A Point Place Production

Chapter 7

The next morning was a bit brisk for it being late spring, but Eric seemed that this day brought him a stronger sense of optimism than anytime throughout the prior couple of weeks. He was up early and was motivated to get packed up quickly and get going to Madison before his mom arrived home from her overnight shift at the hospital. He knew if he had to tell her he was taking off for a day or two to her face that it would break her heart and he couldn't bear to see that look in person. Of course, this won't be possible if they don't get going and soon. Where is Jackie? he thought to himself. She's probably taking WAY too long with her hairspray and her make up and everything else getting herself ready. Not that its...

"Eric! Get over here now! I'm dying over here!" Eric turned and there she was, at the end oof the driveway with what looked like way too much luggage for a brief road trip. He did as instructed and took what looked like the heaviest item from her and carried it towards the Vista Cruiser.

"God Jackie, are you planning to dress everyone you see on this trip?" he grunted as he struggled with the heave suitcase.

"Oh, there aren't any outfits in there, that's just all my accessories! Do you think it's that easy to look as good as I do on a daily basis Forman?"

"I'm just saying that you probably don't need the entire contents of the health and beauty aisle at the drugstore to look good, that's all." Did I just say that aloud? Upon registering what he just said, a slight blush appeared on his face.

Jackie looked taken aback for a moment. "Eric Forman! That might have been the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Are you okay?"

"I'm not sure. Can I just call you the spawn of satan so we can move on and hit the road?"

"I'll let that slide just this once, geek boy. If you call me that again, I'll show your old yearbook pictures on our next show!"

"Fine, whatever. Let's just hit the road." Eric replied opening the passenger door to the Vista Cruiser and motioned for her to hop in.

Jackie responded with a small smile and said "Thank you" to the chivalrous gesture.

Eric went around the other side and hopped into the driver's seat and started the engine. He looked towards his television cohort and asked. "Are you ready to do this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be! You?"

"Same here. Let's do this!" He went to put the car into reverse but he was interrupted immediately.

"Eric, wait?"

He looked alarmingly over at his passenger. "What- what is it?"

"Well, I was just thinking why don't we get a shot of us about to leave that we can use as an intro on the show?"

"Good thinking. That's why you're the producer I guess. Now the camera's right here..."

"Um, Eric? I don't see a camera."

"Oops, it must still be in the basement. I guess I just forgot...Ow!" he responded as the brunette's hand swiped across the top of his head.

"You dumbass! You were about to leave without the camera! I enjoyed Steven's last stash too last night but I never would have let you have it if I thought you'd do something this idiotic! Go get it, now!"

Eric didn't like the glare he was receiving at the moment. Defeated, he just said "Yes ma'am." He then hopped out of the car and sprinted into the house.

A few minutes later...

Eric returned to the drive way, camera in hand and handed it through the passenger window to Jackie. What he didn't expect was a car coming up his was a frantic looking Kitty jumping out of it immediately. Eric gulped.

"Just what is the meaning of this? Why are there suitcases in your car? What are you doing Eric? Too many of you have left me already, I can't handle any more of this!" Tears were starting to form in her eyes during this rant.

Jackie immediately jumped out of the car and she greeted Eric with a scowl. "You mean you were just going to up and leave without telling her! Boy, you're batting a thousand at being a dumbass this morning, Eric!" Jackie opened her arm to Kitty, who accepted the comforting gesture, and started with her towards the house. "C'mon Ms Forman. We're going to go inside this house, and make the best breakfast ever assembled. Not that this dumbass deserves it, but it's the best thing I can think of right now."

"Why thank you Jackie! That's the most considerate thing I've had someone do for me in days." Kitty replied between small sobs.

Eric could only hang his head in shame and follow the pair of women into the house.

In the Forman Kitchen...

Red Forman was sitting at the kitchen table when his sip of morning coffee was interrupted by his sobbing wife and an upset looking Jackie Burkhart trying to console her. He flahsed an angry eye towards his son trailing behind. "Didn't I tell you to get out of here early! now look what you've done! You've upset your mother!"

Upon hearing this new revelation, Kitty turned to speak to her husband. "You knew about this too? And you supported this! Red Forman why I ought to..."

Eric interrupted the thought. "Look, mom. Don't blame him on this one. I was the one that took his advice only because we knew what type of week you've had and we thought you'd react the way you are right now."

Apparently this didn't settle anything as Kitty piped up again. "He was trying to follow YOUR advice! I don't even have the words!"

Red then turned towards Eric, shaking his hand. "Thanks a lot dumbass! Every time you try to make things better, you just make them worse, and another thing..."

"ENOUGH!"

The entire Forman clan turned to see the source of the interruption, Jackie, standing there with a single tear running down her face. "I can't take this anymore! I don't even care why everyone's fighting, I just know that I can't stand to see you guys like this! All of you know how things are from my family. Dad gets busted and goes to jail, and mom can't even bother to stick around to see me through high school. You guys are the family I have looked to when mine wasn't there. Mr and Mrs Forman, you have been so supportive like I was one of your own. that means a lot to me and I can't bear to see the three of you acting like my parents. So do you all think we can put all your differences aside so we can cook a good breakfast, please?"

The Forman family just looked at each other, looking shameful before Kitty was the one enveloping Jackie into a hug and spoke. "Of course we can do that sweetheart. Can't we boys?"

Red and Eric gave nods of approval, with both pars of eyes giving apologetic looks towards the hugging women. "That sounds great Kitty." was Red's reply.

With all that said, Red started reading his morning paper and Eric helped the women gather supplies to cook breakfast.

An hour later...

Breakfast was a big success, as everyone seemed to enjoy the homemade waffles and fruit salad, along with the company. Conversation topics ranged from Eric's work being done on Jackie's show, all the way to Kelso single handedly being responsible for keeping Kitty's job at the hospital secure. Kitty then made care packages with cookies and sandwiches inside for the pair to deliver to Donna and Hyde when they found them on their trip.

Kitty was getting done hugging Eric and Jackie when she spoke. "Promise me we'll do this again when you get back?"

Jackie smiled. "I promise. I'll even get Fez to tear himself away from his black book for a night. We'll have dinner!"

"What sounds wonderful dear. I'll start writing a list of stuff I can pick up from the store!" Kitty then sat at the kitchen counter and excitedly started jotting things down.

It was Red's turn to speak, directing his words at Jackie. "Remember loud mouth, if you catch this one (nodding at Eric) doing something dumb, be sure to get it on camera for me!"

Jackie laughed. "I promise, I will." she then went to hug Red as he rolled his eyes at the gesture.

Red then looked at Eric. "Take care of each other dumbass!"

Eric nodded in understanding. "We will." With all goodbyes out of the way, they exited the house and made their way towards the Vista Cruiser.

Inside the car...

Eric was looking at Jackie with small smile on his face. "What is it Forman? You're starting to creep me out here."

"I can't thank you enough for what you just did in there. It's about the first time since Hyde left that I really think that my mom's going to be okay."

Jackie just waved him off. "It was nothing Eric. I know you were talking about it last night, but I had no idea how hard they both were taking things."

Eric gave a light laugh. "C'mon Jackie! you know how long Red's been waiting for..."

"Eric!" Jackie gave him a stern look. "You know better. He just expresses himself differently than the rest of us."

Eric just sighed. "I suppose you're right. How is it you know all this?"

"Easy. Jackie Magic."

Eric shook his head. " I never believed in that before but I guess now's a good time to start."

Jackie awarded him with a heart melting smile and squeezed his hand. She then sighed. "Now that we have one issue dealt with I suppose its time to deal with the other one."

"You're right. Besides, we have a show to do. Next stop, Madison!" With that said, Eric started the Vista Cruiser, backed out of the driveway and hit the road.