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Trixie Belden burst excitedly into her dorm room. “I can’t believe my last final is o-v-e-r over!” With that exclamation she burst into an excited jig, spinning around and flinging papers into the air.
One of her roommates and close friend, Honey Wheeler, calmly looked up from the suitcase she was packing. “Say Diana,” she commented dryly. “Do you think our roomie is a wee bit excited about finishing her finals?”
“Oh I don’t know Hon,” responded Diana Lynch in an equally dry tone. “Why don’t we ask her and find out. That is, if we can get her to stop spinning.”
Trixie stopped her wild spinning, only to flop herself on Honey’s bed, causing the neatly folded items to fly out of the suitcase.
“Argh! You fiend! You did that on purpose.”
“Yep!” Flashing an evil grin, Trixie grabbed a couple of shirts from the pile and threw them over to Diana. “Ah…life is good!” She then stretched herself over the rest of Honey’s pile.
“Fine, see if I help you pack.” Honey tried tugging a shirt out from underneath and managed to roll Trixie onto the floor.
Diana chose that moment to come over and help. “I’ll protect you Honey! I’ll sit on her so you can finish packing.” Suiting action to words, Diana straddled Trixie’s back.
“Oof - you big doofus! I was just trying to save time. Ugh - we’re just going to pack again in another couple of days, so - erf - why make a big fuss over nothing?” Each time Trixie tried to get up, Diana tickled her into submission.
“Should I ask…?” Ryma Hagen, their roommate from southern California, stood in the doorway, one eyebrow raised quizzically. “I know you folks have known each other a long time, and people on the east coast do things differently, but…”
Three heads looked as one at the door. Seeing their roomie, the three friends resumed their activities.
“Ryma - help!” yelped Trixie. “Can you get this…this…crazy woman off me?”
“Oh I don’t know.” Ryma stroked her chin thoughtfully. “I’ve never seen you quite so…submissive before. From everything I’ve heard about you, this is rather - um - unusual.” Striding casually across the room, she sat on one of the unoccupied beds. “I can see some definite blackmail potential here. Now let’s see, where did I put my camera?
She made a half-hearted attempt to stand up. She sat back down with a rueful grin on her face. “Rats! I packed it away already.”
Honey let out a triumphant, if inelegant snort. “Ha! See - even Ryma’s packed already.”
“That’s because she has to fly back home to California before she meets us for camp.” Trixie made another attempt to get out from under Diana. Giving a huge shove, she succeeded in rolling Diana off to the side. Bouncing up, she shook her hands over her head in triumph. “The winnah!”
Trixie grabbed a suitcase and started rapidly cramming in clothes. “Besides, my packing will be done in a jiffy.”
She sat on the lid and snapped the latches shut. “See, I’m already done! What’s taking you slowpokes so long?”
Diana grimaced at Honey. “Disgusting isn’t she?”
“Completely.”
Ryma shook her head in wonder. “You’d think I’d be used to this after spending a year with you three. And to think I vouched for you to be camp counselors. Camp Scherman will never be the same.”
Diana smirked at her. “Hey, haven’t we told you? Anywhere Trixie goes is never dull.”
The three Bob-White girls spent the week at home trying to relax before the trip to California. All the Bob-Whites wanted to spend as much time together, particularly with their boyfriends, before they would have to split up and go their separate ways for the summer.
Feeling guilty about leaving their parents during the summer months, the Beldens pitched in with as many chores as they could fit in at Crabapple Farm. The rest of the club came down to help out too. Fortunately, Bobby was old enough to pick up some of the slack. The Lynch boys, who had inherited the Bob-White desire to earn their keep, offered to come down during vacation and help out.
Thursday, the three girls organized a shopping trip to Crimper's and the Sleepyside Mall to purchase camping supplies.
"I sure am glad we're going shopping together," said Diana as they walked into the department store. "Otherwise I know I'll forget something from the list."
"I know," moaned Trixie, waving a well-wrinkled sheet of paper. "Who knew we'd need all this stuff?"
Always practical, Honey steered them to the junior section of the store. "Well, come on, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be finished. I know you, Trixie, and how much you love shopping."
Trixie snorted. "You got that right. At least I'll be shopping for something useful and not some frou-frou outfit that I won't enjoy wearing." She paused briefly to consult the list. "Let's see, the first thing we need is several pairs of navy blue shorts." She tapped the paper to her mouth. "Several pairs... That certainly clarifies things. What do ya think? Two, three, how many?"
"Well, since we have to wear these with our staff shirts, and Ryma told us that we'll be wearing our shirts at least two or three times every two weeks, I think we'd be safe getting four pairs," said Diana. "That way we'll have a spare pair if we don't have time to do laundry."
The girls continued through the stores looking for those items they didn't already have and methodically checked them off.
Sitting in the tearoom after a couple of hours, they compared notes and lists.
"Let's see, towels and bedding we already have from staying in the dorm. Sleeping bags we have at the clubhouse." Trixie looked up from her piece of paper. "Don't you think we should pick up new flashlights? The ones we have are kind of old."
"You're right," said Honey. "We should see if we can get the ones that come packaged with batteries."
"And other than t-shirts, pants, shorts, socks, shoes, sweatshirts, swimsuit and a jacket, which we can get from home, we still need rain gear, a hat, and a plate, cup, and utensils." Diana looked around at the surrounding stores. "Didn't a scout shop open up recently? We should be able to get all of that there."
The scout shop was a veritable candy shop of camping goods. The girls were able to purchase aluminum mess kits, flashlights, plastic water bottles, and rain ponchos. They were even able to find cute sun hats in a variety of colors as well as compact first aid kits.
"Jim will certainly be proud of us for remembering the first aid kits," said Honey. "I remember how important those kits turned out to be up at Mead's Mountain."
Diana's eyes turned misty as she recalled how close they had come to losing Mart in the avalanche. "I know I don't feel comfortable going anywhere without a first aid kit handy. I even keep one in my car and a little one in my backpack at school."
"So do I," said Honey. "I guess listening to Jim and Brian all these years has really rubbed off on us." Putting down her soda, Honey glanced at her list. Grabbing her pen, she placed checkmarks next to the recent purchases and heaved a big sigh. "And I think that completes our shopping expedition. Or did I miss anything?"
The other two girls finished checking off their lists as well.
"I think we've nailed it," said Trixie. "Shall we hit the road and start the packing?"
"You aren't going to pack like you did back at the dormitory?" asked Diana with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Trixie regally thrust her nose in the air. "No. I'll have you know I can pack neatly when I have to," she harrumphed. "Besides," she said, lowering her head, "my trunk is getting shipped all the way across the United States. I want all my stuff to get there in decent condition. It's not like I'll be able to just jaunt home real quick on the weekend and pick up some spare clothes."
The three girls paused and looked seriously at each other for a moment. Honey was the first to break the silence.
"Is anyone else as scared as I am? I mean, gosh, I know we've all traveled and been away from home before, but this... this is going to be all summer." She nervously twisted her napkin while saying the last few words.
Trixie reached out and grasped Honey's hands. "I'm scared too, Hon. I've never been away from home more than a couple of weeks at a time. Well, I've been away at school, but that doesn't count because I could come home any weekend I wanted to. I think what's scary about this is that we can't just hop in the car and drive home whenever we want to see our family or the boys."
Diana reached out to hold their hands too. "I've been having a hard time getting to sleep the last couple of nights because I keep thinking that this is the last time I'll be able to see the twinnies and Daddy and Mummy until the end of August."
They sat and held hands for several moments, gathering strength from each other. Trixie finally pulled her hands away and grabbed her soda for a quick drink before putting it down again firmly.
"Listen to us. We'll be fine! At least we'll have each other while we're away from home. Right?"
"Right!" echoed Honey and Diana.
"All right then. Let's put away the glooms and get this show on the road!" Trixie stood up and grabbed her purse and her bags. Honey and Diana quickly followed suit. As she started walking out of the tearoom, Trixie looked at her friends. "Should we do start our packing this afternoon?"
"I think that'd probably be a good idea," said Diana. "Otherwise we'll be running around like chickens with our heads cut off tomorrow."
"Oh!" Honey exclaimed. "I have a perfectly perfect idea. Why don't we have a slumber party, just us girls, at my house? We'll bring our trunks and all our stuff and pack together."
"That sounds like fun," agreed Diana, clapping her hands together excitedly. "Besides, Mart already told me that he and Dan won't be getting back until late tonight because of their jobs. So, at least we won't have to worry about getting distracted while we're packing."
"And we won't have to worry about making sure we're not forgetting anything," said Trixie. "Even though we've checked off everything on the list, I'm still worried I'll forget to pack something."
The girls opened the Bob-White station wagon and put all their purchases in the back.
"So let's stop off at Diana's first and get her stuff and then go to the Farm to get Trixie's," said Honey as she got behind the wheel of the car.
"It's a good thing we've got the wagon," said Trixie. "That's a lot of stuff we'll be hauling around."
"Good thing we have lots of brawny guys around to help us carry it," said Diana. She paused and thought for a moment. "Of course, when we get to California we'll have to handle our gear all by ourselves."
They pulled in to the driveway of the Lynch Estate and quickly dashed into the house. As they made their way to Diana's room, Diana asked Harrison to put her trunk in the wagon. Entering her bedroom, Honey and Trixie were amazed to see neat stacks of clothing, bedding, and toiletries. Diana grinned sheepishly at them.
"What can I say? I told you I was worried about not forgetting anything. I've been laying things out since we got home from school."
"Um, Diana, I hate to tell you this, but I don't think you're going to fit all of this and what we bought today in your suitcases or your trunk." Trixie looked again at the piles. "In fact, unless you cut down on the number of clothes, you'll be lucky to fit everything in two trunks. And we're going to need to make the weight limit on the plane."
"I know, I know. But honestly, I cut way back already on what I wanted to take." Diana looked nervously at her belongings. "What else can I get rid of?" she asked plaintively.
"Honey, you've lived at summer camp before. Help!" Trixie grabbed Honey's arm and pulled her forward. "You know I won't be able to help with this."
Laughing, Honey walked over to the stacks of clothing. "You have to remember that when I was at camp, I had to wear a uniform everyday. You know, like Hailey Mills in the Parent Trap movie. But," she sifted through the stack of shorts, "I don't think you need twenty pairs of shorts. Remember, Ryma did tell us that we can do laundry in camp. Plus, every few weeks we'll have time off from camp when we can do laundry." Gently lifting away several pairs of shorts, Honey did the same for the shirts and pants. "See, if we cut each of these in half, I think you'll be able to manage."
"Especially if you put most of your clothes in a suitcase," added Trixie. "Ryma said we could bring at least one large and one small suitcase as well as a carry on bag. Why don't we just put the rest in your suitcases right now and then all we'll have to do is pack your trunk at Honey's." She grabbed a stack of clothes and threateningly held them up while wiggling her eyebrows. "Here, let me help!"
"Wait, you brat! I haven't even pulled out a suitcase yet." With a giggle, Diana grabbed at Trixie's hands. "Put my stuff down." Seeing the evil glint in Trixie's eyes, she added, "And neatly too."
"Spoilsport."
The three of them, working together, made quick work of filling Diana's suitcases. Dusting her hands and placing them on her hips, Honey surveyed the remaining piles of toiletries and sundries. "I guess the rest of this will have to go in your trunk. Let's carry this down to the car and then head on over to the Farm."
Arriving at Crabapple Farm, they walked into the disaster zone known as Trixie's bedroom. Even though she had been home for just a few days, her room looked as though her suitcases had exploded clothes. Shirts and pants trailed from drawers not completely closed. The closet door wasn't completely closed, exposing hangers crammed in haphazardly. Piles of laundry dotted the floor, obscuring what little walking space was available. Out of place in the chaos were two suitcases sitting open, partially filled with neat piles of clothing.
Honey and Diana stood in shock, momentarily struck mute by the scene.
Honey whirled to face her friend. "Trixie Belden! What happened to your room? I've never seen it look this bad."
Trixie grinned sheepishly. "Well, we've been so busy this week that housekeeping just wasn't high on my list of priorities."
Diana gave an inelegant snort. "High? I don't even think it made the list. So, where's your trunk Belden? Packing your suitcase is going to have to be a solo job. Friendship only goes so far pal."
Trixie strode to the middle of her room and threw aside a large pile of clothes to reveal her trunk, sales tag still attached. "And after we helped you pack. Fine, Lynch, I'll remember that when it comes time to pack at the end of the summer." The twinkle in her eyes belied her fierce tone.
Exchanging rueful glances, Honey and Diana both shrugged. "I'll tackle the closet..." said Honey.
"And I'll take the dresser," finished Diana with a huge sigh. "But I hope the inside of your dresser is neater than the outside."
Finally, with the combined efforts of the three girls, the bedroom was gradually straightened out and suitcases filled. Trixie carefully folded her swimsuit and laid it on top with a flourish. "The last item!" she declared grandly.
"You definitely owe us for that," grumbled Diana as she plopped on Trixie's bed. Wiping her forehead exaggeratedly, she peered under her bangs at Honey. "I do hope, Ms. Wheeler that your packing will not be as difficult."
"Oh, it won't," Honey reassured her. "I may not be quite as organized as you, but we won't have to dig to China to find my clothes!"
Trixie graced her two friends with a sheepish grin. "Aw, come on, it wasn't that bad. And I even had some of the packing done. Besides, we're on such a roll now that packing up Honey's stuff will seem like a breeze."
Grabbing both girls by their hands, Trixie pulled them into a fierce hug. "Thanks, really, for helping me pack. You two are the best!"
Letting them go before they could say a word, Trixie darted over to the corner of her room and grabbed a shopping bag bulging at the sides. "Here's the stuff I'm putting in the trunk." Lifting the lid, she carelessly dropped the bag inside and dropped the lid again and snapped the latches shut. Dusting her hands off, she looked up with an impish grin. "I'm ready."
Chuckling, Diana and Honey grabbed a handle at each end of the trunk and hauled it down to the wagon. Shoving it into the back, Honey closed the door and called out, "All aboard ladies, last stop - Manor House!"
After finally hauling trunks and the day's purchases to Honey's bedroom, the girls collapsed, momentarily exhausted, on Honey's bed. Typically, Trixie was the first to move.
Sitting up, she glanced at their trunks and sighed. "You realize we still need to get the sleeping bags up from the clubhouse."
Diana sat up next to her and groaned. "I know. And we need them first so we can see how much room they'll take up in the trunks."
Honey joined them as they sat and stared at the trunks. "The good news is that once we get the bags we don't have to move from this spot. I'll just have supper brought up to the room so that way we can get the slumber party started."
None of them moved. They all sat and continued to stare at the trunks, until Di started to giggle. Then Trixie joined her until finally all three were giggling uncontrollably.
"Oh gosh," gasped Honey. "We really are lazy aren't we? Come on you slugs, let's get going."
After struggling off the comfortable bed, the girls managed to gather enough energy to hike down to the clubhouse. Trixie unlocked the door and stood inside the doorway looking lovingly at the interior.
"I think I'm going to miss this the most of all this summer. Just think of how much fun we've had in here over the years."
Honey and Diana followed her in and stood for a moment in silent agreement.
"Well, I hate to say this," said Honey, "but unless we plan on bunking down here all night, we should grab our bags and head back up to the house."
Diana shuddered a little. "You're right. I'm not planning on practicing my camping skills just yet."
"Not around the boys we're not," declared Trixie. "I just know that if they caught us camping out, they'd do something to scare us. Let's head back to Honey's nice comfy bedroom and enjoy one of our last nights of freedom. Remember, in a few short days, we'll look back on this night and wish we could do it all over again!"
Laughing, the girls headed back to the house for a night of packing and giggling.
By Friday everyone was ready for a break. Mr. and Mrs. Belden invited everyone in the neighborhood for an old-fashioned barbecue. The Wheelers were the first to arrive. Cook had created an enormous Tiramisu dessert for their contribution, which Honey carefully carried into the backyard. Mart looked up from the picnic table and spotted the confection. Without conscious thought, his feet carried him away from the table and toward Honey. She started backing away before his grasping hands could grab the dessert.
"Down boy, shoo! Step away from the dessert."
Looking for all the world like a little boy with his hand in a cookie jar, Mart scuffed the ground with his foot. "Aw shucks, Honey, I just wanted to see what the dessert is. Cook makes the best desserts." Mart smacked his lips appreciatively.
"You'll get a close-up look at this when everyone else does. I guarantee there'll be enough for everyone."
At that moment Jim walked into the backyard wearing a huge grin and carrying an identical plate. "That's because Cook knows about your predilection for all things dessert and made two."
Trixie came walking out of the house with Mrs. Belden in time to hear the exchange. "Gleeps, Mart, your vocabulary must be catching. Now Jim is starting to talk like you."
"Enjoy it while you can, sis. In one more day you'll be left lexicologically destitute. If Master James here wishes to assist me in my endeavors, who am I to say nay?"
Shaking her head in silent laughter, Mrs. Belden walked up to Honey and Jim. "The dessert looks lovely. Just go ahead and put it on the end of the table by the other desserts. And Mart, leave the desserts alone."
"But..." Mouth agape, Mart spluttered momentarily and tried to look innocent. "Misunderstood again."
By the time the Lynches arrived, two folding tables were heavily laden with picnic food. Potato chips, coleslaw, deviled eggs, and macaroni salad were soon joined by pea and ham salad, Watergate salad, and fresh baked garlic bread brought by the Lynches. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler contributed a mouthwatering watermelon and a mango with lime fruit dish and a lemony potato avocado salad.
Bobby, Larry and Terry were put to work husking freshly picked corn so it could be boiled in the huge pot waiting in the kitchen. Mrs. Belden put the twin girls, Ella and Emma, to work shredding lettuce and slicing tomatoes and onions. The older girls formed an assembly line to mix the hamburger ingredients and shape them into patties.
"Remember the first time I brought the boys over for hamburgers?" asked Diana. "They've been spoiled ever since. Our cook finally had to ask for the recipe because they created such a fuss whenever we tried to enjoy hamburger night."
Mr. Belden and Mr. Wheeler popped into the kitchen.
"You know, I can't remember the last time I had ribs," said Matt.
"I think you'll really enjoy these," replied Peter. "They've been marinating in my secret sauce overnight, so the flavor really has a chance to soak in. By the time they come off the grill, the meat will practically fall off the bone."
"Now that's what I call country living. You can't find food like this in a restaurant. At least not the ones I'm expected to frequent when I'm in the city."
Peter handed a large bowl of rib marinade and the brush to Matt and grabbed the large tray of baby-back ribs. "We're going to get the ribs started on the first grill, dear. I'll wait till a little later before we start up the other grill for the hamburgers."
"That sounds about right," replied Helen. "Don't forget the aprons though. I don't think Matt will want to get splattered when the ribs start dripping and spitting."
With a grin Peter opened the kitchen closet and pulled out his favorite grilling aprons. One was emblazoned- What's cookin, good lookin? He handed it to Matt.
"I have to wear this?"
"It's either that or wear this one." Peter held up the other apron which proclaimed- Hot and Juicy!
"I think I'll wear the first one," Matt replied weakly.
Mr. Maypenny and Dan were the last to arrive. "Sorry it took so long for us to get here folks. Daniel and I needed to set a few more traps around my garden. The rabbits have been getting into my vegetables again. Anyway, I brought some of my home-style baked beans."
"Ooh, yummy yum!" Trixie rushed to grab the dish and take it to the table. She gave Mr. Maypenny a quick one-armed hug first. "I love your baked beans almost as much as I love your hunter's stew."
Dan carefully carried a large jug of homemade lemonade with mint, beads of condensation glistening in the afternoon sunlight. Placing it on the end of the table, he made a show of stretching his back.
"You all better appreciate the lemonade. I've been grating and squeezing lemons and preparing the mint syrup all morning."
Diana paused to sample the concoction. "Ooh, this tastes divine! What's in it?"
"Oranges, lemons, and mint leaves. Fresh mint leaves. How do I know they're fresh? I was out at the crack of dawn picking them. And then I had to make the mint syrup and steep the juice. Sheesh, who knew it took that much work to make lemonade?"
Mr. Maypenny stood by the other adults; a slight twitch of the lips betrayed his amusement. It was there only a moment and then gone. Had Trixie not been looking directly at him, she wouldn't have even seen it.
By the end of the evening, not one scrap of food could be found. Everyone was reluctant to call an end to the day. Finally, the knowledge that the girls' flight would be leaving from JFK at 7:00 am with a 6:00 am check-in, plus over an hour of drive time to get to the airport caused the parents to start looking at their watches.
Mr. Wheeler cleared his throat and gathered his family up with his eyes. "It's going to be an early morning tomorrow, Honey. I think it's about time we headed for home."
Looking sadly at the group in the Belden's back yard, Honey nodded her head. "As much as I hate to agree, tomorrow's going to get here all too soon."
"I know," said Trixie. "Gleeps! I have my alarm set for 4:00 am!"
Mart pretended to shudder in mock dismay. "Oh, the horrors! How will our fair damsel survive the ravages of such an early arising? Methinks yon establishment of transportation will be fraught with startled travelers after having been graced with the oracular spectacle of the early arisen Beatrix."
Trixie looked calmly at her almost twin, recognizing his attempt to keep the emotions of the leave-taking on a light level. "Never fear, I'm sure my fellow travelers would rather see me early in the morning compared to you. I've seen you at four in the morning, and it's not a pretty sight."
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