Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

                                                                                        Chapter 6

                                                                                Cabin on the Lake

     By the end of the summer that year Alex and his friends would all have their driver licenses.  Lee had found a summer job which would start in a couple of weeks.  It was at a local grocery store.  His parents had bought him a car with the understanding he was to pay half the money back from his wages.  Lee dropped football so he could work part time at his job during the school year.

     He was continuing his drama classes sophomore, junior and senior years, so he wouldn't have time for football anyway.  When Lee told Alex's father Max, who was his coach that he had to drop the sport, Max wasn't happy to be losing his star quarterback but he told Lee he understood, and there were no hard feelings about it on either side.

     Fletch had found a fixer upper car and had repaired it with his dad's help.  And he was also taking a part-time job after school.  Alex cast his dad an apologetic look when he told him that he wanted to take a part-time job after school to save up for a car.  And that would mean no more basketball; and that Fletch would be quitting the team also.  From the look on his dad's face, Alex thought he might cry. 

     But Max took it like a man and said, "I knew this would happen eventually," and even gave his son a pat on the back.  "I do admire that you fellows are earning your own money to buy cars, clothes and what ever else boys buy these days.  I'm proud of you all."  Alex made a mental note to pray that some hulking guys would want to play football this year.  And that a "Michael Jordan" type kid would sign up for basketball.

     Alex's after school job was at a neighborhood convenience store a couple of blocks from his home, so he didn't need a car to get there.  He figured he wouldn't be able to afford one until his junior year.  His job was to begin a week after school started in the fall.  Glenna already had a car, a present from her parents for her birthday the past May.

     Dawn had the use of her mother's van anytime after school hours and Julie, Fletch's new girl friend had a car also, and she was more than willing to drive Fletch back and forth to school and work also, if he wanted her to.  Dawn and Glenna weren't going to Florida as they had done in years past.  This year their parents, who were very close friends were taking a trip to California. The fact that the girls were staying made Lee and Chet very happy that they could spend the summer with them.

     Alex was amused that Glenna and Lee bickered at each other as girl friend and boy friend just as much as they did when they were just friends.  But it seemed that it was all part of what made their relationship work.  And Alex, well he was having the best summer he could remember for a long time.  He and Anna spent most weekends doing things together.  His mother was disappointed that they weren't interested in a boy friend, girl friend relationship.  But Alex told Anna she would get over it.

     About a week before Alex's sixteenth birthday, he and Anna were fishing in a secluded spot at one of the local lakes, a place called "Heaven's Cove."  Alex was knee deep in the cool water fly fishing, and Anna was taking pictures of him, and the landscape surrounding them.  Alex had just shushed her for making too much noise, while laughing at him slipping on a slimy moss covered rock.

     "Mr. Bishop!" she yelled, knowing full well Alex would be irritated.  "What?" Alex yelled back, looking into her mischievous blue eyes.  "What are you going to do with your life?" she shouted.  Alex chuckled.  He knew it bothered her that he didn't have a set plan for his after high school career yet.

     "What?"  Alex yelled again.  "You heard me!"  she screamed, aiming her camera at him again.  "Something involving adventure and Mystery!" he yelled back, and then splashing water in her direction.  Anna jumped back just in time and gave out a high pitched squeal.  "I don't think there are any courses by that name in any colleges I've heard about,"  she shouted at him while laughing.

     "Maybe not by that name!"  Alex agreed.  "What college do you want to go to?"  Anna asked in a normal tone of voice while walking towards him, until she stood a few feet from where he was standing.  "I think the University of the South,"  Alex answered.  "Where's that?  Or did you make it up?"  she said with a smirk on her pretty face.

     "Its on a mountain, Mount Eagle to be exact, located in middle Tennessee," Alex said, squinting at her under his fedora hat.  Anna pulled it down over his eyes and then giggled.  Alex raised his eye brows upward which put his hat back in place again.  She frowned at him and then said,  "You know you're famous don't you?"

     "Oh Anna.  What are you talking about?"  he asked, looking at her suddenly gleeful face, while she kicked at the water with her bare feet.  "You know, the North Side Detectives!"  Alex looked almost sad for a moment.  "Oh them.  They're are a thing of the past I'm afraid.  They all have very busy lives now."

     Anna gave him a sympathetic look and leaned into him.  "Alex.  The North Side Detectives may be a thing of the past as you say.  But....adventure is still out there for you.  And I have no doubt that you will find it my friend.  Your curiosity won't be tamed.  It's what makes you.... you," she said simply, and then giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.

     Alex decided it was time for a change of subject.  "Hey.  Did you ask your dad about us coming up to the cabin for a couple of weeks?"  "Yeah.  He said that would be fine.  He said to tell you there's all kinds of fishing equipment in the boat house, and we're welcome to use the pontoon."   Alex's eyes lit up.  There was very few things he liked to do more than fishing.

     "So when do you want to go?"  Anna asked him.  "Well, how about this Friday morning?  That will give you time to get around.... whatever you girls take on trips these days,"  Alex said with a chuckle.  Anna's answer was to swat him with a tea towel she kept on her camera strap.  "In case you haven't noticed I am an outdoor girl," she said.

     "I don't take all that make-up and girlie stuff when I go on a trip."  " And I am very glad you don't.  You do not need it.  I like the way you look just as you are."  Alex said with a lopsided grin at her.  "Well,...thank you Alex.  That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me."  Alex chuckled.  "Well, don't get too used to it.  I'm usually not much for compliments." 

     "You will be when you meet the girl of your dreams,"  Anna said laughing.  "Yeah right.  I think that's a long way off,"  Alex told her in a sure voice.  "We'll see,"  she said, taking another picture.  "Okay,"  Alex started on another subject, not wanting to talk about girls anymore, "I'll pick you up on Friday...."  "Alex, would you be offended if I picked you up? Anna interrupted him.  "You see,  I just got this new convertible and I'm aching to drive it."  Alex just stared at her in awe for a moment, then said, "No. No, I don't mind it a bit."