Chapter 10 – A Rock and A Hard Place

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Jackie felt like a giant standing in the auditorium of the elementary school. Plywood cut outs of trees and bushes were leaning against walls, rolls of fabric were nestled in groups by colors while cans of paint and brushes were strewn on some tarp. She could hear hammering off in the distance but the auditorium seemed empty.

"Hello?" Her voice echoed slightly.

A staccato reverberation of heels had Jackie turning around in the direction of stage left. A tall blonde haired woman came stumbling out of the curtains exclaiming, "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it's you!"

Jackie squinted into the shadow of the curtains, "It's me. Who are you?"

A smartly dressed Rhonda Tate revealed herself. "Remember me?"

Jackie was struck at how lovely Big Rhonda had grown to be. "Yes! What a long time it's been. You are a teacher here?"

She grinned, "Shucks, you guessed. Eric Forman told me he was bringing an old friend to help with the Christmas show and I doubted him."

Jackie smiled, "Well, you know what they say about doubters."

Tucking a loose strand back into her hairclip, Rhonda frowned, "No. I don't. What do they say?"

Jackie shrugged, "I don't know. You're the teacher – they must say something!"

Rhonda laughed, "Oh yeah….there's that term of Doubting Thomas – must come from that. Anyhow, let's start painting some shrubbery!"

Jackie looked around at the empty stage, "I thought Eric was supposed to be here."

Rhonda began pulling the heavy tarp towards the middle of the stage, "Oh he's here. Mr. Forman decided to tell the carpenters the best way to cut out a camel. Apparently, they forgot about the humps and looked more like horses."

Jackie smiled – that sounded like something Eric would do. "Well, point me in the direction of a tree and I'll start painting." With brush and the color green in hand, Jackie started working on her palm tree. Rhonda kept up a continuous and funny dialogue while the pair worked. Jackie found herself beginning to relax and just enjoying the task.

As she moved from tree to rocks, some ladies from the local PTA meandered in and tackled the fabrics. They chatted about hems, basting stitches versus a zigzag border and who would supply the doll for the baby manger. This was a different type of woman bonding event that Jackie had never been privy too. The extent of her women friends consisted of Donna, Mrs. Forman and that tacky lady that ran the second hand store around the corner from her shop.

It was nice hearing bits of gossip about people she had grown up with, who were now parents with children in the school. Jackie fancied that if she had a child, she would be head of the PTA and it would be glamorous. Except Jackie wasn't ready to be a mother just yet.

A warm hand on her shoulder jolted Jackie out of her reverie. "Hey, the trees are looking great! You did a good job."

Jackie looked up and her mouth went dry. Eric was casually dressed, as teacher would be perhaps, but to Jackie he looked like he stepped right off a magazine cover. There was a hint of a five o'clock shadow and his hair was mussed and Jackie had to admit that Eric Forman was downright attractive. But then so did some of the other women in the auditorium. There were finger waves and sing-song choruses of "Hello Mr. Forman!"

He smiled and held out a hand to help her to her feet. Jackie stood up so quickly she got light headed. "Woo….little bit woozy." She explained.

Eric brushed some wood shavings from his shirt sleeves and smiled. "Could be some of the fresh air your lungs aren't used to."

"Funny. NOT!" Jackie grumbled. Why did he make her think of nicotine just now? "Great, now I want a cigarette."

Grinning, Eric held fast to her hand and led her off the stage and onto the auditorium floor. "I needed a reason to get out of here." He confessed. "It's getting really crowded…..if you know what I mean."

That was when Jackie remembered his aversion to groups of people. He wasn't intentionally trying to get her to smoke – he was looking for an escape. "Well, I could use a cup of coffee."

"Perfect." He replied. "I'll meet you at Corrina's?"

"Sure." Jackie answered. "Let me say goodbye to Rhonda first." She watched Eric walk off and then watched the ten pair of female eyes that also followed his retreating form to the door. Lascivious women who already had a man at home. Jackie felt like she had to protect her friend from those prying eyes. "HEY! Back to work!" Satisfied that her 'work' was done, Jackie slipped between the auditorium seats and over to where Rhonda was hanging large paper plate 'snowflakes'.

"Hey, I had fun." Rhonda admitted. "You coming back for the show?"

"When is it?"

Rhonda counted on her fingers and then smiled, "Next Friday at 2:00. The third graders are going on stage at 2:30 so if you want to see Eric's class sing….come by, I'll let you in the side door."

Jackie pulled on her jacket, "Sounds like fun. I'll see if I can get someone to cover my store." She waved goodbye and ran for her car. It was just starting to snow and she didn't want to have to speed drive to get to the café.

She did have fun.

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Jackie pulled into the parking lot and after entering the café, found someone else seated with Eric at the table. Unkempt brown hair was hanging over the collar of a dark blue jacket. She walked over to the chair and exclaimed, "Michael! What are you doing here? Where's Betsy?"

Kelso looked up, "Jackie? What are YOU doing here?"

Eric sighed, "Don't ask. It will just get more confusing." Jackie frowned and sat down opposite Michael. "So?"

He scrubbed his face. "I can't do this. Working nights is stressing me out. I can't sleep during the day and then trying to get Betsy ready for school….it's killing me man."

Jackie signaled for the waitress. "What's killing you Michael?" she asked in a softer tone.

"I'm going to let Betsy live with Brooke's mom for a while." Kelso confessed.

Both Jackie and Eric burst out with a "WHAT?!"

Startled, Kelso sat up. "I mean, it's the only smart thing. I can't take care of her! She needs more than I got."

Eric looked at Jackie who nodded her encouragement for him to speak. "Kelso. Betsy has been through a lot. She's come to depend on you, her father and it's working. You can't just drop her off with a random grandmother because you're tired. You are a parent and you just have to suck it up."

Kelso moaned. "I don't wanna! It's not fun and I never get a break and…."

Jackie continued for him, "…and you're over 25 which is squarely an adult. Snap out of it!"

Eric smiled his thanks. Jackie continued, "Betsy is not a toy that you can just put in a corner. She's a little person with ideas and plans and lots of love and she needs lots of love – from her dad. Be her father. Change jobs if you have to, because if you give up your daughter….I don't think you'll ever get her back."

Kelso wiped his face. "I hear what you're saying….but…."

Eric leaned across the table and grabbed Kelso's forearm. "There are no buts. That's your little girl and she hurting. She's already lost her mom – what do you think it will do to her if she loses her dad because he didn't think he was good enough? Kelso, you are better than this."

"Can I just order my sandwich and go? Please?" Kelso almost begged.

Eric blew out an exhausted breath, "Sure, but think about what you are doing. This isn't about you nailing some chick at a Molly Hatchett concert dude, this is life. Your life and Betsy's. Do the dad thing."

Kelso nodded. "Yeah – I'll think about it." He pushed out his chair and made his way to the order counter. Meanwhile, Eric turned to Jackie who was sitting right beside him – he almost tried to put some distance in between them, but he was working on his own demons and let the situation be.

"If he gives Shorty back to Brooke's mom, Betsy will hate him forever." Eric spoke so Kelso couldn't hear him.

She watched the counter until Michael had left with his order in a paper bag. Jackie agreed, "I remember my dad going to jail and my mom leaving for Mexico – nothing like abandonment to add to the woes of the growing up years."

"Kelso can really be a dumbass." Eric commented. "That was a really selfish idea of his and stupid."

Jackie nodded in agreement. "I actually thought he was handling this fine….well, until tonight."

The waitress finally came over with two cups of hot coffee and an apology. "I could see an intense conversation – I didn't want to interrupt." She left just as quickly. Jackie looked at Eric, "You need to leave the waitress a really big tip."

"What?"

Jackie smiled, but there was a mischievous hint about it. "You invited this when you wanted to meet at the coffee shop. Besides, how did Michael know you were here?"

"He was getting ready to order a sandwich when I walked in and roped me into a 'small' conversation which you could tell, was not so little." Eric answered.

Jackie shook her head sadly, "It would be such a big step backwards to give Betsy to her grandmother."

"And the wrong thing to do." Eric echoed. The little girl still had some healing to do and that would take time. Eric knew because he was still trying to get over his own personal grieving. For Kelso to even think about deserting his own flesh and blood when she needed her father the most – it was heinous – Eric didn't think he could be a friend to someone like that. He looked at Jackie and spoke in the most serious tone, "If Kelso continues to pursue his plan of dumping Betsy, I'm gonna…."

Jackie looked up expectantly, "Eric, there's nothing you can do. Legally, it's Michael's call. As much as I don't like it, and I'm her Godmother, he has to make the right decision."

He crossed his arms, "I can call Child Services. They'll take the best interests of Betsy and put her in a home where she can be cared for. Kelso is acting like he's still a teenager and accepts none of the responsibilities of being an adult. Shorty deserves more."

Jackie touched his hand, "Child Services Eric? They will take her and put her in some communal living home with a bunch of other kids – I don't know how they do this in Africa, but please don't call anybody. There's got to be another way."

Eric had to admit that calling on the authorities to fix Betsy's problem was probably not one of his best ideas. He adored the little girl and didn't want to see her moved to Chicago and grow up fatherless. "If worst comes to worst, I'd consider being her foster father."

Jackie didn't know exactly why, but her heart swelled with something like love at Eric's confession. A single guy with no blood relations to an adorable six-year-old who would consider fostering someone else's child – how freaking sweet was that! The fact that he came back from Africa totally good-looking was a bonus as well. Then Eric looked at her and his voice was husky as he asked, "Is that such a crazy idea?"

Her heart started to pound and were his eyes green or hazel and did Eric always have such long eyelashes? When he slowly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Jackie melted. His fingertips trailed over her face like he was memorizing her. Oh my god, she was going to faint.

"Do you think?" Eric asked. He was questioning his motives at confessing to Jackie Burkhart. In all the time he had been home, she had been the person he'd had the most and longest conversations with. It wasn't difficult like he had imagined coming home would be – Jackie was actually a good friend! The fact that she was beautiful to look at was a bonus as well.

Jackie swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

He smiled, "Fostering Betsy. Do you think that would be an option? I mean my mom would be glad to help and I could have Shorty transferred to my school – you could come over, as her Godmother and she wouldn't be alone."

Jackie took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This whole coffee thing was throwing her off kilter. "Okay, yes – it's a good idea, but….let Michael think about what he needs to do first. We can't go taking Betsy away because he's suggesting farming her out to grandma – all it is at the moment, is talk. And…and think about yourself – you're still working out….issues."

Eric smiled, happy that Jackie was still aware that he was trying to adjust as well. "I'm glad we had coffee the other day."

Jackie felt a wee bit bashful. "Me too. I think you're interesting."

Eric was a little startled at that concession. "I think you're not the same girl I remember."

"God, I hope not!" Jackie exclaimed. "It took some time and some painful embarrassments, but I am strong. Hear me roar."

Eric laughed. "Since I've come back, you are the most fun I've had."

She laughed a bit nervously, "Well, wait until you really get to know me."

He winked, "I'm looking forward to it."

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Jackie tossed and turned in her bed. The soft covers felt unusually warm and she kicked them off. Opening her eyes, she could see the nightlight that glowed from the open bathroom door. The apartment was quiet as she padded over to the window. It was still snowing. The bare limbs of the trees were iced over and the room of her car was covering in the white stuff. It was beautiful.

She looked at the clock at found that it was an hour earlier than her alarm was to go off, so Jackie simply started a pot of coffee. As a lover of sleep, why was Jackie Burkhart waking so early? Could it be that yesterday's coffee date was memorable? Could it be that maybe Eric Forman was just as interesting to talk to as he was to look at?

Could it be that she was worried about little Betsy Kelso too? Michael could be such an idiot some times. He was bonding with his daughter and now wanted to call a time out because he didn't want to be a dad for a while. A girl needed her father and how could Michael not understand that?

Damn, she wanted a cigarette. There was a lighter on the coffee table but no smokes. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, Jackie reminded herself it was all in her head. Sure, but that didn't stop her desire to make a quick trip to the gas station to pick up a pack!

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Eric watched as Betsy clumsily poured Smackeroos into her cereal bowl creating a mess that made his mother cringe just a tiny bit. "I get the milk." Betsy stated sternly.

Kitty carried over a glass of milk and held a dishtowel at ready. Carefully with a bit of pink tongue sticking between her lips, Betsy handled the glass much more cautiously as she poured the milk over her cereal. Eric could see his mother breathe a sigh of relief.

Betsy held her spoon at ready and Eric realized she was waiting for him to get his own breakfast. "Oh no Shorty, I'm just having toast."

"I'm having toast." Betsy declared.

Eric shook his head and lifted the box of Smackeroos. "This is a growing up cereal. Me? I'm all grown up so I only need toast. You are short – you need to eat lots of growing up cereal."

Betsy took that as gospel and held her bowl up, looking at Kitty she asked sweetly, "More please?"

Eric grinned, "That's a girl. Pretty soon you won't be short anymore."

She smiled back, "….and maybe you won't be stuffy too!"

The small back and forth banter was interrupted by a freezing cold Michael Kelso coming in from the driveway. "It's snowing out there!"

Kitty indicated Michael should have a seat, "I have nice cup of hot cocoa to warm you up." He smiled and clucked Betsy under the tongue. "Thanks Mrs. Forman. I…I uh….I gotta talk to you about something…..it's kinda important. Can I drop Betsy off a little early today?"

Kitty smiled, "Certainly. They aren't changing your schedule again are they?"

Kelso gave Eric a fleeting glance that reflected alarm but to Kitty he replied, "Nope. The job is just fine." He sipped the cocoa, burned his tongue and laughed. "A cocoa burn! Good one!" Setting the cup down, Kelso stood up. "Okay Bets….let's head off for school."

"Daddy, I'm not done with breakfast!"

"Well, Daddy had a long night and needs some sleep so I gotta get you to school!" Kelso explained.

Betsy sighed. She finished her last Smackeroo and drank the sweetened milk from the bowl. "I gotta brush my teeth. I have a loose one."

"Yeah, okay." Kelso answered.

Kitty sat down. "You want to talk now rather than later?"

Eric leaned in, "You do seem awfully tense."

Kelso did indeed seem to be bothered by something, however he didn't want to talk about the topic at that particular moment. "Yeah…uh…it can wait. I gotta get Betsy to school."

Betsy came back from the hallway bathroom with a big smile as she tugged on her loose tooth. She looked at Kitty. "Will the tooth fairy know how to find me?"

Kitty kissed the top of the little chestnut head, "Of course she will. When that tooth comes out, you put it under your pillow and the next morning she'll leave you a quarter. Grandma Kitty will take you to the store later sweetie." Kitty looked at Kelso to make sure he understood about the tooth fairy.

He was clueless.

Kitty shook her head sadly and walked into the living room. Eric sighed, "Kelso….you do need some help man. Tooth fairy….and remember, Santa Claus is coming too!"

Kelso scrubbed his face, "Dude, I got way bigger problems than that." He turned to his daughter, "Let's go Betsy, can't be late!"

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