Chapter 4

In Today's World You Never Know…

Jackie hung up her pink phone that was designed to look like a rotary style like the one she used to have in

her bedroom when she was a teenager. She had just spent the last 3 hours talking to Eric on the phone

reassuring him that it was for the best if this Jamie "broke-up" a non-existent relationship. There was something

strange about her and Jackie felt awful for trying to play matchmaker looking back on it she didn't know Jamie

personally she was just her cosmetics rep. It's not like they knew each other. Her doorbell rang and she had to

get out of her nice warm covers to answer it. She looked through the hotel-style peephole in the center of the

door. Oh, she had to be kidding! Jackie noticed the pink and purple Casablanca Cosmetics box. She could get

through this.

"Jamie…."

"Here is your final order." Tempting as it was to just throw it down on her dark amethyst pedicure, but

determined to get the last word Jamie spoke, "Now you don't have to worry about kicking my ass. I ended it

with Eric."

"There was nothing to end…." Jackie took the box out of her hands.

"You never realize the trouble you cause. I do love Eric, I always will, and this is really none of your business."

"What trouble have I caused?"

"If only….you think you know me. Here's a newsflash for you, Sweetie. You never did. You are still as spoiled

and self-absorbed as ever."

She could have this argument right here on the front porch. But she couldn't waste time fighting with Jackie

Beulah Burkhart. She had an appointment and didn't want to be late for it.

"Just fucking stay away from me and Eric, you freak…"

That phrase always stung and she didn't even know the half of it. Jamie took a deep breath with the

knowledge that she had that neither Jackie or Eric possessed. It was time to just turn around and walk

away from the danger source. The ironic thing was Jamie was enjoying her girly friendship with the equally

girly Jackie. It was like having your heart broken twice. Jamie couldn't have Eric Forman as a boyfriend or Jackie

Burkhart as her friend.

It really sucked.

The red-haired woman sat in the restaurant in the hotel that she was staying at. If she didn't hear it and the

contents of the three hour phone call, she wouldn't have believed it. It just went to show that you really don't

know people, even those that are your best friends. She had her hands around the warm cup of tea. She never

knew anyone who went through this.

Until Now.

She was hesitant to call it a disorder, being gay used to be considered a disorder in the ICD-9 as if it was a

disease, which wasn't true. She checked some books out of the library back home in Chicago and she instantly

felt guilty that she couldn't spot the signs, the time they grew up in wasn't kind on homosexuality, which Jamie

wasn't, but something that was equally taboo. A request to fax her a picture was declined she wanted to see

her in person.

"Donna Pinciotti…." She looked up amazed at the woman in front of her. "Hi…"

Donna stood up knowing to be careful of the words she chose in public, "Hello, Jamie. Hug?"

"Of course…I could use one!"

Donna kissed Jamie's baby soft cheek, "if I say I wish you told me…. I'm going to sound like one big cliché aren't

I?"

"Don't worry about it. I'm going to need something stronger than tea…."

"I don't know what we should talk about first?" It was different seeing her in person.

"Are you mad that I am in love with Eric? It's not like I could really have him…." Jamie started

"I love Eric like a friend, but a friend I shouldn't spend time with because all it does is turn into an argument so

I've been avoiding him for years. How is he?"

The waitress came by and overturned the white china cup to fill it with coffee for Jamie and not the weak stuff

with the orange top.

"He works in a bank, is still a Star Wars, Sci-Fi obsessed geek, but I don't think that's what you mean." Jamie put

in 2 blue sugar packets in the coffee and didn't bother with the cream.

"Do I have your permission to write about you? I'll fictionalize it…."

"If you need to, in fact, it might inspire some kid or teenager to realize they aren't alone so yes, write an article.

But I am curious about something. Did you come all this way from Chicago for 'a scoop' or did you come as my

friend?"

"Jamie," Donna reached for her hand, "I am your friend. I come across as such a bitch don't I?"

"You know I was quite pleased when I had my first real bitch insult. Some driver on the highway cut me off and

called me a bitch from their window. That's when I knew at least the physical part was a success."

"Why don't you just tell Eric the truth?"

"Donna, are you on crack?" Jamie opened the menu.

"You might have no choice if you want to have a relationship with him…"

"Well, I broke that off…and telling Eric means telling Jackie. They're BFF's. Who knew?"

"They're cautious because they don't know the truth. Your truth. Maybe you need to tell them…I mean, they

won't broadcast it, so it's not like you won't be safe."

"Donna," Jamie put the menu down, "Don't you think I want to? Don't you think I've thought about it? If you

think this is complicated, telling them the truth would be complication times infinity. Right now, I'm the strange

girl, the one Jackie never knew who bought cosmetics off me, the one Eric had the best kisses with, but in

today's world you never know…I could be a cold-blooded killer, a manipulator who wants money, whatever evil

they want to label it. You know what I liked?"

Donna was content to let her speak, "What?"

"On those rare occasions, back then, really back then…when I could hug Eric and it was acceptable. I thought of

kissing him then, many times. But then he'd think I was gay and I'm not gay." And a lot of people in her position

live that lie. Yes, you were gay if you always were attracted to the same sex to begin with.

Jamie was a woman, attracted to a man, one man in particular, therefore, not gay.

"Wow. I don't mean sound like you are an exhibit in a museum, Jamie. This is new to me. I saw specials on cable

every now and then, but never knew anyone…really, I want to write an article about you…my friend…. we'll even

publish it in a non-profit publication, least you think I want to make money off your pain."

Jamie smiled, "Thank you, Donna. You've been a breath of fresh air. How about we order lunch and talk about

anything other than this 1—mumble—mumble hundred pound elephant in the room?"

"Sounds good. I should've been a better friend to all of you. Maybe, I could've helped. Where were you when I

returned his promise ring?"

"Crass as it's going to sound, happy…not happy that you guys were in pain, but much pleased that you two

were broken up. It was much easier to fantasize about Eric that way."

Donna nodded, "Hmm. The chicken walnut salad sounds pretty good…." She had the information in her hands,

the question was, what good could she do with this knowledge?

After all knowledge was supposed to be power. Should she backstab Jamie and tell Eric behind her back?

No, a real friend and respected writer keeps confidences.

She just wanted everyone to be happy.