A Point Place Production

Chapter 11

Eric today was the first time I have really realized and appreciated all that you have done for me. For that, I say thank you. (She then blew a kiss into the camera.) On the road, I'm Jackie Burkhart.

The focus shifted back to Jackie sitting at the news desk. "Next week On the Road, we have the story of a scrawny slacker who must pass gym class in order to graduate high school. Take it from me; you don't want to miss that one. Until next week Point Place, this has been Jackie Burkhart with all the news you need to know."

Fez instructed from his position behind the camera. "And…we're clear."

Jackie had a long sigh of relief that another successful broadcast was in the books. She noticed her skinny friend/business partner and a trace of a tear in his eye. She got up close and examined it. "Is that a tear?" she teased. "You mean something I said actually made Eric Forman weepy?"

Eric straightened up quickly "No way, woman! Your words have no effect on me. I'm a man!" he demanded.

Jackie laughed and started to poke him in the side. "Yeah, a very….skinny…twitchy…did I mention ticklish…almost man?"

Eric was trying so escape the pokes as they rapidly came. "Hey…cut that out." He said as he laughed as he wasn't successful dodging everything she threw at him.

As that display was going on, Fez finished his work with the camera and took notice. "Will the two of you stop it already? All these years we all wanted the two of you to get along. Now that you are I'm really beginning to rethink this whole thing!"

Eric smirked. "Uh, oh Jackie. I think our friend Fez is feeling left out and needs a little something from us!" he proclaimed with a sing-song tone.

Jackie nodded in agreement. "What does he need Eric?"

Eric outstretched his arms and started at his foreign friend. "Fezzie needs a hug!"

Jackie ran simultaneously to the other side of him as they met at him on opposite sides as they both enveloped him in a hug and said "Awwwww!"

Fez was starting to feel a bit smothered. "Aiiy! Get off me! You two are borderline psychotic!" he snapped while finally freeing himself from their grasp. "That's it! I'm really starting to regret showing you that tape Jackie!"

Eric moved his attention to Fez. "But then you wouldn't have the pass to Funland I got you as a reward. Remember, all those rides and cotton candy!"

Fez lit up at the thought. "I see the day this happens, and it is glorious!"

Jackie then spoke, petting her arm around Fez. "But for right now, how about you let Eric drop you back off at the beauty shop."

Fez shook his head and started swiftly towards the exit. "And spend another minute in a confined space with the two of you? I'd much rather walk thank you! Good day!"

Eric called out. "But Fez, we were…"

"I said good day!" With that, Fez was gone.

The two remaining at the station shared a laugh. "Well, that was interesting." Jackie thought aloud.

Eric sighed. "Well, this is just the beginning. Graduation is in two days and you know who shows up then."

Jackie also let out a sigh. "Yeah, but the day had to come sooner or later, you know? Besides, I feel I'm kind of ready to talk to Steven, you know?"

Eric nodded. "Yeah, I think I'm getting there with Donna as well. It's too bad we don't have any work to do between now and then. It helped take my mind off all that."

"Yeah, that makes me kind of sad too. We do have graduation rehearsal tomorrow."

"Yeah, I finally get to show up for the actual ceremony. To think we all missed it last year because Fez ran off and married my sister of all people!"

"That was definitely one for the Twilight Zone! So are we doing The Hub on the way home?"

Eric confirmed the plans. "Yeah, just to keep busy for a while longer. I feel bad though, I was going to buy Fez a soda for putting up with us and being a good boy."

Jackie had a long laugh at this one. "It's okay. We'll stop by the beauty shop later. For now, let's go." Eric followed her out of the studio.

A day and a half later…

Eric woke up and looked over at the clock as it read 10 AM. It wasn't like his parents to let him sleep this late but this was ordinary day. He figured they were happy that he was in his bed on his graduation morning as opposed to last year's debacle. Besides, his mom was so excited that almost everyone was going to be home for the weekend that she spent the entire day cooking and baking so there would be enough food for everyone. Kelso was going to show up a couple days later as he was busy in Chicago bonding with Betsy. It was probably the right place for him to be after Angie dumped him and the failed "Slut or Not" idea. He only saw Jackie briefly at the rehearsal as she was spending a little time at home since her mom was around. Besides, it gave the both of them a little time to think.

Eric got out of bed and quickly spruced up and got dressed. Graduation wasn't until 4 so he had plenty of time to hang out until then. He made his way down stairs and into the kitchen.

He reached for the coffee and he started pouring himself a cup when he heard a voice coming from the kitchen table. "Wow. You're actually looking pretty sharp for a two time graduate!"

Eric looked up and she was there. "Oh…hi… Donna. Um…I'm actually really glad to see you."

Donna smiled back at him from the table. "Yeah…same here."

"So where's Hyde?"

"Oh. He dropped me here and went to go find Jackie. Your mom forced Red to take her shopping for more groceries. She said I could wait for you so here I am."

Eric processed what was said and had a thought. "Well, if we're going to have some big talk, you know there's only one place to do it." Donna nodded in understanding and stood up to follow Eric out the door.

A minute later, they were both sitting atop the Vista Cruiser. "Ahh. This feels much more appropriate." Eric said with a sad smile.

Donna took a deep sigh. "I don't even know where to start Eric. I'm so sorry that I had to skip town on you like that. As far as the funding went for school it was pretty now or never. So I didn't really have a choice in the matter."

Eric nodded. "I get it, Donna. These last few weeks have made me realize that a lot of things are going to be changing for everybody, and really fast too. I know I never saw any of them coming, but that's the way life is I suppose. The one thing I do know about my life is that you were pretty much my first everything. My first love, my first…well, you know, and even my first fiancé. The point is, I can't picture my life without you in it in some capacity."

A silent tear streaked down Donna's face. "You know I feel the same way right? Believe it or not, I've really missed you over the past couple of weeks. I've missed everyone, really. But even though we're headed in separate directions, it doesn't mean that there's a second where you won't be an important part of my life. Our childhoods are so connected and I realize that that will stay with me, no matter where either of us winds up."

Eric gave her a strange look. "Um…does this mean we're actually growing up?"

Donna laughed. "Sad, but true, I think it does. So are we okay? Friends?"

"Forever." Eric confirmed as they kissed each other on the cheek.

Eric took a deep breath and spoke. "So does this mean that I can ask about you living with Hyde now?"

Donna laughed. "Relax, you dill hole. The house has four bedrooms so you and everyone else can get your minds out of the gutter. It's just much easier than living in those crammed dorms, you know?"

"Yeah, well after I thought about it rationally I figured that was the case. If W.B. bought it I figured it was probably pretty spacious, you know?"

Donna smiled. "More spacious than a cabin just outside of Milwaukee with a loud midget, perhaps?"

Eric chuckled. "Oh, you heard about that, huh? I have to say, the couch is rather comfortable to sleep on."

"So I guess it's my turn to ask the question I've been thinking about. What's going on with you and Jackie?"

"Nothing. It's strictly a working relationship, that's all."

"Are you sure? Because I've been hearing that…"

Eric waved her off "Donna, really. It's nothing."

"Eric. It's okay if…"

He cut her off shaking his head again. "Donna, it's just a business arrangement. It's not like it's going to last much longer with us graduating and all."

Donna opened her mouth to speak again, but just then Red and Kitty pulled up with a car full of groceries. The door opened and Red spoke up. "Just because it's your graduation day doesn't mean you don't have to help your mother. Oh, good you're here too Donna! You can help with the heavy stuff!" he ordered as he made his way inside.

Kitty was so excited to have the company. "Come inside Donna and help me bake these graduation cookies! That way you can tell us all about this new school of yours." Eric and Donna then got the remaining groceries and proceeded into the house.

Meanwhile…

Jackie took her cap and gown to the television station with her while working on notes for the following week's broadcast, as it seemed to be the only thing to take her mind off of all that was going to happen this weekend. Just as she completed her thought, she heard the station door open. "Eric, I thought I told you yesterday that I need to be…

"It's not Eric." She looked up to see Hyde standing in the middle of the room.

"Steven!" she cried as she ran to embrace him.

After a moment, Hyde motioned for them to sit on the desk. "So are you ready to talk now?"

"Yeah, I'm ready."

Hyde continued. "Okay, here it goes. You have to understand Jackie that I had no idea about the store in Milwaukee until the day I moved and W.B. sprung the news on me. I got home and Red was all too eager to help me pack."

Jackie replied. "You know that they've all missed you like crazy over the past couple of weeks. No matter if you're reunited with your dad or not, you are their second son."

Hyde nodded. "I know. Anyway, I did do some thinking about us over the past couple of weeks. The entire reason we broke it off a couple of months ago was that I couldn't promise you that there was a chance that we'd be married someday soon. Now if you asked me that same question five years from now, maybe my answer would be different. But I'm just getting my own store right now and W.B. needs me. You'll always be special to me but the timing just isn't right at the moment."

Jackie sniffled a bit as she tried holding tears back. "I realize that now Steven. I'm just now discovering something that I'm talented at. If I keep going with this, who knows how far I can go, you know? The past couple weeks have made me see pretty much everyone in the group is going through the same thing." She took a deep sigh before continuing. "Michael may have been my first love, but you were my first mature relationship, Steven. I know I wouldn't have the courage to do what I'm doing now if it wasn't for you. So for that, I want to say thank you." She leaned over and slowly kissed his cheek. After which she looked at him with a smile and silent tears streaming down her cheeks. "Besides, you'll always be my puddin' pop." She declared.

Hyde looked around and put his finger in front of his mouth. "Ssshhh! Quiet down with that Jackie, we're still in a public building! Anyone could walk in and hear that, you know? I guess the only have left to say is that even though you will sometimes annoy me to no end; there will never be a time where I won't be looking out for you."

Jackie grabbed his hand. "I appreciate that Steven."

After a moment, Hyde let go and asked another question. "So how's it been going with Forman?"

Jackie smiled. "Oh, he's just Eric, same skinny, twitchy Eric. We work well together but business is business, you know?"

"So how was W.B.'s cabin?"

"It was great scenery with the lake and all but Eric is such a loud snorer, I could hear him even with the door closed to the bedroom."

Hyde agreed. "Tell me about it. Try two floors down, through the vents!"

Jackie laughed. "So what's it like living with a lumberjack anyway? Are there some woods surrounding the lake so she can cut down some trees when she gets home from school?"

"I don't know about that but I do know that Kelso was bugging me to install a secret camera in her room."

"That's no surprise! So…you're in different rooms."

Hyde shrugged. "Of course we are! Although given the opportunity…" he was interrupted by Jackie whacking him on the arm. "It's just nice to have a familiar face there at the end of the day, you know?"

Jackie grinned. "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Hyde then stood up. "So, do you need a ride to this graduation thing or what?"

"I thought you'd never ask." She replied, accepting Hyde's help up and grabbing her cap and gown on their way to the El Camino.

An hour later…

There was a good sized cheering section on the bleachers as Red, Kitty, Pam Burkhart, Bob, Donna, Hyde, and Fez all shared a row as the graduated all sent up go receive their diplomas. At the right time, their names boomed over the PA system: Jacqueline Beulah Burkhart! Also, a couple of minutes later, Eric Albert Forman! Kitty was a wreck as she was finally able to witness her son getting his diploma this year.

An hour after that…

The graduates said goodbyes to their families and friends as a brief party was thrown by the school for the class after the ceremony. Eric was looking for anyone he knew since this was never really his class as someone tapped his shoulder.

He turned around to see Jackie grinning ear to ear. "Hey."

"Hey yourself."

"Long time, no talk, huh?"

Eric rolled his eyes. "Really, Jackie? It's barely been twenty-four hours!"

She just shrugged it off. "So…how was your day?"

He shrugged back. "All right. Yours?"

"Okay, I guess. I mean, we did just graduate." She remarked.

"Yeah, we did. Didn't we?" they shared a smile.

Just then, the DJ started playing Parliament's We Want the Funk.

Jackie screamed, nearly knocking Eric over in the process. She took his hand and led him towards where everyone was dancing in the middle of the field. "C'mon Eric, we're dancing!"

"No I'm not!"

"Yes, you are"

"No I'm not!"

"Yes, you are."

"No I'm…oh, fine." she laughed in victory and he sighed in defeat as they started dancing.

Meanwhile, in the parking lot…

Donna and Hyde stood in front of the El Camino as they watched Jackie lead Eric to the middle of the field. As they began dancing Hyde turned to Donna and asked. "You think they'll be okay?"

Donna smiled in response. "Trust me. I think they'll be just fine."

Hyde gave an accepting nod. "C'mon let's go back to the Formans'. We'll meet them back there later."

With that, they got in the El Camino and drove out of the parking lot.