That Girl
Chapter 4
To all: thanks for the reviews they are very helpful. As far as the pairings, I was trying to be cute, but I think it backfired and just became too confusing. Hopefully this chapter clears up some of the confusion.
Back in Donna and April's apartment. 1982.
Since most of the furniture was moved into her bedroom, Donna went to help with the U-Haul, she left Jackie in charge of her bedroom. Zack and Hyde were working on the heavy stuff, while she and her dad unloaded some of the lighter stuff. There was a big piece of furniture in front of the little ones; Donna told her dad to wait for the guys to move it; but he wouldn't listen.
Just then Jackie came running outside to Donna her hands full of a green t-shirt with a big "0" in the middle and a pair of jeans way to small for Donna to fit into, she recognized it immediately as Eric's. "Donna you have some explaining to do".
(Donna walks over to Jackie to take the clothes out of her hands and gives a heavy sign.) Not now Jackie, I'm in the middle of moving.
Are these who I think they are? (although she already knew the answer).
Yes.
(They both hear a thud come from the truck and see Bob lying on the bed of the truck; sharp pains started shooting thru his body. His face went white and he grabbed his heart. Donna knew immediately what happened and ran to get everyone and told April to call an ambulance.)
The ambulance came and took Bob away sirens blaring. Hyde, Donna, Jackie and April followed in the Vista Cruiser. They left Zack there because April called E. F. and he was on his way over. This way they would finish unloading the truck.
Eric left and was locking his door, when he heard the phone ring. He was stuck between answering or not, he decided why not. He got the call and knew he was needed immediately.
Once in his car, his mind flashed back to when Red had his heart attack and how it ruined any chance he and Donna had to live together. This just prompted another flashback to 1980, what a horrible year.
Thanksgiving 1980.
It would be his first trip home from school. As always, Thanksgiving at the Forman's was a special holiday; this year especially because it was gong to be the last with the Pinciotti's because they were moving to Florida. His mom asked him to put aside his differences with Donna and come home. His mom had also warned him, that Donna and Hyde had started dating, well not really dating, she wasn't sure what they were calling it. Donna was at school in Madison, and Hyde was still in Point Place, but they had gotten together about 2 months ago. Jackie and Fez were still together, also.
Eric decided since everyone was bringing someone, he asked Trish to accompany him. After all it is a long drive from Maine. He basically was going to drive home for Thanksgiving and then leave he next day and drive back to school. He remembered how much fun Donna always made road trips when they drove alone. As pleasant as that thought was his mind immediately returned to Thanksgiving. He came home to a great big hug from his mom and a solid hand shake and greeting from his dad. He was glad no one else was home when he got there. He introduced Trish and she immediately offered to help Kitty with the cooking. His dad told him Hyde was alone in the basement and this would be a good time for the two of them to see each other. As much as he didn't want to, he knew his dad was right.
Hyde was sitting in his usual seat, watching TV, he had on a dress shirt and tie; Eric figured his mom must have asked him to dress up. He was gong to try and play it cool, he had a girl with him so what did he care if Hyde and Donna were together.
Hey Hyde, how're ya doing?
(Hyde looks up from his chair as Eric enters the basement) Good, Forman, how's school?
Ok, you know, the work is tough and the parting is even tougher.
(Hyde laughs), You know you could never party anyhow…um…listen….(Hyde is very uncomfortable) you know about Donna and me…right?
(Eric tries to act cool, but he can't hide his disappointment) Yeah, (sarcastically) at least she's with someone I like. I brought a girl with me, too…..Trish.
That the girl you dumped Donna for?
Yeah…no…I didn't dump Donna for her, I really don't want to get into it…OK?
Look, the three of us have been friends forever, I'd like it if you were cool with this.
(Eric looks around) Hyde I don't know if I will ever be OK with anyone but me with her!
How can you say that, that's incredibly selfish. Besides the gal you chose is upstairs.
I know, Trish is great; but it just feels weird to see her with anyone else.
(Donna yells downstairs to tell them dinner was ready)
Dinner was as uncomfortable as you can imagined. Donna, Hyde, and Bob sat on one side of the table; while Trish, Eric, Jackie and Fez sat on the other. Red and Kitty were at the head and foot. Since there was a brief moment of silence, Kitty decided to quiz Trish. She was smart, quick, a pretty girl, about 5' 7" tall, very little make-up, very shapely and very down to earth. Kitty and Red were impressed. In fact at one point, Red mentioned to Donna how much she reminded him of the way Donna used to be; followed quickly by Kitty's signature laugh and Kitty trying to change the subject. It seemed the only one not impressed was Donna. After dinner the boys went downstairs while Red and Bob retired to the living room and the girls cleaned up.
(Down in the basement, Eric and Hyde continued their earlier conversation, while Fez looked on.)
H: Look, I don't know what happened between her and Randy, they split up right after you left for school. She left for school soon afterwards, too.
F: Yeah, she got real skanky.
E: Skanky?
H: Yeah, she stated boning everyone at school.
E: Hyde don't talk that way about her.
H: Why, it's true.
E: First, she's our friend, and second aren't you two going out?
H: Naw, we just screw each other, no attachment, no commitment.
(Eric is getting mad) Hyde, you're such an asshole.
H: What, don't you like me telling about your ex .
E: No, I don't….
H: You're such a chick.
(Donna was on the stairs, stopped and listened to the conversation)
E: Listen, when we were together we didn't bone or screw or play hide the salami, we made love to each other.
H: Too bad, Forman, she does now.
E: So tell me, how does it feel to know while you're with her she's thinking about me, wishing it was me or has she called out my name while you're doing it?
(Hyde realizes he hit on a nerve and pushes it more) Why, is that what you do with Trish, wish it was Donna? You know, if she starts screaming, I usually stick something in her mouth.
(Donna hears this and is saddened by it, she is touched by what Eric said, but also knows Trish is with him now, she is the one he's making love to not her.)
E: God, Hyde, What happened to you. How would you feel if Fez started talking the way about Jackie?
H: Don't bring Jackie into it.
(Eric also knows how to push Hyde's buttons): Why? Do you still have feeling for her?
H: No, she's with Fez.
Fez realizes this could end up in a fight, tries to lighten the mood: Yes, I do like it when Jackie does that special thing with her tongue.
E/H: SHUT UP, FEZ!
(Donna hears Trish and Jackie coming so she runs down the stairs and acts like she's been down there awhile. The six of them are sitting around the TV watching the football game in silence.)
Jackie can't stand it, since she and Trish are sitting on the couch starts talking to her: So, Trish, Donna and I made a list of the 30 qualities we look for in a guy, do you want to see it?
(Trish puts her arm around Eric): I don't need a list; I know what I like.
(Donna gets upset seeing this and sits on Hyde's lap. Hyde groans and she hits him then starts talking) Well, to let you know we picked who we thought best fit that quality…..we had to choose between Hyde, Fez or Eric.
T: That's cool and all, but I usually don't have that much time at school, between Eric, working, studying or partying my time is used up. (She now looks to Eric for help)
E: How about we change the subject. Who do you think'll win the football game?
D: Who cares. You afraid of how you fared against these two?
E: Not really, I don't care.
D: Well, I'll tell ya anyway ….you only won 2 qualities and one was smallest wrists. I put that in just so you'd win at least one.
Trish taps Donna on the knew and winks at Jackie: Come on, Donna, I know why you put that one in….those skinny wrists are so nimble and attached to those long fingers that really seem to know how to touch the right places….I'm sure you remember!
(Hyde Fez and Jackie just look at each other. While this makes Donna even madder. She decides to change the subject): Eric, what qualities do you look for in a woman… what attracted you to Trish.
H: That's a loaded question, Forman, answer it carefully.
Eric looks at Trish and then back at Donna) That's easy. I've always been attracted to smart, intelligent women, who like to laugh and have a good time. Oh, yeah, I also don't like girls who smoke…cigarettes that is.
J: Eric, you missed the most important quality, looks!
E: You know, Jackie, nothing is sexier than a girl who is confident in herself and real.
F: Real? You don't like girls who color their hair?
Eric looks at Donna: No, that's not the real I was talking about. I mean real as in, they don't change their personality depending upon whom they are with. Although I have to admit it now, I think I preferred your hair red.
J: Don't even think about it lumberjack, you know how gross I thought it was. Steven, (which makes everyone stare at her) what qualities to you look for?
H: I have to admit I agree with Forman except for the smoking part….well, it also depends on the mood I'm in….hooking up with a skank every now and then, keeps the mind clean. (with that he lights up a cigarette and hands it to Donna who takes a puff and blows the smoke directly at Eric)
Eric looks at Donna annoyed, waves his hand and blows the smoke away: See Fez, this is what I mean by real.
Donna still mad at Eric: Maybe this is the real me…before I was some stupid high school girl who thought she was in love with her next door neighbor.
(Eric stands up to get away from the smoke): Yeah, from what I hear, you're the school slut and almost flunking out and trying to replace the love you lost with one night stands.
Trish to Eric: Stop it…this is thanksgiving.
D: Listen, when Randy and I broke it off….
E: You know I'm not talking about Randy….
Hyde stands up and grabs Trish: I think we better back off and let the two of them fight it out.
(Trish and Hyde back up to the freezer, as Donna and Eric are face to face again.)
Eric stares her down then backs away and speaks to everyone: So, you and Jackie made a list. I wonder what questions were on this list. Here's a couple questions I have, I wonder if they were on the list and girls tell me how would you answer them. Number one, whose arms do you dream about falling asleep in and waking up in? Number two, if you're in trouble whose shoulder do you want to cry on? And the big one number 3, because all of the other questions really don't matter, who do you love? Jackie, who would you answer if I asked you those questions….Fez or Hyde?
Jackie: SHUT UP! Forman.
Hyde to Jackie: How would you answer them?
Fez looks between the two of them as they are staring at each other: Jackie, Hyde is this true?
Eric puts his arm around Fez: I'm sorry, pal, but you know Jackie doesn't love you…she's still in love with Hyde just like he's in love with her.
Hyde: Forman, you re such a woman, Look, Fez, I've got Donna and you have Jackie…all he's trying to do is get Donna back.
Fez: I don't think so…(he looks one last time at Jackie, but she is still staring at Hyde, she turns to look at him with a sad smile, nods her head and Fez goes running out the basement door. Hyde and Jackie turn and look at each other again)
(Donna walks over to Eric and slaps him) What'd do that for…I'm still not coming back to you!
E: I know; I've got Trish. (Although all he can think about is how Donna is so alone and he wants to go comfort her, tell her, he loves her and hold her one more time)
D: So, you don't want me at all…..right….I know you better than anyone in this room; including Trish. What is it? If you can't have me no one can?
E: NO, what's going on is just wrong. Look, I told you I like women who are confident in themselves; you need to clean yourself up, become the woman we all used to know and (thinks to himself) I love.
D: Well, that ain't gonna happen. I like my new freedom, in fact, maybe I'll go find Fez and we can get drunk together.
E: Don't do that, Donna….(before he can say anything else, Donna exits thru the same door as Fez, he grabs Trish and heads upstairs)
The last thing he heard as they left was Steven…..Jackie….I'm so sorry….I know….then a crash as the two of them ended up on the coach mauling each other.
September 1982As he reached his destination, his mind is brought back to the present. At least Hyde and Jackie got back together, one good thing happened in 1980.