(The year was 1988. Jackie Burkhart was packing all of her belongings in suitcases for a trip to her hometown of Point Place, Wisconsin. She was somewhat excited to see her old friends; then again she was nervous and a little sad at realizing how they had all drifted apart. The only one of her high school friends she had even kept a little contact with over the year was Fez. She had dated Fez for three years, and looking back she noticed how foolish she had been. Maybe she had been foolish, but at one point she did love him. She had loved him dearly. The last time she had talked to him, he had given her Donna's phone number. She wanted so bad to call her and reminisce about everything, but perhaps some things were better left unsaid. Her hand reached for the phone nonetheless, and she slowly dialed the number written in her open address book. She inhaled deeply as the phone rang. One, two, three times, and then a voice.)
Jackie: Hello, can I speak to Donna?
Donna: Hi?
Jackie: Donna?
Donna: Yeah, who's this?
Jackie: Donna… this is Jackie.
Donna: Jackie…? Jackie Burkhart?
Jackie: Yeah. That's me.
Donna: Oh my God! I cannot believe you're calling!
Jackie: Look, I'm really sorry I've lost touch over the years.
Donna: Wow, Jackie! This is amazing!
Jackie: I've been moving here and there and trying to figure things out, and along the way some of my friendships… just… faded away.
Donna: Why are you calling?
Jackie: Donna, I haven't been a very good friend. I'm sorry.
Donna: It's okay. I'm just glad you called.
Jackie: I was talking to Fez a month ago, and he told me you guys have your ten-year class reunion next weekend.
Donna: You still talk to Fez?
Jackie: Well we dated until '83. Then after I left we've had short correspondences with each other.
Donna: Oh. I never really knew what went on with you two. I haven't talked with him much lately myself.
Jackie: After moving to Minneapolis, things started to change. I wanted to move on.
Donna: Wait. Are you still in Minneapolis?
Jackie: No, I'm in New York City.
(As Donna began to worry how much this phone call would skyrocket her phone bill, Jackie could feel the tears form at her eyes. Why did she get so caught up in life that she forgot where she came from? Thinking about the past was becoming so hard for her. She'd left almost everything she loved behind.)
Donna: Jackie, it's really nice to hear from you.
Jackie: Yeah. You know… I'm coming up there tomorrow.
Donna: What?
Jackie: After hearing about the class reunion, I gave it a lot of thought. I want to go.
Donna: Jackie, you weren't even in our class.
Jackie: I know, I know. I'm just hoping you all will be there too.
Donna: Well do you need a place to stay? Eric and I have a guest room if you want.
Jackie: You and Eric?
Donna: We're married.
Jackie: I know this is going to be awfully late in saying this, but… congratulations.
Donna: Thank you.
Jackie: You're welcome.
(There was an awkward silence as they both pondered over what to say next.)
Donna: We can pick you up at the airport.
Jackie: Yeah, I'm supposed to arrive at four.
Donna: Okay. We'll see you then.
Jackie: Okay. I'll see you then.
Donna: Bye.
Jackie: Bye.
(Jackie hung up the phone as the tears began to fall. How had she distanced herself so far? Why and for what purpose? She was worse off here than she had ever been at Point Place. There she had once had friends and love. Here was an empty apartment and stacks of office papers that she had not finished at work. How could this ever have been fun and exciting for her? Sure, she had taken her share of one-night stands, but they never amounted to nothing. In the end, she was only caught dreaming of her real love. She wondered if Point Place would even have the heart to take her back.)