Chapter Four
The Clear-Out

Again, Jackie and Kelso had rekindled much to Hyde's surprise. It was the end of November when Hyde's face had returned to its normal colour. It was a hum-dinger of a belt. Kitty had roped Eric into the Church's nativity scene. He could direct and Kitty was excited for the rest of the gang to get actively involved. Jackie complained to Donna the whole car-ride to the Church, even Fez tried to shut her up. It didn't stop her.

"Why do we have to get involved?! The mall has a Winter-Extravaganza sale right now! I could get all your presents today, but no! I'm spending time with you all instead!"

"Hey, Jackie... Nobody in the car, or in the whole town gives a crap. We're helping out Mrs F." Kelso rolled his eyes, giddy in his seat. He was feeling particularly festive. "I just wanna get on stage! Hey, do you guys think there'll be talent-scouts?!" He leaned forward, shoving Jackie into Donna's side. Hyde just shoved Kelso's face back into his seat.

"Nobody cares. And besides, it's two weeks until the show. We can goof off until then!" Hyde chuckled, nodding his head. Eric shook his head, pulling into the church parking lot.

"Not anymore. We're gonna do this right. It's Christmas! Do you think Jesus half-assed it?! No. 'Cause he was Jesus, man. He brought it." Eric jumped out of the car first, rushing over to the doors of the Church to meet Pastor Dave. He was eager to start directing and being in charge for a change. Kelso followed him eagerly, waiting for his part to be given to him. Fez went with Donna but Jackie stayed by the car.

"Come on, man, we gotta do this. I don't wanna do it either." Hyde tried to coax Jackie to the church but she had none of it.

"No. I don't want to do this. There's better things to be doing. Actual important Christmas things."

"Like buying presents and getting your nails painted? Yeah, right. Come on, Jackie. Look, do it for Donna, man. It's her first Christmas without Midge, alright? She needs everybody."

"Oh, shut up, Hyde. she can see me everyday if she was that desperate. I'm gonna call Big Rhonda to take my place. Her and Fez are serious. It'll be fine." Jackie moved past Hyde and into the church, heading straight for Pastor Dave's office. She closed the door over, ignoring the curious questions from Fez and Donna. As Jackie called the Hub, it was lucky to catch one of Rhonda's friends. In no time, it was agreed that Jackie and Rhonda would swap places. the phone was hung up and Rhonda would be there within the hour. So Jackie said her goodbye's and promised that it would all be worth it. Hyde scowled, shaking his head at the audacity of Jackie jumping ship so soon. He stewed the rest of the day thinking about why he hadn't thought of that in the first place.


Back at the Forman's as Kitty prepared a light snack for herself and Red, Jackie entered through the back patio door. Kitty was confused.

"Jackie, why aren't you at the church? Did you walk back here in that cold?" She asked. Red said nothing but watched and drank his coffee. Jackie was low and she looked terribly upset. "Jackie, honey?" Kitty pulled out a chair at the table for her to sit. Jackie took a place between Red and his wife, shaking her head and being generally anxious.

"I don't know what to do, Mrs Forman."

"Well, about what? Leaving the show?"

"About Steven."

"What about him? Is he bein' an ass at church?!" Red jumped in and put his mug of coffee down onto the table quickly. "I oughta go and sort his ass out!"

"No, Mr Forman. He's fine. He's been fine."

"Is this about Michael? The whole thing that happened. That was a mess- y'know, I don't know how you kids get into those kind of situations, I really don't. I felt like I was in an episode of Days of Our Lives!"Kitty went on to talk about how confusing that day was but Jackie just attempted to ignore it and focus on why she was here in the first place.

"Mrs Forman, I messed up. I got back with Michael 'cause I thought we were in love! We were never in love. Not ever. He cheated with Pam Macy and God only knows who else. I caught him at the pep rally last week with Big Boob Brenda! And, they were just, so, all over each other!"

"Uh, huh. I don't see what this has to do with Steven, honey-"

"I went back to Michael and blew any chance I had. Now I can't go back because I don't grovel. I'm a Burkhart. People grovel to us!" Jackie started to take off her jacket and relax, "and I can't break up with Michael because I would have nobody on Christmas." Jackie was now sad for sure. Her voice was quieter and she was close to tears but Red had none of it. He turned to face her and put his hand on her shoulder kindly,

"Where's your dad this year?"

"He's working in Cancun. He's been gone for a few weeks. Look, it's talking about my mom and dad and Michael that got me into this mess!" Jackie pushed her face into her hands, trying her best not to cry. Red looked at Kitty who watched Jackie. He tried to get his wife's attention to no avail. They would discuss it later. "And, I can't work in that show with both of them there because I just feel guilty. I made a bad choice and it was a stupid, tall, cartoon loving mistake! I don't know why I let him do what he does! I don't know why I go back to him!" Jackie went on and on about running back to Kelso too many times before she pulled herself together and looked at Kitty dead in the eye. "Alright, Mrs Forman. If I can't have the one I want, I don't want either. Does that sound fair?"

Kitty looked immediately at Red with frantic eyes and a look of wonder. She fought for words but ultimately agreed.
"Well, Jackie. You've made a bad decision before... a lot actually, but if this feels like a good one then we're right here. We support it. If it'll make you feel better."

"It will. I just need to focus a bit more on myself this holiday season. Take more time for Jackie!" She smiled and leaned back into the dining chair, proud of herself for making this decision. Red nodded, smiling with her,

"Alright, Jackie. 'Cause your dad ain't here this Christmas, you're more than welcome to have dinner here with us."

"Red, are you sick?" Jackie asked, squinting her eyes and raising an eyebrow.

"Well, fine. Starve!" Red snapped and went back to being grouchy, muttering into his coffee but Jackie was up on her feet and grabbing her purse and jacket,

"No, thank you! I'll be here! Thank you so much, Mr and Mrs Forman." She fled the house in a fit of excitement and ecstasy.