Author Note: ….money changes everything…short chapter moving the story along….
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Chapter 09 – What Was Your Name?
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Eric never made it out of the house that weekend. Reporters were camped out on the sidewalk waiting for an exclusive interview with the famous Point Place winner. Red was pissed because he couldn't get out of the driveway and Kitty kept sending homemade muffins out to the crowd.
When Monday rolled around, Eric got up earlier than usual, dressed for work and managed to sneak out through the old Pinciotti backyard and caught a cab to Price Mart. He figured after work, he would meet up with his dad's accountant to talk about investments and possibly looking into the search for his new store.
The electronic doors swung open and Eric walked into a crowd of applause. Sam, his assistant manager, came over and laid an arm on his shoulder and walked with him to the back of the store.
"Forman, after seeing your face spread all over my newspaper, I'm surprised that you even bothered showing up for work. Do you know how much revenue we're going to generate when the public finds out you work in Electronics? Why, they're just going to want to shake your lucky hand!"
Eric hadn't taken that into consideration. He was going to be swamped today! "Uh…yeah, Sam…I kind of need to leave a little early. There's some banking information I have to take care of."
Sam smiled a perfectly white toothed smile. "Forman, take what you need. Just having you here is great advertising." He mock punched Eric in the shoulder, "Just make sure you come back tomorrow!"
Eric gritted his teeth. "Sure boss…I'll be here tomorrow."
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Eric suffered through the next few weeks. After a while, the novelty of his being a big winner was starting to wear off and he could finally breathe. The customers that came to his department actually wanted to buy something and not touch the lucky charm on his work apron or shake his hand. He managed to accrue seven phone numbers from some attractive women, but he knew they were only interested in the contents of his wallet.
His dad's accountant, Wesley, helped Eric make some very wise investment decisions and would assist in locating a building to restart his store. Wesley's only piece of advice was, "Don't quit your day job. You need to keep paying those taxes to offset your winnings. You need health insurance and something to keep you busy. Later, you can forfeit the rest when you get your business off the ground."
Eric decided that was sound advice and showed up for work everyday like a good little soldier. He dutifully collected his paycheck and gave half to his parents. He knew they were having financial difficulties and didn't want to add to the problem. Red didn't make a big deal about the "rent" but Eric could tell it meant a lot to his dad. His mom always greeted him home with a big smile.
Eric felt good that by paying rent, his mom was able to work less hours at the hospital. She was an excellent nurse but she really wanted was to spend time at home cooking and if Eric could help her do that – he would be the good son.
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Finally, Friday rolled around and Eric pulled into the driveway to see a small compact car parked in his spot. He didn't think much of it as usually his mom had ladies over for Bridge. He pulled off his work apron and hung it from the coat rack and then the smell hit him. Pamela Burkhart was in the living room!
He pushed open the swinging door to find his dad mixing a Tequila Sunrise and smiling at the newly brunette colored haired older woman. Red was under the suntan spell. "Oh Red, sweetie…you mix a drink like I like my men. Shaken…not stirred."
Eric almost groaned but his dad was grinning. Kitty came down the stairs to see her husband was ensnared in Pamela's trap again. "Pam, I thought you said you were leaving."
Pam turned and her eyes lit on Eric. She smiled and showed her perfectly capped teeth. In her soft drawl, she purred, "Oh…there's my man - Mr. Lucky!" Pam walked over and stopped in front of Eric, her breasts nearly grazing his chest. Eric looked down and gulped. She was NOT wearing a bra! She brushed his ear with her teeth as she whispered, "How would you like to get lucky tonight?"
Shaken, Eric stepped back. This was Jackie's mother! He couldn't sleep with a friend's mom! Plus, she was almost as old as his parents – that was wrong on so many levels! "Um…Mrs. Burkhart, I'm kind of busy right now." He stepped around her and over to the stairs.
Red was still mesmerized as Pamela bounced over to the bar. Yep, no bra and Red Forman was a goner.
Kitty intercepted the brunette and pushed her back. "Pam, I don't want to be rude, but Jackie's not here, Eric's busy and you need to leave. Aren't you staying at the….Marriott?"
Pam frowned, "No, I ran out of money. I'm staying at the Meridian - a lesser quality hotel but nearby. Now I'm even closer so I can be here when my baby girl comes by." Pam opened her purse and took out an atomizer and sprayed her special scent into the cleavage of her blouse. Eric and Red's eyeballs bugged out at the display.
"Oh for heaven's sake! Eric…go take your father upstairs and dump him in the shower. Mrs. Burkhart has to leave." Kitty was going to say more but there was a knock on the front door. She exhaled in frustration, "What now?"
Pam moved to sit on the sofa and patted the cushion beside her. Red looked at Kitty as she went to open the door and he casually sauntered over and sat next to the beautiful woman.
Kitty opened the door to find a young woman with a tight cap of raven hair and six earrings in one ear. "Hi. Does Eric Forman live here?"
Mother's radar shot out of Kitty's head. "Yes he does. Why?" The young woman pulled a picture out of her purse and handed it to Kitty. "My name is Tulia and this was me and Eric at the comic expo last December."
Kitty looked at the picture of her son dressed as Luke Skywalker and Tulia dressed as a green alien. According to the picture, Tulia and Eric obviously knew each other.
"So can I come in?" Tulia asked politely. Kitty hated that Pam Burkhart hadn't left but manners were manners. Eric stood up – he recognized the tall girl but what was her name? Where did he remember her from?
"Eric!" She said excitedly and ran across the room. "It's me Tulia. We had that wild night at the comic expo last year….remember?" Eric did remember the expo and dressing like Luke Skywalker – not one of his proudest moments as a 30 year old man.
"Sure I remember." He confirmed.
Tulia smiled, "Good… because I came all the way from Indiana to tell you. I'm pregnant!" She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her belly. "We're gonna have a baby!"
Red fainted. Pam dropped her drink. Kitty vomited in the potted plant.
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