Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

     Alex and Anna had come around the club house a few minutes earlier and spied Fletch and Julie having what appeared to be, a very personal conversation.  Anna and Alex sat in Anna's van one hundred and fifty yards from where the couple stood.  "Hmm, maybe we should come in honking or something,"  Anna suggested with a giggle in her voice.

     Alex chuckled.  "No.  Look!   They're sitting back down now.  Let's go!"   "Our friends have a lot of class,"  Julie said, holding onto Fletch's hand.  "Yep.  They must have sat behind that building for fifteen minutes  give or take,"  He chuckled.  Alex and Anna parked the van in a near by parking lot and started walking toward the bench where Fletch and Julie were seated.  "You look like you feel better,"  Anna told Fletch, suppressing another giggle.  "I do.  In fact, my appetite has improved and I'm starving,"  He said with a grin.

     Anna dropped Alex and Fletch off at the Bishop's door and both girls waved as Fletch and Alex climbed the steps and gave them a wave back.  Janeen was lounging on the sofa when the boys walked into the living room.  "Hi Mrs. B.!"  Fletch said cheerfully.  Lyn looked up from her book and grinned.  "Did you have a good night Fletch?"  she asked.

     "I had a great night!  Fletch said, beaming at the two of them.  "And I owe it all to Alex here,"  he said, throwing an arm around Alex's shoulder.  Janeen looked over at her son who just gave her a small grin and shrugged.  "That's nice,"  Janeen replied, but she was curious as to what Alex had done to put Fletch in such a good mood.

     Alex and Fletch were on their way to his room when Lyn turned in her chair and said to Fletch with a sly grin, "Does that grin mean you don't want me to hurry and grow up anymore?"  Fletch didn't answer but just tweaked her chin with a smirk on his face and then followed Alex into his room.  "Boy!  What a difference a golf game can make huh?"  Janeen said in Lyn's direction.  Lyn just laughed and then both of them went back to their reading.

     "I really do owe this evening to you Alex," Fletch said when he had shut his bedroom door.  "And well, Anna.... to," Fletch added in a grateful voice, and then grabbing a pair of shorts and a tee shirt from his bag that he had brought along.  "That's what friends are for,"  Alex said changing into his night clothes.  "If you hadn't dragged me out of this house, I wouldn't have met Julie,"  Fletch said, pulling back the sheet.

     "Well, I got something good from it too, other than you returning to normal that is.  I met Anna, and I have a date with her,"  Alex said with his lopsided grin, then sliding under his covers.  "Glad I could help,"  Fletch said with a chuckle.  It was quiet for a few moments, then Fletch mumbled, "Hey Alex!"  "Hmm,"  Alex said sleepily.  "Thanks,"  Fletch murmured.  "You're welcome Fletch,"  Alex whispered.

     "You know, I bet not many guys find the girl of their dreams by being hit on the head with a golf club,"  Fletch mused.  When Alex didn't reply, Fletch said, "Good night Alex."  "You're a rarity Fletch,"  Alex said closing his eyes and saying, "Good night."

     The next day Fletch called Lee, Glenna and Dawn and asked them if they would meet him at Alex's place at nine o'clock in the morning.  His friends readily agreed when they heard the cheerfulness in his voice.  Dawn was the first to arrive curiosity burning in her eyes, wondering what this meeting was all about.

     Glenna and Lee arrived a few minutes later.  Before there were any words spoken, there were hugs, handshakes and pats on the back.  Then Fletch told his friends what had happened at the golf course the night before.  "Aw, that's so cool," Dawn cooed.  "I'm happy for you buddy,"  Lee said, clamping an arm on his shoulder.

     "When do we get to meet Julie?"  Glenna asked him.  "Soon,"  was all Fletch said with a smirk at her.  "And don't ask me any questions about her," he smirked again.  You'll just have to wait and see." He said in finality crossing his arms over his chest.  Before anyone could comment on what Fletch had said, Alex spoke up with, "I have something to tell too," he was looking particularly at Dawn.  "Anna and I made plans to see each other again."  "That's great Alex!"  Dawn gushed.  "I was beginning to wonder if your plan in life was to become a monk."  Everyone laughed, including Alex.

     "Okay, give. You'll give us details won't you Alex?"  Dawn pleaded, with a frown at Fletch.   Then before Alex could answer, she started, "What does she look like?  Does she go to our school?  What...."   "Take a breath Dawn,"  Alex said, stopping her from firing questions at him.  But, unlike Fletch who had given a one word answer to Glenna's question,  Alex didn't mind telling Dawn all that he knew about his new friend.

     "Her full name is Anna Roberts.  "She's....cute, with short shaggy black hair and dark blue eyes.  She kinda has a "Just rolled out of bed look" but I like it,"  Alex chuckled.  The rest of them laughed too.  "And before you get too excited Dawn, we both  just want a friendship, nothing serious."  Dawn's face fell a little.

     Alex grinned at her.  "I know that offends your romantic sensibilities, but you're going to have to live with it," he said, Laughing.  "Well," Dawn started again, with half a frown on her face, "If I must."  Alex laughed again. Then he added, "You'll like this part Dawn,  Anna wants to be a photographer for one of the big magazines, traveling the world taking award winning photos.  And in case that career doesn't work out, she's going to Harvard Law School as her back up plan."  Alex said proudly.  To everyone's amazement, Dawn had nothing to say.  Which didn't happen very often.

                                                                              End of Chapter 5