The Choice of a Lifetime
Choice Two – Naperville, Illinois – The Beginning
We're now about a hundred miles south of Point Place, in an upper middle class suburb of Chicago. Naperville, Illinois. Like a great deal of the town's men, every day your father Jack commutes to the city by train. He works for the Internal Revenue Service. Try not to hold that against him. Your mother Pamela is a housewife, and she is dedicated to taking care of you and your older sister Stephanie. You live well, in a comfortable but modest home. You have everything you need, and almost everything you want.
It's a very nice way to live…
Jackie's seventh birthday
The playroom, located in the lower level of the Burkhart's relatively new tri-level house, bore the markings of a party; streamers, balloons, all of pinks and purples and blues, perfect for a young girl. Jackie Burkhart stood in the middle of the room, amongst about fifteen kids dressed in their Sunday best, and she beamed. Her eyes, one blue, one green, gleamed with happiness, and the skirt of her white dress swished wildly as she ran over to her mother. "Mommy, when is the magician coming out?" She giggled. "I wanna see him pull a bunny out of a hat!"
Pamela, a tall and lovely woman with the same smooth olive skin as her daughter, smiled lovingly and patted her youngest child's shoulders. "In just a minute, sweetheart. Daddy's bringing him down as we speak."
Jackie clapped her hands together. "Yay!" She turned and scampered back to a group of kids. "Hey you guys, the magician will be here in a minute."
One of the kids, a skinny one with mousy brown hair, grinned sarcastically. "Yeah, well, I bet that the magician is just your dad dressed up like one."
Jackie frowned, and reached out to swat at the boy's arm. "You take that back, Eric Forman! My daddy works in the city in a big building. He is NOT a magician!" She rolled her eyes. "My daddy makes more money than a magician. Magicians are poor."
Love giggled and looked at the angel. "I guess some things are going to be the same in each choice, eh?"
Paul smiled. "Yep."
The girl standing next to Eric, a girl much taller than either Jackie or Eric, with long red hair and a face dotted with freckles, looked at Jackie in confusion. "So why are you having one at your birthday party?"
Jackie crossed her arms across the flowery bodice of her dress and turned disdainful eyes to the girl. "Because, Donna, magicians can pull bunny rabbits out of hats!"
Eric shrugged. "Whatever. I still say that it's just gonna be your dad."
"Okay, kids, get ready! Here comes the amazing Fernando!"
The kids began to clap as a tall man in snazzy tuxedo, complete with a top hat, sauntered into the room, Jackie clapping the loudest and bouncing up and down on her feet.
Donna elbowed Eric and pointed to the side of the room. "Looks like you're wrong, Eric. There's Jackie's dad, and there…" She pointed at Fernando, who was beginning his show at the front of the room. "Is Fernando." She grinned. "You are wro-ong, you are wro-ong!"
Eric rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Love smiled. "This is much better than the other birthday. At least her parents are here, and threw her a party."
Her guide nodded. "Yes. And a nice one." The angel smiled. "I like magicians."
She giggled. "You do, huh? What, did you know one in a former life?"
Paul rolled his eyes. "Funny, funny. Keep watching."
A few hours later, the group of kids now sat on the floor in a large circle. Jackie sat in a rocking chair, gifts wrapped in bright colors with shining bows gathered around her. She picked up one and grinned, looking at a good-looking boy with amazing brown hair. "This one is from Michael."
"Read the card!" one of the children called as Jackie opened and scanned the card.
She giggled and batted her eyelashes in Michael Kelso's direction. "I don't know if I should…"
Donna grinned. "You read everyone else's!"
"Okay, fine!" Jackie smiled sweetly at Michael, who was flushed slightly in the cheeks. She looked down at the hand drawn card. The picture was off a house, with tulips in front, and two stick figure people. "Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and I like you!"
The circle of kids broke out in a loud, unison, "ooooo" that quickly turned into giggles. Michael grinned, his face now turning beet red, and closed his eyes.
Love cocked her head. "Aww, that poor boy. He looks so embarrassed!" She raised an eyebrow. "Jackie is still staring at him. Does she have a crush on him?"
Paul nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "That's the boy Jackie ends up with in this choice. Michael Kelso."
She smiled, a sweet sensation opening in her middle. "Well, what a sweet story they'll have to tell their children and grandchildren." She beamed at the angel. "I really like this choice so far."
Paul nodded benignly. "I'm sure you do."
The basement was empty, but for Jack and Pamela Burkhart. They had large trash bags and were busy picking up wrapping paper, and other discarded party items and toys. Jackie galloped down the stairs. "Mommy! Daddy!"
Pam stood up, the bag falling from her hand as her daughter wrapped around her leg. She laughed and hugged the little girl. "Hi, Jackie."
"What's up, pumpkin?"
Jackie smiled up at her parents, her eyes, blue and green, shining with youthful innocence and bliss. "I just wanna say thank you for my party. Jessica said it was the best one she's ever been to!"
Jack reached out and tussled his daughter's raven hair. "You're welcome, Jackie. You deserved it. Did you have fun?"
She nodded vigorously. "I did! I had so much fun!"
Pam stroked her back. "Do you know where you want to go for dinner?"
"We get to go out for dinner, too?"
Jack laughed. "Of course. It's your birthday, and we always go out to dinner on birthdays."
Jackie clapped her hands together. "YAY!'
"Wow, this is so much different than Wisconsin. Her parents obviously love her. And spend time with her." She gazed down at the happy family and pressed her hand to her chest. "They look so happy." Love couldn't stop her smile.
Her guide nodded. "They do. And they are. But come with me. More to see."
Two years later, Jackie and her friends are in fifth grade. All four classes in their grade are putting on a program for the parents, and Jackie is excited.
Jackie nudged Donna as the girls sat on the risers, bored by Mrs. McAllister's class' song. "Michael's gonna use my clipboard for his skit," she whispered.
Donna shrugged. "So what?"
"So, Donna, he'll be touching something of mine!"
The red head rolled her eyes and peered out into the darkened audience. "Again, so what?"
Jackie pouted and stopped bouncing her leg. She looked down at the spoken of clipboard in her lap. "So, I like him, okay?"
Donna sighed and looked at her best friend. "I know you do, but…" She chewed her lower lip. "He's going out with Michelle Pennell." Jackie looked at her, her eyes sad, and Donna lifted her shoulders. "I don't know why, Jackie. I guess it's…well, Kelso likes cheerleaders and she's taking some stupid cheer class at the Barn."
Jackie huffed and glared out into the audience. "Well, then I'm gonna be a cheerleader." She shook her head. "I'm going to get him to like me whatever it takes, Donna."
Donna smiled. "I'm sure you will, Jackie," she patronized. Jackie beamed in return, and Donna stifled her giggle.
Love nodded. "She has a crush on Michael. How cute!" She looked at Paul. "Does he like her back?"
He took her arm. "Come on. You'll see."
Jackie and her friends are now in high school.
"Did she become a cheerleader?"
Paul looked at Love with mild irritation. "Please don't interrupt me. You'll find out soon enough."
She looked down, chewing lightly on her lip. "Sorry.
"As I was saying…"
Jackie and her friends are now in high school. She is an excellent student, excelling particularly in math. She also fulfilled her elementary school vow and has become a cheerleader. Her crush on Michael Kelso looms large, and with typical Jackie cunning, she's figured out a way to use her math skills to get closer to him.
Jackie sat on a dingy orange couch in the basement of Eric Forman's house and looked to her right, sighing in exasperation. "Michael, are you listening to me? Do you understand what I just said?" He continued staring in front of him at the television set, his well chiseled jaw opened, his lips parted in appreciation of "Charlie's Angels".
Steven Hyde sat on a chair to her right, his curly hair ruffled, his clothing (jeans, a tee shirt and a jean jacket) looking as if they'd seen better days. And of course, his eyes blocked by his trademark sunglasses. "Odds are he didn't. I mean, you're talking about numbers larger than 1."
Love arched an eyebrow at the way Hyde's smile seemed to grow when Jackie grinned at him. "Does Steven Hyde like her or something?"
The angel shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. You'll see."
Jackie turned back to find Michael still glued to the television set. She swatted his arm. "Michael!"
Kelso double jerked his head towards her, his eyes wide. "What? Were you saying something?"
She tossed her pencil onto the table. "I was trying to help you study. You know, to help you stay on the football team. Remember? Like you asked me to?"
He nodded. "Right, right. I know, but…" His eyes lit up and his lanky body rose up, clumsily bumping into the coffee table. "I will, but first I wanna have a Popsicle."
Jackie sighed and watched Michael walk over to the deep freeze. Her expression softened; her eyes began to shine with the hazy light of unrequited love. She turned her head and looked at Donna. "Should I do it?" she mouthed soundlessly to her best friend.
Donna shrugged and shook her head. "I don't know," she mouthed in response.
Jackie took a deep breath and stood. The light in her eyes deepened as she headed towards the object of her affection. Briefly, as she passed his chair, her gaze skimmed over Hyde.
Love frowned. "Doesn't she see how Hyde is looking at her? Can't she tell that he likes her?"
Paul shook his head. "Well, unlike you, she can't see through the sunglasses. But also, it's not something she wants to see."
"Why? Wouldn't she like to know?"
He smiled. "Just wait."
"So Michael," Jackie said, her strong voice shimmering on the last syllable. She stood next to him, close, and they both perched their rear ends on the top of the deep freeze. She smiled sweetly. "The Valentine's Day dance is coming up."
He gave her blank look. "Yeah, guess it is."
She inched closer, undeterred when he immediately scooted away, keeping distance between them. "Are you going to ask anyone?" Again she moved closer, and again, he drew away. "Because dances are really good places for new couples to get to know each other."
Kelso stared at her, his eyes glassy with confusion, then breaking. He smiled and began chuckling as he backed away from her towards the staircase. "Wait a second, Jackie. You're not thinking…" He wagged his finger between her and himself. "You and me, are you? 'Cause if you are, you better just stop." He laughed and looked around at the others. "I mean, you're cute and all, but I only date cheerleaders."
Donna raised an eyebrow. "She IS a cheerleader, Kelso."
"Oh yeah." His eyes darted around the room, searching for an excuse that sounded believable. "OH! I only date head cheerleaders." He grinned and nodded. "Yeah. And you're not a head cheerleader."
Jackie, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed a becoming rose, smiled sexily and sauntered to Kelso. "But you think I'm cute."
Kelso pushed past her and stalked over to in front of the television. He took a deep breath and turned to face Jackie. "Okay, look. You and I are never gonna happen. I mean, I can't blame you for wanting me, since I'm so hot and all. But I'm not interested. You don't have a chance."
Jackie's smile fell. "But you think I'm cute. That has to mean something."
Kelso rolled his eyes. "No, it doesn't."
She crossed her arms over her chest and jutted out her chin. "Yes, it does."
Kelso huffed and began pacing, obviously flustered.
Jackie smirked. "See? I'm getting to you. And that means you like me!"
"I DON'T like you, Jackie!" He looked at Hyde, pointing at him. "Hyde, what was that poem you told me the other day? Hi….hi…something?"
Hyde shook his head, irritated. "Haiku."
"That's it! Now tell it to me again so I can tell it to Jackie."
Hyde leaned back in his chair and lifted his feet to the footstool. "Can't man, I forgot it."
Jackie shook her head. "Give it up, Michael. I know that you…"
Kelso's face lit up, and he approached Jackie, taking hold of her shoulders. "I remembered it! Awesome! Now look, Jackie. This hi…hi…
"Haiku, you moron!"
"Haiku. Right. It sums up my feelings for you, okay?" Kelso took a deep breath. "My heart aches with pain."
Jackie smiled and tilted her head.
"When I see you, I vomit."
Her smile disappeared, her eyes narrowed and darkened.
"Die away from me."
He turned and left the basement, punctuating his brutal words with a hard slam of the basement door. Jackie stood, her eyes lowered to the floor and moving back and forth, the only part of her body to move at all. Her face was rapidly reddening, and her shoulders slumping.
Love glared towards the door Kelso had just exited. "That was incredibly rude. How can she still like him? He's a jerk!" She crossed her arms and tried to still her quivering form. Heat spread through her.
Paul smiled gently. "Like I told you before, the heart is a funny thing. Now come. We need to skip forward a few hours.
The branches of the trees gleamed with moonlight, darts of silver through dark green flora. A black car was parked in an opening of the woods, and on the hood, Jackie and Hyde sat, not terribly close.
Jackie stared at the dirty ground in front of her, but her lips curled into a small smile. "Thanks for driving me up here, Hyde. I just…I was so embarrassed, and everyone was looking at me like they felt sorry for me." She rolled her eyes. "I can't stand that, you know?"
Hyde nodded, taking a sip of the soda he held. "Yeah, well, I was getting bored anyway." He handed her the soda. "Have some of my pop."
Jackie smiled at him and took the cup. "Thanks." She looked at him curiously. "I'm surprised you offered. I mean, I thought you hated me."
Hyde shook his head, staring off into the distance. "Nah. I don't hate you, just everything you stand for. Cheerleading, conformity, middle-class complacency." He looked at her and grinned. "Teasing."
She giggled and took another long sip of his pop. "Just for that, I finished your pop." She shoved the empty cup at him and scooted closer to him. "You know, this is kind of nice. Like bowling."
He raised an eyebrow. "Bowling?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Easy. Fun." He gave her a weird look, and she shrugged. "And I don't hate bowling."
The two stared at one another, and after a moment that seemed pregnant with chemistry, leaned to each other. Their lips met in a slow kiss, but just as Hyde began to deepen it, just as she seemed to be melting into him, Jackie pulled away. Her eyes, wide and startled, stared at him. "I…that was just…we shouldn't have…"
Hyde shook his head and looked away. "You don't have to say it. I know. It was a mistake."
Love bit her lower lip. "He sounds so sad." Behind the sunglasses, she could see his eyes closing, his brow clenching, and an ache opened in her middle. "He really likes her."
Jackie twisted her hands together. "No, I mean, Steven, the kiss was hot, and it's not you…it's just…I just really like Michael, Steven, and…" She looked at him apologetically. "I know he says he doesn't like me, but I'm going to get him to." She took a breath and looked up into the sky, the apology on her face morphing into trademark Jackie determination. "I swear to God, I'm going to get him to."
Love shook her head, staring at Jackie, feeling an odd resolve in her middle. "I don't get it," she said softly. "Hyde so obviously likes her. Michael was a complete jerk to her. And she's still going to chase after him?"
"She believes Michael is her true love," the angel said, its own eyes focused rather sadly at the scene below. She closed them, as if thinking of something, then shook off the thought and turned to Love. "Come. Let's go see how Jackie and Michael get together."
