The next morning was bright and sunny with a soft breeze, precluding a perfect day for a ride in the country. Speed pulled the Mach 5 out of the driveway of his house and headed for the practice track, singing one of his favorite pop songs of the day, the Temptations "My Girl" along with the eight-track tape deck he had installed in the race car. A bouquet of freshly cut white roses from his mother's garden lay on the passenger seat beside him. He had asked Mom Racer if he could cut some of her favorite roses to take over to give to Trixie, telling his mother all about the meeting with her. Mom agreed, advising her middle son to be careful, knowing his past relationships and their outcome with the negative press they had generated. She loved her son deeply but she was also concerned with the publicity her family received and didn't want him to do anything further to add any grist to the gossip mongers' overflowing mills. Speed assured his mother that he would be careful as he drove off. He made his way to the practice track in no time and like any normal music loving teen, he had the volume cranked up as he drove up to the open garage area.
Amused, Sparky chuckled at his friend as Speed shifted the car into park and finished singing along with the last chorus of the song before shutting down the engine. "Hey pal, what did you do with the money your folks gave you for singing lessons?"
"Very funny, Spark. You'd better not quit your day job to be a comedian either, man. You'd starve on Skid Row," Speed countered as he leapt over the side of the Mach 5.
"So what has you so chipper today? When you came back yesterday, I thought you wanted to take my head off, man. And you drove like a bat out of hell."
Speed lowered his head sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that, Spark. But I was talking to Trixie about her folks and you just interrupted. It made me PO'd."
"Yeah, but your time on the track improved so I forgive you." Sparky said evenly. "So her name's Trixie, huh? What else did you find out about her?"
"She's all alone. Her dad passed away last month and her mom died when she was little." Speed recounted his concern plain in his voice. He walked over to the end leading to the track and glanced at the fence in the distance and the hangar with its door closed.
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, she's a pilot. She flies the chopper she was working on yesterday and a small plane. She's a mechanic too," Speed informed him with the ardently admiring tone of one totally smitten.
Sparky nodded then reached into the passenger seat of the Mach 5 and picked up the roses. "Aw, Speed you shouldn't have. I didn't know you cared."
Speed snatched the bouquet away from his smirking mechanic. "You're a regular riot, man. If you must know, these are for Trixie. I'm taking her out later." He placed the bouquet carefully back on the passenger seat of the Mach 5.
Sparky postured with his hand over his ear and intoned in perfect sports announcer style, "And once again, folks, the great Speed Racer has fallen prey to Cupid's arrow."
Speed whirled around and pinned his mechanic with a glare, "Cut it out, Sparky. I've only talked to the girl twice."
"Twice?"
"Yeah, I called her last night. And I'm gonna see her this afternoon after practice to go for a ride." Deciding to change the subject, he looked about the garage and the surrounding area. "So where's Pops, I thought he'd be here."
"He's busy working on the prototype for a new engine. He said he'd be down to watch your laps as soon as you started."
"Yeah, and when is that gonna be?" a familiar gravelly baritone growled behind them. Pops Racer stood there, arms folded and a poker expression across his heavy visage.
Speed turned his attention to his father. "Uh, Hi, Pops. I was just heading out there."
"Uh-huh. I saw where your mind was yesterday Speed, and I hope that you intend to concentrate better out there today. You were distracted and I'm glad to see that she's nowhere in sight." He glanced at the airfield behind the fence.
"Pops, my times yesterday improved and they'll be even better today so please stop treating me like a kid," Speed snapped, suddenly impatient with all the scrutiny his behavior was receiving. Without any further delay, he hopped into the driver's seat of the Mach 5, started it up and pulled it out to the track to begin his laps.
Sparky turned to Pops, "Take it easy on him, he's only 18."
Pops shook his head and muttered to Sparky, "I know he's only 18 but if he's serious about racing he has to keep his focus. I hope his mind's on his driving today instead of on his johnson." His mind dwelt briefly on his departed oldest son, Rex as he strode out to the track to observe his middle son's progress.
In her cottage near the airfield, Trixie was fresh from her shower and in her bedroom, having just finished drying her chestnut curls and going through her closet trying to decide on what to wear when Speed picked her up later. The window facing the airfield and track was open and she could hear the powerful rumble of the Mach 5 as it flew around the oval, reverberating through the walls. Trixie smiled as she pictured Speed behind the wheel, a determinedly intense look on his handsome face as he gunned the vehicle about the track. He had no idea that she had surreptitiously watched him practice several times since she and her father had moved to the airfield when she wasn't at National Hospital, busy with her father's treatments. She also had read every piece written about him in the local and national papers while keeping vigil over her father's hospital bed and knew all about his many liaisons with his female fan base he had had in scandal sheets and local columns. But, she found most of what the gossip columns said to be the direct opposite of the way he appeared to her in their meeting and during their phone conversation, sweet, modest, and an all around nice guy.
Trixie continued filing through her closet taking out hanger after hanger to make a selection then for one reason or another discarding it. The ringing of her phone interrupted her task and she wondered who it could be since the sound of the Mach 5 going still through its paces around the track assured her that it wasn't Speed. She reached over to her nightstand and answered it while still leafing through her closet.
"Hello?"
"May I speak to Trixie Shimura?" an older male voice asked.
"Speaking."
"Miss Shimura, My name's Wiley and I understand you and your father run an air charter business. Is that true?"
"It was, sir. My father has recently passed away."
"Oh, I'm sorry. But I understand that you are quite an accomplished pilot in your own right."
"That's true. But Mr. Wiley, I haven't decided yet what I want to do with the business. My father's passing has put all plans on hold for the time being at least."
"Well, Miss Shimura, I would like to discuss a business proposition for you. Can we meet somewhere today to discuss it?" Wiley asked.
"I'm afraid that's not possible. I have plans for the day." Trixie smiled, her mind on Speed.
"Well, how about tomorrow or the next day?" the man persisted.
Trixie sighed, "Mr. Wiley, with all due respect, I'd rather just take some more time to decide exactly what I want to do about the business."
"I understand, Miss Shimura but you will need a form of income and this proposition can turn out to be quite lucrative for you. I'm sure that your father's medical bills will be difficult to pay without income." the man reasoned.
Trixie was surprised and uneasy as she took note of the enigmatic man's grasp of her personal family situation. How did he know that she had large medical bills to pay? She sighed again as she spied the clock on the wall. "Mr. Wiley, I'm running late for my engagement. Could we discuss this at a later time?" she requested as she finally chose her outfit, a silky peach colored tank top with cinnamon petalpusher pants and matching ballet slippers.
"Very well, Miss Shimura. I'll phone back in a few days. But please think about what I've said, it could be a very good solution for you now that your father's gone. Good day." Wiley hung up abruptly and Trixie again felt a shiver of unease as his somewhat pushy attitude troubled her. Hanging the phone up she shrugged it off and proceeded to dress and put on her makeup.
It was just about one fifteen when the Mach 5 pulled up to the garage area at the Pops Motors practice track, both Sparky and Pops following the vehicle as it rolled to the motor stall. Speed cut the engine and extricated himself from the cockpit pulling his helmet off, as Sparky and his father came up to the driver's side of the car.
"That was terrific, son. Your times are getting better each lap," Pops said, patting Speed on the shoulder heartily.
"I told you they would, Pops. You should have more faith in me," Speed said in a coaxing tone.
"I do have faith in you, Speed. I just want to make sure that you are focused and serious. Remember your brother cracked up because of his lack of experience and focus. I just want to make sure you don't make the same mistakes," Pops entreated to his middle child. "I lost him, I don't want to lose you, too."
Speed put a reassuring hand on his father's shoulder. "You won't lose me, Pops," he said softly. "I promise I'll make you proud of me."
"I am proud of you, Speed," Pops said gruffly, his voice filled with emotion. He clapped his hand on his son's shoulder. He turned away briskly, wiping his eyes and spotted the bouquet of white roses sitting on the seat of the Mach 5. "What's with the flowers?" he asked curiously.
"Oh those?" Speed said trying to be casual. "They're from Mom's garden."
"I know that. Why would you have a bunch of roses with you?" Pops wanted to know regarding his son suspiciously.
Speed stammered nervously, "I-ah-- I have a date, Pops." He consulted his watch. "And I'll be late if I don't take off soon." He made to head for the restroom to freshen up but Pops laid a hand on him to detain him.
"Speed, when it comes to girls, you need to take it easy. You're under a microscope now, and you have to be careful with the girls you see. Some of them are quite willing to tell the press anything once you're involved with them and especially after you ditch them."
Speed cringed at his father's choice of words. "I know, Pops but Trixie's different, I know she is."
"Trixie, huh? Was that the cute little number working on the chopper next door yesterday?"
"Yeah. She lives over there off the airfield. Her dad and her are pilots and moved to town four months ago. Her dad just died about month ago." Speed replied, getting anxious as he looked at his watch again.
Pops felt a twinge of sympathy for the girl but still his protective nature for his offspring took precedence. He knew when his son had a thing for a girl and was determined, that he wouldn't be swayed so he sighed, giving up. "Okay, Speed, okay. But remember what I said."
"I will, Pops."
Pops let go of his son and watched as Speed rushed into the restroom. He sighed again as he strode over to Sparky.
"I hope that he'll watch out for himself. He tends to wear his heart on his sleeve and he could be an easy mark for the scheming females out there."
Sparky opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it as Speed emerged from the restroom, hastily brushing his inky hair back as he made tracks to the waiting Mach 5.
He waved at the two, "See ya later." He revved up the motor, backed up and peeled off, the sound of the Temptations fading as he pulled away. Pops and Sparky watched as the Mach 5 disappeared down the road.
Pops shook his head. "Come on Sparky, let's head up to the office so I can show you the plans for the new engine I'm working on." He turned and strode toward the factory with Sparky in tow.
Trixie had been putting the finishing touches on her lipstick when the unmistakable sound of a powerful engine roared up her driveway. The engine quieted and the last strains of "My Girl" drifted to Trixie's ears. She grinned, Wow, Speed's a devoted fan of Motown just like me!
Her doorbell rang and she scooted out to answer it, checking her appearance one last time in the mirror hanging on the wall by the door. She opened the door and greeted Speed warmly.
"Hi, Speed."
Speed grinned as he took in the pretty picture she made, fresh and grease- free. "Hi Trixie." He brought out his hand and the roses from his mother's garden. "These are for you."
Trixie gasped in delight. "Oh Speed, they're beautiful, thank you," she said softly, impulsively kissing him on the cheek. Startled by the gesture, they both averted their eyes, blushing.
"Uh, I'd better go and put these in water. Excuse me for a minute," Trixie said shyly as she headed into her kitchen.
Speed sighed, savoring the memory of her kiss as he lightly rubbed his cheek imagining that the butterfly touch of her lips was still there. No doubt about it, this girl was making his heart do flip-flops and they hadn't even begun their first date yet. He found himself getting more excited about the upcoming afternoon with her.
Trixie returned with the ivory blooms nestled in a deep blue vase. She placed the vase on an end table near the window by the door. Speed was leaning against the doorjamb watching her, his cobalt eyes twinkling.
She smiled at him sweetly. "Thanks again."
"Don't mention it, I got 'em from my mother's garden. They're her favorites," Speed said. He took her elbow and asked, "Shall we go? It's a groovy day for a ride in the country."
Trixie nodded with a smile and he opened the door for her and followed her out. Still lightly holding her elbow, he guided her to the passenger door of the Mach 5 and opening it, assisted her in. Trixie slipped into the low bucket seat set back so when she got in, it was like she was reclining. She noted that the armrest was securely in the upright position, making her conscious of the closeness of her seat to Speed's as he made his way around the front of his car to get in.
Speed opened his door and climbed in behind the wheel. He observed her reaction to being in the Mach 5 for the first time and was secretly pleased, knowing he had impressed her.
"So what do you think of her?" he asked, his eyes wide and expectant.
"Wow!" Trixie exclaimed. She glanced about the car in awe, before today she had never actually been in a race car. She was totally bowled over and as a technician she examined the dashboard, speedometer, odometer, stick shift, and the myriad of other gadgets that she'd never seen in any plane let alone any car before. "I'm very impressed."
"That's nothing," Speed said proudly. "Take a look at this." He pointed to the steering wheel. The steering wheel really caught her eye as it was festooned with a cluster of push buttons, each with its own function.
Speed explained each button to Trixie starting from the top and going clockwise. "Control A operates the Auto Jacks. Pops put them in to help Sparky-he's my buddy and mechanic-to make repairs or adjustments. Control B equips the car with special grip tires and increases horsepower with auxiliary motors for each wheel. Control C activates rotary saws to cut down any rough brush that might get in the way if I drive on rough terrain. Control D closes up the cockpit here and protects me during races. It's also for when I turn on my air conditioner. Control E is for extra bright lights-brighter than fog lights for driving in dark or special conditions. Control F supplies the cockpit with oxygen if I drive underwater."
"Underwater?" Trixie interrupted incredulously, her sea green eyes wide with wonder. "You mean you can actually drive underwater in this car?"
"Uh-huh. It also activates a periscope to see when I'm underwater on this screen." Speed pointed to the back of the divider of the two seats and showed her a slot where a flat screen of about five inches was stored. And last but not least, Control G releases the homing robot."
"Homing robot?"
"Yeah, Pops installed it so I can send information back and forth to him. Here are the control buttons." Speed pointed to two switches on the console and then he pushed the G button down. A door on the car's hood slid open and what appeared to be a mechanical bird flew out and landed on his lap. He held it up so Trixie could get a better look.
"I repeat, wow!" Trixie said, completely blown away. She handed the robot back and Speed tossed it up so it headed back to its compartment under the hood.
Speed grinned at her. "Well, now that you've got the grand tour, what do you say we blast off? I know some great roads around here for a nice ride."
Trixie returned his grin. "I'm ready when you are."
Speed turned the key and the 12 cylinder power plant roared to life. He shifted to reverse and grabbed the back of her seat to look as he backed the car down the driveway, inadvertently brushing her bare shoulder with his thumb. The touch was electric because as he met her gaze his eyes twinkled and when he brought his hand back to the wheel to drive away, he let his hand brush her shoulder again. Trixie shyly turned from his steady warm gaze as they began their drive.
Speed pushed a tape in the tape deck. "How about some music?" The sounds of the Temptations floated out of the speakers with "Ain't Too Proud to Beg."
"I love Motown," Trixie said enthusiastically as she snapped her fingers to the music.
"Now ya see, I knew there was something else I liked about you," Speed responded.
Trixie giggled.
Speed drove all around the town, then took Trixie to some really twisting roads around Craggy Peak Mountain, a scenic but treacherous place that had rugged palisades of rock that came right to the edge of the road. There were signs warning of falling rocks every quarter of a mile, and as Speed expertly maneuvered the Mach 5 around the sharp curves Trixie asked him about his burgeoning career.
"So how'd you decide to be a racing driver?" she inquired.
Speed took a deep breath. "I guess it's in the blood. You see, my older brother Rex was a racer and he crashed so Pops-my father-forbid him to race again, saying he didn't have the experience. So Rex and Pops had a huge blowout that ended up with Rex splitting. I was about 11 when it happened. Since then, we've never heard from him at all." Speed sighed heavily, the sadness of remembering the past situation casting a cloud on what was turning out to be an enjoyable outing with a girl he was fired up to be with.
Trixie noticed the shadow in his eyes and placed her hand on his arm to comfort him. "You guys were really close, huh?"
"Yeah, I really looked up to him. He was a hero to me and he never thought I was a drag when I was a little kid, following him everywhere," Speed replied, basking in the warmth of the sun and her attention as he continued to drive the mountain road.
"So you learned to be a racer."
"Uh-huh. Fireball Rust, the great racer, saw me when I raced go-carts. He was so impressed he took me as his student right after I got my license two years ago. He still helps me with my driving 'cause I haven't really been in any races yet. I mean I've been in a few road rallies and some local dirt track races, I've done that since I was 12, behind Pops' back, but Fireball convinced him I had a natural talent so he's letting me get into some races before the Grand Prix," Speed explained. "But all this racing talk must be boring you."
Trixie shook her head vehemently, setting her chestnut curls to dance about her lovely face. "Oh no, Speed, not at all. I love cars and I fly planes, remember?"
Speed smiled slowly. "I remember. So, now it's your turn, you tell me, how'd a pretty little thing like you get interested in flying?"
Trixie replied, "My dad mostly. I used to go up with him when he had a charter flight and he'd let me sit beside him as he showed me how the instruments and controls worked. And I paid attention. On the weekends, when I didn't have school, he'd take me either in the plane or the helicopter. So when I got old enough, I took lessons and got my hours to get my license."
"And you learned how to fix the motors on 'em?"
"Uh-huh. I loved to tinker with motors and things since I was little and used to watch my dad fix the planes." Trixie continued telling him about her interest in engines and anything mechanical.
As she went on, Speed smiled engagingly at her while he felt the excitement level in his being skyrocket. Well it happened, I finally found her. The perfect girl for me Speed mused to himself as he listened intently. He felt his heart pound with anticipation as he griped his wheel.
The tape began playing "My Girl" again and Speed gazed at Trixie while he automatically chimed in to sing along:
Trixie grinned and she joined in. During the instrumental bridge, Speed reached over and took hold of Trixie's left hand and squeezed it, his joy plain. She returned the gesture, his mood infectious as they resumed singing along.
They finished the song in effervescent unison, giggling like children in unadulterated mirth. As they drove along, they were momentarily silent and each was wrapped up in their own individual thoughts. Trixie was filled with a sense of wonder at how very easy it was to be with a famous racer. He was so down-to-earth and fun to be with. And Speed was amazed that he could actually be with a girl and not have to put up a front or be something he wasn't. Unlike other girls, he found it refreshing that by talking to her that she didn't expect anything special from him, he was just able to relax and be himself.
As the sun made its way toward the western horizon, Speed drove back into town and they pulled into a snack shop located on the outskirts called THE Place. He killed the motor and turned to Trixie.
"You hungry, Trix? It's close to dinnertime."
She nodded, "Yeah, that ride and our singing gave me an appetite."
"Let's go then. This place serves the best cheeseburgers in town." He exited his side and crossing in front of the hood of the Mach 5, opened her door and offered his hand to help her out. Still holding her hand, he opened the door for her and followed her in.
The place was paneled in walnut, lit by pink fluorescent lights and had several booths around the perimeter of the room so the main floor could be used for dancing. A classic Wurlitzer jukebox was located adjacent to the dance floor and there was at the present, a Beach Boys song it was playing. Speed guided Trixie to a far corner booth across from the jukebox that was somewhat private although the shop was not crowded. They both slid in as a waiter brought menus. Trixie scanned the interior, finding the shop to be cozy and understated, not at all what she would expect a celebrity like Speed Racer to claim as his favorite hangout.
Noticing her glancing about Speed said to her. "I hope this is okay."
"It's fine, Speed, really," she reassured him. She studied the menu, not knowing what she wanted, only that now that they were together in public, she wanted to impress him with a ladylike demeanor.
Speed gently took the menu from her. "If it's okay with you, I'll order for both of us. I know the best thing to get, I come here all the time." He called the waiter over and ordered two cheeseburger platters and two Cokes. After handing the menus back to the waiter he realized that he might have been a bit presumptuous. "Gee, I'm sorry, Trixie. Maybe you wanted something else?"
Trixie shook her head slowly. "Oh no, Speed. I'm glad you did, I couldn't decide what I wanted anyway and I like cheeseburgers and Coke."
Speed grinned and took her hand again. Gazing deeply into her eyes he asked, "Can I ask you a question? And believe me, this isn't a line."
"Sure." She felt her heart begin to pound as she was drawn into the cobalt depths of his eyes.
"I've only known you for less than two days so why is it so easy to be with you, like I've known you all my life?"
Trixie was taken aback by the emotion she felt emanating from him. She stammered nervously, "I-I don't know. I was thinking the same thing. This has never happened to me before."
Speed gazed intently into her eyes. "Me either." He was stroking her hand in both of his.
Subconsciously, Trixie pulled her hand away and averted her eyes. "But you've gone out with so many girls," she pointed out quietly.
Speed groaned inwardly and then cursed the press that had painted a picture of him as such a roue. It had been easy, with his classic good looks and growing reputation as a talented racer, the press had built him up to be a real Casanova, they had themselves a field day. And unfortunately for Speed, hell truly had no fury like a woman scorned for a few of the scorned females had unleashed their fury staying true to the old saw, telling the reporters anything they wanted to know to add to the illusion. Speed was filled with conviction to prove to this beautiful girl in front of him that he was not what the papers and magazine articles said he was. He had opened his mouth to do just that when the door of the shop opened and a general commotion drew both Speed and Trixie's attention to the source.
"You're bananas!"
"I'm tellin' ya that car out there's the Mach 5, ya jerk. I'd know that car anywhere,"
A group of about four teenaged boys, dressed in yellow windbreaker jackets and jeans trouped over to the middle of the dance floor in heated debate. The ringleader turned his head shaking it in disgust when his eyes fell on the young couple in the far booth.
His eyes widened in shocked surprise. "Well, I'll be damned Petey, you were right. Look fellas, it's Speed Racer!" He and his entourage rushed up to the booth where Speed and Trixie sat.
Speed quashed his rising annoyance at having his date with Trixie interrupted and grinned politely at the group as he waved congenially. "Hiya fellas." They all introduced themselves to the pair who had no choice but to acknowledge them graciously.
Wow, I knew that was your car, Speed."
"Holy cow, imagine Speed Racer, here with us!" The somewhat rowdy group gathered around as they began a rapid-fire deluge of questions for the rookie racer.
"Can we have your autograph?"
"So what's it like driving the Mach 5?"
"How fast does it really go?"
"Can we see the motor?"
"Will you take me for a ride?"
"Now hold on a minute will ya fellas?" Speed held his hand up in a placating way. He shrugged apologetically and gestured to Trixie. "Me and my girl just came here to grab a bite, okay? I'll be glad to sign autographs for you all and I'll even show you the Mach 5 but let us eat first. Deal?"
They all agreed excitedly. "It's a deal!" they chorused.
The ringleader, a burly, ruddy boy by the name Buddy got the message and tossed his head in a gesture to the rest of the group. "Sorry about these apes, Speed. I'll get 'um away so's you and your girl can eat in peace." He addressed the youths, "C'mon you guys, let's leave Speed and his chick alone to eat!"
The group dispersed at their leader's gruff command and headed for another booth.
Speed heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I was thinking we'd never have gotten rid of them if Buddy hadn't said something." He took note of Trixie's reticence, as she had been silent through the entire noisy exchange. "You okay, Trix?" he asked gently.
Trixie was studying Speed with a strange light in her eyes. "You called me your girl," she stated bemusedly.
Speed was taken aback by her soft statement. He grinned sheepishly as he admitted, "Yeah, I guess I did." He looked a tad worriedly at her. "Did that offend you? I mean it is only our first date and I kind of jumped the gun a bit."
Trixie lowered her head demurely. "I liked it, Speed," she said softly.
A light entered Speed's eyes as he felt the polite boundaries of new acquaintances come crashing down. He was never one who believed in love at first sight but gazing at Trixie he felt eager and ready to revise his thoughts on the matter. He reached his hands across the table and took her hands in both of his.
The waiter chose that moment to arrive with their order. Reluctantly, Speed let go of Trixie's hands, as their plates were set before them.
"To be continued," he said almost huskily, his eyes glowing like star sapphires and his mind reeling.
She smiled with a light of invitation in her eyes. "Don't worry, I'll remember where we left off," she promised.
They finished their meal and after some obligatory time with the boisterous group of young men, Speed took Trixie over to Lake Icy Chill to watch the sunset and talk. They conversed as the sun gradually dipped below the horizon.
"So tell me all about your family," Trixie said as Speed put in another tape. The sounds of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles filled the air.
"Well, I have two brothers. My kid brother Spritle, who you met and I mentioned before about my older brother Rex who left home when I was 11. I really miss him," Speed said wistfully staring out at the lake.
"Tell me more about him."
Speed smiled reminiscently. "He was the coolest. And I'm not just saying it because he's my brother. He taught me everything about everything, sports, fighting, you name it. When he started racing go-carts, he used to let me watch when he and Pops worked on the car and I learned all about engines and racing from him."
"So Pops was okay with Rex racing?" Trixie wanted to know.
"At first, but then he crashed in the car Pops built for him just as he was about to win his first big race. Pops blew a gasket and told Rex he lacked experience and never wanted him to drive again. Rex got really mad and told Pops he was leaving. He split and we've not seen him since," Speed finished, a downcast expression across his handsome face.
Trixie laid a consoling hand on his arm. "You still really miss him, don't you?"
Speed gazed at her. "Uh-huh. Even more so now that I'm getting ready to drive in my first big race." He smiled sadly and patted her hand. "Now that's enough about me, how about you? Tell me about your family."
"Well, it's not as interesting as yours."
Speed squeezed her hand. "Let me be the judge of that. So go ahead."
"Well, remember I told you that my mother died when I was about 3, almost 4. I can remember before she died vaguely what she was like. She had my hair color and violet eyes."
"She sounds like she was beautiful."
"She was. My father absolutely adored her. They got married right after he came home from the war. Nine months later I came along. But then she started getting weaker and I remember my father having to take her to the hospital all the time 'cause she had a hard time breathing. I even remember them putting her in an iron lung at our house toward the end."
Speed's eyes were soft with sympathy. "You poor kid. That must've been really tough."
Trixie nodded, her eyes clouded. "It was. I even remember the funeral as if it were yesterday. My dad was never the same, sometimes I'd see him hold her picture and cry. Then he'd spot me and paste a smile on his face while he wiped away his tears. He tried so hard to be both mother and father to me, and he was beside himself at times especially when I reached puberty."
"I bet," Speed responded. Having grown up in a family of all boys, he had little exposure to female issues but Pops had explained all he knew about the birds and the bees to him when he reached that pubescent milestone at 13. "So he taught you all about planes and engines."
"Uh-huh. And racing."
Speed was incredulous. "Racing?"
"Yep. Daddy had wanted to race when he was younger but he was drafted. When he came home he married my mother and began his air charter business. He had flown in the war, bombers and helicopters." Trixie replied.
Speed was quiet for a moment as he digested all she had told him. She's really had a hard time of it he told himself. And she's all alone, no family, nobody around. Well, she won't be alone anymore, she's got me now he firmly declared and she'll never be alone again if I have anything to say about it.
"Speed? Are you okay?" Trixie waved her hand before his eyes to get his attention.
He shook his head and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. My mind was somewhere else."
Trixie studied him carefully and she said, "If you say so. But the next time you leave like that, you'd better take your body with you." She giggled at his perplexed expression and then he chuckled as well, lightening the mood.
It was almost midnight when the Mach 5 purred sedately up the driveway near Trixie's cottage on the airfield. The full moon had risen almost to mid sky and the stars glittered in the heavens like miniature diamonds on black velvet. Speed turned off the motor and allowed the soft music of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles play on the tape deck as he turned toward Trixie.
"Trixie, I just wanted to thank you for going out with me. I've never had a better time with a girl," Speed stated ardently, reaching to take her hand. He laced his fingers through hers and then placed his other hand on top, rubbing gently.
Trixie chuckled, "I find that a little hard to believe."
Speed's eyes widened and he declared earnestly. "No really, Trixie, I mean it. You're like no other girl I've ever known. I mean you were such a good sport about those guys at THE Place, letting me show them the car and all after we ate. If it were any other girl I'd have been in the doghouse for sure."
Trixie shrugged delicately. "You have a responsibility to your fans, Speed. It's part of your career. Think nothing of it."
Speed studied her raptly, savoring how she looked in the moonlight. Tentatively, he took his hand and gently brushed a stray curl from her eyes, caressing her cheek and in return, she gazed deeply at him, seeing the reflection of the moon in his shining eyes.
"I'd better get you inside," Speed said softly. "It's getting late." He let go of her hand, opened his door to climb out, made his way to her door, opened it and taking her hand once more, gallantly helped her out.
Unknown to the young couple, they were being closely monitored. A dark sedan, parked approximately five hundred yards away under a copse of trees, which rendered it nearly invisible in spite of the bright moonlight, was standing sentinel. Its driver, also swathed in black, was watching Speed and Trixie's progress through high-powered binoculars. He put them down and picked up a radio microphone, concealed beneath the dashboard. He spoke in a low, guttural growl.
"Slyme Balle to home base. Come in home base."
"This is home base," the radio crackled.
"Boss, she just got home and she ain't alone. You'll never believe who she's got with her."
"It's late, Slyme and I'm in no mood for guessing games."
"Okay Boss, okay. She's with Speed Racer."
Silence. Then the radio came to life. "Are you sure?"
"Yep, they just got out of the Mach 5."
The voice barked over the microphone. "Maintain surveillance on Miss Shimura and report to me in the morning. Out."
The individual known as Slyme Balle replaced the microphone and resumed his task, taking up the binoculars and observing Trixie's cottage intently.
At the cottage, Speed escorted Trixie up the shallow case of stairs to the door and waited as she unlocked it with her keys. She turned to him.
"Speed, thank you for a wonderful day. I had a super time with you in the Mach 5," she said shyly, feeling the same electricity that had existed between them since he handed her wrench to her the other day. The sparks arcing between them were almost visible.
"It was my pleasure. I'll call you tomorrow morning before I come out to the track. Maybe we have lunch or can take in an afternoon movie or something, so good night," he said, reaching to run his fingers gently from her cheek to her chin. Speed turned to leave then hesitated, his eyes wide and boyish, "Ah, Trixie, y-you wouldn't think I was being fresh if I kissed you good night, would you? I mean, I know it's only our first date."
Trixie felt her heart trip hammer in her chest. "No, Speed, I wouldn't."
Speed took her chin in his hand again and drew her lips to his softly, like a butterfly lighting on a rosebud. The soft music from the tape deck in the Mach 5 drifted up and surrounded them, adding to the intensity of the moment. He felt Trixie's lips go soft and pliant and her arms slid slowly up his chest to his broad shoulders as she pressed in closer and the kiss deepened. Speed had to keep himself from pushing for more, but it was oh so hard, the way she fit into his arms it seemed as if she were made for him and only for him. He felt the heat in his body rise as passion washed through him like pounding waves on a seashore. But his respect for her and his own high morals prompted him to gently break away.
"I'm sorry, I guess I just got carried away," he said in a low voice, still husky with emotion.
"It's okay, so did I," she admitted, feeling flushed and turning away so he wouldn't see.
"Then I'd better split before it happens again," Speed said, suddenly feeling very shy. "'Cause if I stick around you any longer trust me, it will. Good night Trix, sweet dreams."
"'Night Speed."
She turned and entered the house and watched him through the screen as he turned and headed down the stairs and to the waiting Mach 5. He jumped into the cockpit, started the engine and backed out to the road. Trixie watched as the white car disappeared like a wraith in the night. She withdrew into the dwelling and closed the door, leaning against the portal, her hand on her lips and a dreamy expression on her face.