it works for Brian and Honey," Mart answered firmly; he was getting sick of this question.

"So you're all pairing up," Hallie drawled.  "Does that include you and Jim too, Trix?"

Trixie blushed furiously and Mart and Brian exchanged a grin.

"Jim and I are just good friends," Trixie stammered and Hallie hid a smile.

"Where's Dan going to college?" Hallie asked casually, changing the subject.

"NYU," Trixie replied quickly.  "I think he's going to commute so us girls won't be totally abandoned in our senior year."

Hallie nodded thoughtfully and Trixie looked closely at her.  Dan and Hallie had shared a special attraction the last time Hallie had been in Sleepyside, and Trixie wondered if Hallie still harboured feelings for him.

"So do you have someone special back at home?" Trixie asked slowly.

Hallie's eyes clouded over and her head dropped slightly.

"No," she mumbled.

Brian shot Trixie a warning glance and she flushed guiltily.

"C'mon, I'll race you to the lake," Trixie invited Hallie, knowing there was no way she could beat the long-legged girl.

Hallie smiled wryly and took off after Trixie, followed by Mart and Brian.  Brian and Hallie quickly outpaced Trixie and Mart and managed to arrive at the lake together.

"Let's call it a draw," Hallie puffed, and Brian nodded with a grin.

"Hallie!  You're here!" Honey cried, rushing towards her.

Hallie accepted her hug with a shy smile.

"Did you bring your suit?" Honey asked.

"Already wearing it," Hallie assured her and smiled over at Jim.  "Hi, there handsome."

"Hi Hallie," Jim returned with an embarrassed smile and Trixie frowned at his reaction.

"Aren't you going to say hello to me?" A deep voice asked her.

Hallie whirled around to find Dan standing beside her, dressed only in swimming trunks.  His chest was toned and tanned, and his dark hair was tied back into a pony tail.

"Dan!" Hallie cried and threw her arms around him in an impulsive hug.

Dan grinned and embraced her.

"So you forgive me for not making it to Idaho?" Dan asked her, pulling back to look at her face.

"No, but you can work on making it up to me," Hallie drawled.

"You betcha," Dan grinned and he shoved his hands in his pockets and lowered his head as he realised they were the centre of attention.

"Who's up for a swim?" Honey suggested quickly and the group agreed loudly.

Brian scooped Honey up and ran towards the water, and the others followed.

"Where's Di?" Trixie asked and Mart shrugged.

"She said she was coming."

Jim and Trixie watched Hallie and Dan join Mart, Brian and Honey in a water fight.

"How's she doing?" Jim asked Trixie quietly.

"It's hard to tell," Trixie replied slowly.  "She seems okay, but I know she can't be.  She's holding it all in."

"She'll talk when she wants to," Jim told her.  "We just need to be here for her when she's ready."

Trixie looked closely at Jim.  She sometimes forgot that he had lost both of his parents and understood what Hallie was going through.  In her eyes, it made him even more amazing.

"She and Dan seem to have hit it off again," Trixie commented.  "I think they'll be good for each other."

Jim nodded and glanced quickly at Trixie.  He loved the way she was always concerned for others, she was so unselfish.

"Hi everyone, sorry I'm late," Di called out.

"Hey, Di!" Hallie called.

"Hallie!" Di replied with a wide smile.  "It's great to see you."

"Hey, sweetness," Mart murmured as she joined him in the water.  "Are you okay?"

"I was just feeling a little under the weather this morning," Di told him.  "I'm okay now though."

"You sure you're up to a swim?" Mart asked in concern.

"Mart!" Di giggled.  "I'm fine!"

He kissed her until she fell backwards into the water and came up spluttering.

Hallie and Dan swam out to the raft and climbed on to it, basking in the sun shine

"So how are you?" Dan asked quietly after they had lay in silence for a while.

"How do you think?" Hallie replied, but she was not angry.

"Angry, confused, upset, lonely, sad," Dan suggested.

"All of the above and probably in that order," Hallie told him, her voice steady.  "I'm trying not to think about it."

"How's that going?"

"Lousy," Hallie admitted.  "It's so good of Uncle Peter and Auntie Helen to have me here, but I'm afraid they're not going to like it when I finally snap."

"If you need someone to vent on, I'm here," Dan offered.  "I can handle it and I promise I won't take it personally."

"Why would you want to?" Hallie asked, turning to look at him.

Dan blinked slowly and hesitantly met her eyes.

"Because when it happened to me, I had no one," Dan almost whispered.  "And I almost went crazy.  I don't want that to happen to you."

Hallie's eyes brimmed with tears and she nodded slightly.

"Thanks," she murmured.  "I may take you up on that."

"Any time," Dan told her and smiled reassuringly at her.

"Hey, you guys going to come and get some pie?" Trixie yelled to them.

"Race ya!" Hallie dared Dan and they leapt off the raft together.

"So what are you guys up to tonight?" Trixie asked as they packed up to leave.

"Mart and I are having dinner with my parents," Di answered and Mart rolled his eyes in mock annoyance.  Di jabbed him in the ribs and he rubbed them gingerly before kissing her.

"What about you two?" Trixie asked Honey and Brian.  They exchanged a glance before answering.

"Uh... we were planning on catching a movie or something," Brian began.

"Or something?" Dan asked with raised eyebrows and Honey and Brian looked sheepish.

"Well, I guess that leaves you two out," Trixie frowned, feeling quite left out.

"What would you like to do?" Jim asked, sensing her frustration

Trixie looked at him in surprise and hoped he couldn't read her mind.

"I just thought we could all go out," Trixie mumbled.  "It's Hallie's first night here."

"Why can't the four of us go out?" Dan suggested.  "We can grab dinner at Wimpy's and then catch a movie or something?"

"Or something?" Hallie drawled with a grin.

"Not that kind of something," Jim told her.  "How does that sound Trix?"

"Sounds good," Trixie replied with a smile.  It was the closest thing to a double date she was going to get.  "Are you up to it Hallie?"

"Sure," Hallie agreed.  "Sounds like a good plan."

"We'll come by and pick you up around seven," Dan told them with a pleased smile.

He bid the others goodbye and walked off into the preserve, whistling happily and the men exchanged a grin.  

"Sorry we can't come tonight Hallie," Di offered apologetically.  "Maybe we can do something together tomorrow."

"I'd like that," Hallie accepted.  The two girls had shared a tent together while camping in Idaho and had formed a close friendship.

"I'll call you," Di promised as she and Mart left.

"Tell Moms I'll be home later," Brian told Trixie, as he took Honey's hand.

Trixie nodded and her eyes travelled over to Jim.  He smiled at her and she grew warm under his gaze.

"I'll see you ladies tonight," Jim said, his eyes lingering on Trixie.

Trixie smiled and nodded and Hallie couldn't help but grin at their exchange.

"We're looking forward to it Jim," Hallie drawled.  "See you then."

Trixie took one last look at the retreating figure of Jim and turned to follow Hallie.

"You've sure got it bad," Hallie laughed as Trixie caught up with her.

"I don't know what you mean," Trixie mumbled.

"Trixie, it's obvious you're mad about him and I'd say the feeling was mutual.  Why don't you do something about it?"

"He's not interested in me," Trixie muttered.

"You must be blind," Hallie cried.  "It couldn't be more obvious unless he told you."

"That's just it," Trixie replied in frustration.  "He hasn't said anything and surely he would if he cared about me."

"Have you told him the way you feel?" Hallie demanded and Trixie shook her head.  "Well, there you go then.  What if he isn't sure about the way you feel for him?"

Trixie opened her mouth to reply, but closed it without speaking.

"It must be really hard for you with Jim away at college," Hallie remarked gently.  "Most likely harder than it is for Honey and Brian."

"I'm scared he's going to meet someone else," Trixie admitted miserably.

"Trix, you have to tell him how you feel," Hallie told her firmly.  "What have you got to lose?"

"Everything," Trixie moaned.

"Trixie..." Hallie began in a familiar tone.

"Who do you think you are Hallie Belden?" Trixie cried angrily.  "You've been here five minutes and you're already telling me how to run my life.  You think you've got all the answers, don't you?  Well, I'm telling you - stay out my life!"

Hallie stared at her, stunned.  Tears welled in her eyes and she opened her mouth to respond, but bit her lip quickly and turned and ran into the preserve.

"Hallie?  Oh, Hallie I'm sorry," Trixie cried.  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!"

Trixie's head spun in regret and frustration.  Why had she lost control like that and taken it out on Hallie?  

"Dad and Moms are going to kill me," she moaned as she debated whether or not to go after Hallie.

She decided to leave her to cool down.    Overcome with guilt and shame, she walked slowly home and wondered if this was going to be the worst summer of her life.

"Hallie?" Dan called in surprise and he rounded the bend on Spartan.  He was deep within the game preserve and the last thing expected to find was Hallie.

She looked up at him, her blackberry eyes swollen from crying.

"Do you need someone to talk to?" Dan offered, climbing down from Spartan.

Hallie nodded and Dan sat down on the log next to Hallie.  She wiped her tearstained face and sighed.

"I'm okay," she told him.  "Trixie and I had a little altercation.  What she said didn't really upset me, it just triggered my tears and I ran off."

She tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Hey, it's okay," Dan consoled her and hesitantly placed his hand on her shoulder.

His dark eyes clouded as if he could feel her pain seeping into him, but he did not withdraw his touch.

"No, it's not okay," Hallie sniffed.  "She was right, I interfered where I shouldn't have.  I didn't realise she was so touchy about Jim."

Dan grimaced and allowed himself a small smile.

"You sure are game going there," he told her.  "Even Honey won't raise that subject with her or Jim, while it's perfectly obvious to us how they feel about each other.  She'll get over it."

"I hope so," Hallie sighed.  "I've been sitting here bawling my eyes out, feeling sorry for myself and wondering how I can go back to Crabapple Farm and face everyone."

"I'm sure Trixie's feeling pretty bad at the moment too," Dan assured her.  "You shouldn't worry, the Beldens will understand."

"Will they?" Hallie asked.  "Do they understand what it's like to lose your mother?  To watch her slowly fade away and your family fall apart?  How could they understand that?"

Dan's eyes closed briefly; her pain an intense reminder of his past.

"I know how it feels," he murmured.  "And I know how it feels to think that no one else understands, but don't shut them out.  They love you Hallie and they do understand that you're dealing with an intense grief and they want to be there for you.  Be thankful you have that."

Hallie looked into his eyes and saw her pain reflected in his eyes.  He knew.  He knew everything she was feeling, he'd been there before.  And he didn't ask how she was or what was wrong, because he already knew.

"You're right," she admitted, shame-faced.  "I'm being selfish."

"That's okay," Dan consoled her, gently rubbing her back.  "You can be selfish if you want, you can be angry, you can be happy.  Just don't shut out the people who care about you."

Hallie nodded and she managed a small smile.

"Thankyou."

Dan nodded, embarrassed.  Her words meant a lot to him and he could tell that she had taken to heart what he had said.  He removed his hand from her shoulder and stood up.

"Are you going to be okay?  I need to finish patrolling the game preserve if I'm going to make it to pick you up on time tonight."

"I feel a lot better now," Hallie told him gratefully.  "I'm glad you found me."

"So am I," Dan replied and their eyes locked for a brief instant.

Dan wondered how it would feel to take her in his arms and kiss her soft, pink lips and reassure her that he would take care of her.

Hallie longed for him to hold her and feel the reassuring warmth of his body, his mouth on hers.

They both looked away, embarrassed and slightly unnerved by what they saw in each other's eyes.

"I'd better go," Hallie said quickly.  "I'll see you tonight."

Dan nodded and quickly mounted Spartan.  He watched Hallie disappear into the trees and tried to ignore the sensation growing within his chest.

"We were starting to get worried about you," Helen said on Hallie's return.

Hallie met Trixie's eyes quickly.

"Didn't Trixie tell you I went for a walk?" Hallie asked.

"Yes, but it's been a while since you've been in these woods, we don't want you getting lost," Helen's tone showed her concern.

"I just needed some time alone," Hallie explained.  "And I ran into Dan.  I guess that's why I was longer than you thought I'd be."

"That's fine dear," Helen replied.  "I'm glad you weren't alone the whole time."

"I guess I'd better go up and get ready," Hallie told her.  "Did Trixie tell you we were going out tonight?"

"Yes, she did," Helen smiled.  "And I'm glad you are.  Now go and get ready."

Hallie smiled and she headed upstairs, beckoning to Trixie as she did.

"I want to apologise..." they both began and then grinned sheepishly.

"You first," Hallie offered.

"I'm sorry I got mad at you," Trixie blurted.  "You hit on a sore spot and I just unloaded all my frustrations on you.  I'm so sorry.  I feel really terrible about what I did."

"I know," Hallie replied with a small smile.  "I know you'd feel terrible about it regardless of my situation.  But you don't have to apologise for reacting the way you did, I shouldn't have said that.  I shouldn't have interfered.  And I did the same thing you did, I just had to unload all of my feelings which is why I ran off."

Trixie looked up at her cousin sheepishly.

"Dad keeps telling me we're so alike," Trixie admitted.  "I just wish I looked more like you."

"And I wish I looked more like you," Hallie grinned.

"Why?" Trixie gasped.

"Do you think it's fun being this tall?"  Hallie replied.  "Most of the guys my age are a foot smaller than I am."

"I guess that's why you like older guys," Trixie teased and Hallie grinned wryly.

"Speaking of older guys, we'd better get ready before they turn up."

Trixie nodded with relief and they exchanged a smile.  

"First dibs on the shower," Hallie cried.

"You look nice," Trixie whispered to Dan as they walked into Wimpy's.

"So do you," he grinned and Trixie smiled self consciously as she slid into a booth next to Jim.

"This place hasn't changed a bit," Hallie commented.

"Sleepyside never seems to change," Trixie replied with a sigh.  "I can't wait until I get to college and get to live somewhere different for once in my life."

"And you'll miss it like crazy, believe me," Jim told her.  "As much as I like college, I still miss Sleepyside and everyone here."

"It's hard being away from your family and friends," Hallie agreed.  "They must miss you too."

Trixie frowned and became interested in the menu.

"I guess so," Jim replied with a sideways glance at Trixie.  "Dan, you must be glad you're not heading too far from home."

"Pretty much," Dan admitted.  "I'm looking forward to college, but I couldn't afford accommodation and tuition so this is the next best thing.  Besides, it means I still get to spend time with the three prettiest, no make that four prettiest girls in Sleepyside."

Hallie and Trixie laughed.

"You've always had such a way with the ladies," Jim grinned.  "They seem to gravitate towards you, I don't know how you do it."

"Looking for some tips?" Dan teased and Jim flushed, conscious of Trixie's gaze.

He was saved by the waiter and the subject was forgotten as they gave their orders.

"So how has college been going?" Hallie asked Jim.  "Been making the Dean's list?"

"Every semester," Trixie interjected proudly and Jim smiled self-consciously.

"It's good," Jim admitted.  "I'm enjoying the course and getting a lot out of it.  It's great sharing a room with Brian.  I swear I would have died from homesickness if he hadn't been there with me."

"I'm sure he felt the same way," Trixie told him.  "I know Honey's missed him like crazy.  She starts getting unbearable after a week or two."

"And how have you been coping Trix?" Hallie asked slyly.

"I don't know what you mean," Trixie mumbled.

"You must miss Brian and Jim," Hallie told her.  "And it's going to be weird for you with Mart gone as well."

"Yeah, I'll have to put up with both Honey and Di pining after my brothers," Trixie replied quickly.  "It's enough to make me sick."

Dan and Jim grinned and Jim wondered briefly if Trixie ever pined after him.

"Let's not talk about college," Jim said.  "We've got a whole month until school starts back and I just want to enjoy it."

"I agree," Trixie added.  "Let's talk about what we're going to do for the rest of the summer.  Maybe we can even squeeze in a mystery."

Dan and Jim groaned as Hallie and Trixie's eyes lit up.

"That was a crock!" Hallie remarked as they left the cinema.  "She was attracted to him from the beginning, she didn't need the money to sleep with him."

"I don't agree," Jim returned.  "She was in love with her husband, she only did it for him."

"Oh, come on!" Hallie cried.  "She just wanted him to validate her desire to sleep with Robert Redford.  Why do you think she started seeing him after she split with her husband?"

"Then why did she end up with her husband in the end?" Jim retorted.

"Because she was stupid," Hallie laughed.  "Who'd love someone who'd blow all their money on a damn endangered animal or whatever?"

"I think it's kind of romantic," Trixie interjected and Hallie snorted.  "I do!  She did it all for him, thinking that's what he wanted and he was prepared to give it all up for her.  I think that's sweet."

Jim rewarded her with a smile and Hallie shook her head in exasperation.

"What do you think?" She asked Dan.

"Hey, I'm not getting into this," Dan told her.

"Coward!" She accused him with a grin.  "Well, let me ask you all this, do you think she did the right thing?"

The others groaned.

"Can we continue this conversation over coffee?" Jim pleaded and the others consented.

"If it was a choice between Robert Redford and Woody Harrelson, then I'd be choosing Robert Redford," Trixie told them as they sat down in the cinema cafe.

"Isn't he a bit old?" Dan asked.

"He's still better looking than Woody," Trixie replied.  "Besides, he was very good looking when he was younger."

"I never thought I'd hear you talk about a guy like that," Dan teased her.  "Even if it is a movie star."

"I guess Di and Honey are starting rub off on me," Trixie admitted ruefully.  "But Moms used to watch these old Robert Redford movies and I kind of developed a thing for him."

Dan and Hallie hooted in laughter.

"My Mom used to tell my Dad he looked like Robert Redford," Jim remembered with a small smile.  "Pity he didn't pass the resemblance on to me."

Trixie swallowed and stared down at the menu.  She deliberately hadn't mentioned that the main reason she liked Robert Redford was because he reminded her of Jim.

"Anyway," Hallie continued.  "You've gone off the subject, the question was would you sleep with someone other than your wife or husband if you were flat broke and were offered a fortune?"

"No," the others replied emphatically.

"You're kidding," Hallie cried.  "Oh, come on.  You wouldn't even consider it?"

"I think all of us have been in the position where we've had no or little money," Dan began.  "I did some things I'm not proud of when I was living on the streets, but I wouldn't stoop that low."

"I'm with Dan," Jim told Hallie.  "What about you?  You haven't told us what you would do?"

"It would depend on the situation," Hallie replied carefully.  "If I was attracted to that person, like I think she was, then the decision may not be so hard."

"Then you're not in love with that person to start with," Jim pointed out.

"That's my point exactly!" Hallie cried triumphantly.  "Isn't that what I've been trying to tell you?"

Jim open his mouth to protest, but ended up laughing.  He shook his head as the waitress came over to take their order.

"Next time you're not choosing the movie," Trixie told her.  "We'll go for something safe like 'The Fugitive.'"

"You call that safe?" Dan asked with a grin.  "Hallie will probably be trying to debate truth versus duty with us, and you know I plan on joining the Police Force."

Hallie poked her tongue out at Dan and they all laughed.

"Gees, just trying to start an interesting conversation," Hallie sighed.  "Would you rather talk about the weather?"

"I heard it's going to be hot tomorrow," Jim remarked.  "Sounds like a great day to spend at the lake again."

"Is that all you guys do?" Hallie asked.  "Float around on the lake everyday?"

"What would you like to do?" Trixie asked.

"Float around on the lake," Hallie replied and Trixie poked her tongue out at Hallie.  "Seriously though, I like hanging out with you guys, it's fun."

"We like having you here," Jim responded earnestly.  "It's a shame Cap and Knut couldn't come too."

Hallie smiled sadly.

"That would have been nice," she sighed.  "I think they'd like it here."

An awkward silence followed that was thankfully broken by the arrival of their coffees.

"Does Regan still run the stables?" Hallie asked over the rim of her cup.

"You bet," Jim replied.  "He's busier than ever now that we're not around so much, but we won't let Dad get rid of the horses because we'd be lost when we all come back during our breaks."

"Maybe we could go for a moonlight ride tomorrow night," Trixie suggested.  "We could even take a picnic supper."

"That sounds great," Jim replied and looked across at Trixie.  "It would be like that ride you and Honey and I had the first summer I came to Sleepyside."

Trixie nodded and they shared a smile.  Hallie wondered how they could not see how they felt in each other's eyes, when it was so plain for her.

"That sounds really nice," Hallie commented.  "Can you make it Dan?"

"Sure," he smiled at her.  "I'll ask Mr Maypenny if you can borrow his horse.  He's a bit old though."

"I'd rather double with you," Hallie told him and Dan smiled in surprise.

"Sure, Spartan and I won't mind."

"Great," Trixie cried.  "I'll organise it with the others tomorrow.  Gleeps!  It's getting late, you must be exhausted Hallie."

"I'm a little tired," she admitted.  Her face was pale and her eyes looked weary.

"Let's get you home then," Dan told her protectively and Trixie hid a smile.  She was happy to see the spark between Hallie and Dan was still there.  They'd be so good together.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" Jim asked Trixie softly as he drove home.

"It was great," Trixie smiled at him, listening to Dan and Hallie talk softly in the back seat.  "Thanks for coming."

"It's good to spend time with you," Jim told her hesitantly.  "You don't know how much I miss this."

"Going to the movies?" Trixie asked, her heart in her mouth.

"Not just that," Jim replied and hesitated, trying to find the right words.  "I've missed everything about being here, and the things that make home so very special to me."

"The Bobwhites haven't really been the same since you and Brian left," Trixie answered uncertainly.

Jim tensed his jaw, trying to find the right words, but knowing this was not the ideal time.  He glanced down at Trixie and his heart skipped a beat to see his identity bracelet on her wrist even though he knew she always wore it.

"Well, we're home now," Jim responded finally and he gave her a small smile which she returned.

"So we are," she replied as Jim pulled into the driveway of Crabapple Farm.

"Thanks for everything," Hallie told Dan.  "I had a good time with you today."

"Me too," Dan smiled and their eyes met again, as they had done hours ago in the preserve.

"We'll see you guys tomorrow," Trixie told them and she and Hallie waved as the car backed out of the driveway.

"Did you have a good time?" Trixie asked Hallie.

"Yeah, did you?"

Trixie nodded and they quietly slipped into the house.

"See you in the morning."

"Yeah, 'night Trix."

Trixie hurriedly brushed her teeth and climbed into bed.  Her head was a jumble of images, voices and flashes of the days events.  She remembered the look on Jim's face when Hallie called him handsome and tried to ignore the gnawing at her heart.  Her mind leapt to Hallie and Dan and the way they interacted, like it hadn't been years since they last saw each other.  She thought ashamedly of her fight with Hallie and then with relief at their exchange of apologies.

Then she thought of Jim and their conversation on the way home.  Had he been trying to tell her something?  Was she one of the things he missed most about Sleepyside?

Trixie shook the thoughts out of her head and drifted off to sleep.

"Don't leave me!  Stay with me!  Please stay with me!"

Hallie's cries startled Trixie from a deep sleep and she wondered momentarily if she had been dreaming it.

"No!  Don't go!"

Trixie jumped out of bed and stumbled in the dark towards her doorway.  The hall light came on and she saw Moms hurrying towards Hallie's room.

"It's okay Trixie," Helen told her.  "I'll go.  Can you make sure Bobby's okay?"

Trixie nodded and tiptoed across to Bobby's room.  Her ten year old brother lay fast asleep, his well-worn bear tucked tightly in his arms.  She backed out and noticed that the door to her brother's room remained closed.  She wished she could sleep as soundly as her brothers did.

Trixie went back to bed and listened to the murmur of voices in the room next door.  She recognised the soothing tone's of her mother's voice and the ragged sobs of Hallie's crying.

She got up again and tiptoed to the doorway of Hallie's room and listened.

"She's gone," Hallie sobbed.  "I can't believe she's gone.  I loved her so much."

"I know, Hallie," Helen murmured in soothing tones.  "I know it hurts.  She loved you too."

"What am I going to do without her?" Hallie cried and she gasped as the sobs wracked her body.

Helen took her in her arms and rubbed her back helplessly.

Tears welled in Trixie's eyes and she slipped back into her bedroom, greatly disturbed by the scene.  She curled up in bed, an empty anguish haunting her body. 

She couldn't imagine what Hallie had gone through since her mother was diagnosed with cancer.  Moms had told her how strong Hallie had been for her mother, how devoted she had been. 

But now her mother was gone and Hallie had no one to be strong for. 

This was the aftermath.

The End