Author's Note: Hey guys, I felt so bad about leaving everybody hanging with the way the last chapter ended so my fingers just flew as this chapter came out of my imagination. I also included a bit of nostalgia for my contemporaries as I have Mom and Pops watching Milton Berle which I got from my 25th anniversary TV Guide book and the schedule for Friday nights in '66 had him on 9 PM Eastern Time on ABC. Also the music at the party was circa '65, '66 so this chapter is a blast from the past.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRIXIE
The two men stood face to face, sizing each other up as a vision in sea green chiffon glided in the room. Trixie entered in her party dress that clung to every curve, showing off her exceptional figure and she had her hair in a chic chestnut bob. Her makeup was subtle but striking, creating a picture of absolute perfection, she was gorgeous. Both men were momentarily struck dumb by the petite beauty before them. . .
Snapped out of his stupor, Speed spoke first, "Wow, baby you look incredible. What a groovy dress!"
Trixie awarded him with a smile as she kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, Speed. You're not so bad yourself, handsome."
He grinned at her as he rubbed the back of his neck then Gary stepped forward. "I have to agree with Speed, Trixie, you're dazzling."
Trixie smiled her thanks as she spied the bouquet of white roses on the end table. She strolled over and picked up the ivory blooms and inhaled their sweet perfume. "Mom Racer's white roses, my favorite."
Speed strode over to her and said, "I knew they would be."
"I'll get a vase and put them on the table by Gary's." She went over to the kitchen to put the white roses in a vase and placed them beside a beautiful bouquet of long stemmed American Beauty roses in a delicate cut glass vase shaped like a basket.
Speed glanced at the elaborate arrangement and felt the bile of jealousy rise in him like the incoming tide but he quashed it when he felt the box with the locket in his jacket. Feeling self satisfied and in a sense of sportsmanship he said magnanimously, "That's quite a bouquet of roses, Lightening."
Gary preened like a peacock as he said airily, "Well, I wanted to give Trixie something special for being so sweet to invite me to her party."
Speed wrapped his arm around Trixie and said, "Yeah, that's my girl. She always had a heart for those less fortunate, always taking in strays."
Gary's eyes narrowed slightly at the shot and Trixie saw the signs of a forthcoming battle brewing in the two antagonists so she intervened, "Thank you both for the lovely flowers."
"That's not the only gift I brought, angel. I have another surprise for you," Speed began but the ringing of the doorbell cut him off.
"Hold on, Speed I have to get that." She went to the front door and the impeccably garbed mysterious masked racer known by all as Racer X stepped in, handing Trixie a brightly wrapped present.
"Happy Birthday, Trixie," Racer X said amiably. "Thank you for inviting me."
She smiled as she responded, "My pleasure. You've been such a good friend I wanted you to be here."
He smiled beneath the mask and his rich baritone said, "I'm honored." He then turned to Speed and took his hand to pump it. "Good to see you, Speed."
Speed shook his hand and responded, "Likewise, Racer X."
Trixie then gestured to Lightening as she introduced, "Racer X, this is Gary Lightening. He's racing in the Great Lakes Michigan 500 Road Race and just moved to town."
Racer X offered his hand. "Nice to meet you," he said politely.
Gary smirked as he remarked, "I've heard a lot about you. You've got quite a rep on the track."
Racer X shrugged and responded, "I just do what I can to win races."
"Yeah," Gary said a touch of irony. "Even to the point of pushing others aside to get to the finish line."
Racer X noted the veiled challenge in the remark and responded evenly, "That's why they call it a competition. Behind the wheel it's every man for himself. Besides," he added. "Last I heard, your racing team has that kind of reputation as well, doesn't it? You live in a glass house, my friend, you shouldn't be throwing stones."
Speed secretly applauded Racer X. You tell 'im Racer X.
Gary's lavender eyes narrowed as he parried smoothly, "Yeah, I guess you're right. But as you said, behind the wheel it's every man for himself."
Speed cut in, "But there are rules to follow. Races are more satisfying to win when you do it fair and square."
"I agree," Gary said.
"Do you?" Racer X inquired silkily with a hint of disbelief.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Gary demanded.
Trixie was getting worried by the men's posturing and was about to try to defuse the tension when her door bell rang again, heralding the arrival of more guests. . . .
Later the party was in full swing with couples dancing in the living room as the music from the hi-fi moaned and thumped with sounds that made the air sweet. Trixie was dancing with Speed to James and Bobby Purify's "I'm Your Puppet." She sighed softly, cradled in her boyfriend's strong arms.
Speed smiled at her, as she reminded him of a content kitten. "Having a good time, Trix?"
"Uh-huh," she replied. "It's been a super birthday. How about you, you having a good time?"
"Yeah, okay," he said. "But truthfully, I'd be having a better time if it was just you and me."
Trixie sighed again as she pressed, "Is that why you've been so moody?"
He pulled back to regard her strangely. "I'm not moody," he said defensively.
"Speed, you've been touchy for weeks now," Trixie pointed out. "Seriously, I'm afraid to say anything to you for fear you'll bite my head off."
Speed sighed impatiently, "Look, I'm sorry, I'm just antsy about the race and Pops has been on my case constantly about my times. He just won't let up on me. And he's almost possessed about his new baby."
Trixie nodded with a giggle. "Yeah, he's sure excited. Was he like that when all you boys were born?"
Speed snorted, "I doubt it. After all we're just his sons, the Dragonfire is his creation."
"Dragonfire?"
"Yeah, that's what he's calling the thing. He named it after himself and he's spending every moment trying to make it better."
"I thought it was finished," Trixie said.
"It was," Speed answered. "But IRC said there needs to be some modifications on it to make it compliant with race rules. You know how they are about keeping the playing field level."
She nodded and then gazed into his eyes. "So is that the only reason for you being so uptight?"
The soft sea green orbs captivated Speed. "I admit I haven't been too pleased about Lightening hanging around you so much."
"Are we starting that again? I thought you said you trusted me," Trixie said with a frown.
Speed sighed, "I do trust you, sweetheart. It's him I don't trust and believe me I have my reasons."
Trixie sighed as she beseeched, "Please, Speed I don't want any trouble. It's my birthday, could you just battle him on the track?"
Speed was mildly insulted. "Trixie, I would never cause trouble on your birthday and I'm hurt that you think I would."
"Of course I don't think that, Speed. But you do have a bad temper and you and Gary haven't exactly hit it off," Trixie reasoned.
"Okay, I promise I'll be good," Speed stated.
She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Speed."
Speed sighed again then decided to change the mood. "Look, baby let's just enjoy ourselves, okay? I don't want to spoil things by talking about Lightening. Besides," he murmured as he nuzzled her bare shoulder, "I haven't kissed the birthday girl yet."
He leaned in to capture Trixie's rosebud lips just as the music stopped and the room became filled with the hum of dismay at the interruption.
"Excuse me, Speed, I have to go take care of the music," she said.
Speed humphed in mock annoyance. "Okay." He grabbed her arm and whispered, "But hurry back, I've got my motor running."
She smiled with a wink. "Rev it up, I'll be right back."
Speed grinned at the trim form of his girlfriend, admiring the way the green chiffon floated about her as she leaned over the hi-fi.
His reverie was interrupted by a familiar gravelly tenor as Sparky came over to Speed's side.
"Hiya, pal. I wondered if you two were gonna come up for air," he quipped as Speed made to punch him.
"Oh fun-ny, hardee har har. Whatya doin', watching us?" Speed demanded.
"Actually, I've been watching one Janine Trotter. Now there's a thing of beauty," Sparky said dreamily. He then sobered his manner as he said, "If you got a minute, I gotta tell you something Pops wanted me to tell ya."
Speed's curiosity was piqued. "What's up?"
Sparky grabbed his arm. "C'mon outside and I'll tell ya."
Speed glanced over at Trixie, still selecting records as he acquiesced, "Okay, Spark. But make it quick, I want to get back to Trixie ASAP."
"No problem. We'll be back in here in time for the next stack of wax. Let's go." Sparky then led Speed out the front door where he turned and faced him in the light of the harvest moon.. . .
Trixie was busy setting up the turntable with a stack of records when a slightly raspy baritone startled her.
"I didn't think the birthday girl had to be the deejay at her own party," Gary said in a slightly chiding tone.
Trixie turned and flashed a smile at the pilot /racer and she responded, "Oh I don't mind, I'm the one who threw the party."
"You mean Speed didn't throw this shindig for your birthday?" Gary was incredulous.
"Uh-uh. He actually wanted to celebrate it with me alone but I wanted a party so he helped me when he could. He had to practice with you for the race."
"Still, if it were me, I'd have made your party a priority," Gary insisted.
Trixie found herself getting incensed by what she ascertained as aspersions cast at Speed so she put her hands on her hips and determined to set Gary straight.
"Look here," she began heatedly. "Speed is a very good racer but even he needs to practice before a big race. Besides, Pops is always on his case so give him a break, Pops can be a real bear when he wants to. So stop badmouthing Speed, I won't stand for it."
Gary watched the lovely girl before him in something akin to awe. If possible, she was even more beautiful as she defended her boyfriend, her sea green eyes dark and flashing. He took an involuntary step back.
"Whoa there, Trixie. I wasn't badmouthing Speed, I was just saying what I'd have done. I'm sorry if you misunderstood me, forgive me?"
Trixie's glare softened as she replied, "Okay, you're forgiven." She turned to the hi-fi and finished setting up the record changer and turned the player on. The Temptations "My Girl" came on and Trixie was glancing about the room looking for Speed when Gary tapped her on the shoulder.
"Let me make it up to you, dance with me?" His violet eyes were earnestly pleading and she was undone.
"Well-all right," Trixie agreed a tad reluctantly as she scanned around for the ebony head that belonged to her boyfriend hoping that the sound of their song playing would bring him from out of hiding. Seeing no sign of him, she absently allowed Gary to take her in his arms. . . .
"All right, Sparky. What's so all fired important that you took me out of the party?" Speed wanted to know.
Sparky took a deep breath. "There's a problem with using the new motor for the race next Sunday. IRC said that Pops' modifications are off."
"You gotta be kidding!"
"I wish I was."
"Damn!" Speed expostulated. "Pops worked like crazy on it and now it's all wrong. He must've blown a gasket."
"That's putting it mildly. I thought he was gonna explode when he got the registered letter."
"When'd he get it?" Speed asked glumly.
"Right after you split to get ready for the party," Sparky replied.
Speed took a long, deep breath. "If I know my father, he's probably still at the factory, tearing the damned thing apart." He glanced over at the deserted track next door and the factory in the distance. He scanned the building to see if there was any light in the sprawling building, becoming worried about the elder Racer.
Sparky nudged him and said, "Actually, Pops went home after he had his tirade. He said he'd tackle the motor in the morning." He looped an arm about his buddy's shoulders. "Let's go back into the party." The Temptations "My Girl" drifted down to their ears as Sparky remarked, "Sounds like the music's back on."
"Yeah," Speed agreed as they headed back inside the cottage. He grinned at the choice of music Trixie made hold on, angel, I'm coming, remember I owe you a birthday kiss. He began humming the tune, his heart light with anticipation.
Once inside, they saw that the party had resumed by nature of the dimmed lights and moaning hi-fi with couples swaying to the music. Both men squinted as they scanned the crowd for the individual objects of their affection.
Sparky perked up as he spotted a petite form in pink with auburn hair. "There's Janine. See ya later, Speed." And he wended his way through the crowd to Janine's side.
"Yeah, happy hunting, pal," Speed said with a chuckle. He continued scanning the sea of humanity for a pert brunette in sea green and then his heart dropped when his eyes came across a scene that wrenched him to the core as strains of "My Girl" sweetened the atmosphere.
In a secluded corner by the hi-fi, Trixie was in the arms of Gary Lightening as the very song that she and Speed had chosen as "their song" was playing. Gary's arms were encircled around Trixie's waist as he held her much closer that was respectable and they appeared in their own little world.
Speed grit his teeth, fury rushing through him like a tsunami after an earthquake as his hands balled into tight fists that ached to smash Gary's perfect teeth down his throat. But Trixie's words earlier and the subsequent promise he had made in return served to help clamp down the impulse to tear Lightening apart. He decided he could stand so more and pushed his way to the front door. But before he left, he reached inside his pocket and withdrew the wrapped long box and laid it on the end table. He then exited and headed for the Mach 5. . . .
"Mom, how could you?" Victori scolded. "Poor Daddy seeing you and Gary together like that, that was the worst."
"Yeah, Mom, sheesh I never figured you for a two-timer," Cam said with disgust.
"I wasn't two-timing your father. I was looking for him when Gary had asked me to dance," Trixie protested.
"Yeah but you were Dad's girl. That guy was a snake and you should've let Dad beat his brains in," Cam insisted.
Trixie frowned and lowered her head, beginning to wonder if telling the story to her children was wise after all. Even though they were growing up, they were still idealistic about her and Speed and this particular story didn't hold either in a positive light. At least not this part of the story, at least.
Speed noticed his wife's distress and immediately leapt to her defense. "Wait a minute," he said. "Before the two of you start ganging up on your mother, let her finish telling the story. You two wanted to hear a story about us as we were dating so let her go on."
Again you're my hero, rescuing me Trixie said to herself as she gazed lovingly at the man who so many times had saved her life, now shared her life and for the last nearly twenty years was her life. "Thank you, Speed," she said softly.
Victori was filled with remorse as she said to her mother, "I'm sorry, Mom." She got up and hugged Trixie while Cam lowered his head in shame.
Trixie hugged her daughter back. "You're forgiven, love."
"Me too, Mom," he said in a cowed manner. "So could you please go on with the story?"
Trixie looked from one twin to the other as she acquiesced, "All right, if you still want me to…"
At the Racer's home, it was a quiet night with Mom and Pops Racer watching Milton Berle on the TV, and Pops trying to relax from the day's upsetting events at his wife's urging. He was reclined in his easy chair and Mom was serenely knitting on the couch when coming up the driveway, a high performance roar and the screech of tires started them.
"That sounds like Speed but it's only 9:30, I would've thought he'd be out at Trixie's party till much later," Pops said as the back door slammed and their second born son strode angrily in and stomped past his astonished parents upstairs, slamming his bedroom door. Both Racer elders looked upstairs and then at each other in total bafflement, Milton Berle and knitting both forgotten.
"Now what do you suppose is the problem with Speed?" Mom said worriedly. "He seemed very upset." The sound of loud sad music came from above with several crashes and booms. "I'd better go up, he's going to wake up Spritle." She headed for the stairs but Pops laid a hand on her shoulder to detain her.
"Leave him be, Ani. I get the feeling that he had a fight and needs to blow off some steam."
"With Trixie?" Mom asked.
Pops shrugged as he replied, "If not with her directly, then with someone else about her. He and Lightening have been feuding all week competing for her and I figured he must've had a run-in with the guy."
The ring of the telephone interrupted the discussion as Pops reached and answered it. "Hello? Yeah, this is Pops. What?… ."
Up in his room, Speed was systematically acting the part of a house wrecker as he proceeded to dismantle everything in his room except his hi-fi, which was blaring sad love songs. He wiped his bookcase clear of books, his dresser of cologne and after-shave bottles, and his night table of its lamp, alarm clock, and Trixie's picture. All he saw was a red haze and violet eyes mocking him, spurring his fury to even greater heights and allowing for further destruction.
Speed took a minute to catch his breath, panting as he surveyed the havoc he wrought in his room and his eyes fell on Trixie's picture, lying on the debris pile. He reached down and picked the photo up and stared at his girlfriend's smiling visage, with the image of her in Lightening's arms causing a pain to go through him as he cursed violently but could not bring himself to destroy her picture, she meant too much to him. He let his fingers brush across the surface of the picture as he brooded.
He was shaken from his musings by a frantic knocking on his door. Speed shook himself and stepping over the wreckage that was his room he put the picture down then went to open it.
Seeing his father's agitated face, he sighed and said, "Look Pops I'm sorry but could ya leave me,"
"You gotta come with me now," Pops barked. "Somebody's stolen the Dragonfire!"
"Huh?"
"My new engine! Somebody's broken into the factory and lifted it, we gotta get there now!" Pops grabbed his son's arm and hustled him out the door where Mom Racer and a sleepy Spritle were in the hall watching as both men sprinted down the stairs and out of the house. The roar of the Mach 5 coming to life reverberated through the house as it tore away.
NEXT-MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARENCE