Chapter 35: Runaway Cat
With Kelso learning his lesson to not ever prank his friends again specially Jackie whom he secretly labeled as an evil genius the next few weeks went smooth for the gang. Well almost smooth that is. Once Fez declared that he wanted learn how to drive a car so he could get his license after pleading with Hyde for hours with the gang listening in Hyde finally cracked and agreed to teach Fez how to drive. The experience was memorable to say the least. One day after work watching nervously from the passenger's seat Hyde watched Fez get into the driver's seat of his El Camino. Just seconds after telling his driver in training to go easy on the gas Hyde watched in horror as Fez put the El Camino in reverse before pulling car into a pile of trash cans just in back of them. Even though the damage wasn't too severe and Fez immediately repaid Hyde for the damages Hyde has never let Fez live it down to this very day.
As for the others in the group Kelso learned that not only was Brooke good at playing board games but she was in his mind the master. Determined to find a game that he could beat his girlfriend at Kelso took out board game after board game from the Forman basement. With each game he played against Brooke the results remained the same. No matter the game which surprised Kelso. It could be a game that he had played a hundred of times with everyone else the results just remained the same. Brooke always won. Monopoly,Candy Land even Twister but Kelso knew he couldn't beat Brooke at that last game. Each time he would see her doing a stretch with a smile Kelso would lose his balance before falling down to the ground with a wide smile on his face. At the end of the night with everyone watching Kelso had claimed his girlfriend as the queen of board games.
For Eric and Jackie things went smoothly. Each day Jackie's sprained ankle slowly got better. In fact things things only got better for the young couple. Dispute her fake protests each day Jackie was gently helped by her boyfriend doing many things. Something that not only didn't bother Jackie one bit since she got to spend more time with her boyfriend but made her love for him even stronger. Tasks such as cooking when Mrs Forman wouldn't be home in time to make supper for everyone. Doing the laundry something that dispute Mrs Forman's protests Jackie decided to do each week as one of her choirs around the house.
But on this given mid April day as the young couple arrives back at the Forman residence from a checkup at the hospital both are unaware they were in for a rude awakening. An awakening that will weigh about 10 pounds and has been a nuisance to the Forman family for years.
Arriving back at the house with a smile on his face Eric exits out of the Vista cruiser with haste before within seconds he takes Jackie in his arms in a loving embrace. Feeling Jackie wrapping her arms around the back of his neck within seconds Eric captures Jackie's lips with his for a gentle kiss before pulling back to see a wide smile on his girlfriend's face.
" This is so awesome that the doctor gave you the all clear!"
With a bright smile forming on her face Jackie nods her head at Eric.
" I am really glad too. Even though i had gotten used to them for the last few months, I hated using those crutches. But on the bright side we did get to spend more time together."
" And the fact you liked me carrying you everywhere."
With her smile widening Jackie pecks Eric on the lips before pulling back to give Eric a nod.
" That too. I have a feeling that this is going to be a great summer this year. All we have to do is survive just 2 more months of school."
Leaning back in as Eric feels Jackie giving him another kiss within a second Eric breaks off the kiss when he hears the sliding doors open. Taking his eyes away from his smiling girlfriend's direction Eric looks over to the sliding doors to see Red approaching.
" You know son it's amazing how you always manage to pull the car right up to the garage but not ever actually in it."
" Yep it takes a keen eye and a sure foot to pull that off."
" How would you like your keen eye watch my sure foot kick your smart ass?"
" I would not."
With a grin on his face Red nods his head as he watches Eric slowly untangle himself from Jackie.
" Good answer. Now pull the car into the garage. We still have work to do."
As she watches Eric move around to the driver's side of the Vista Cruiser with a smile Jackie looks over to Red.
" Work to do Mr Forman?"
" Yeah Kitty said that she wouldn't be getting home for another hour and wanted us to start making supper."
" Oh that. You don't need to worry about that Mr Forman. Eric and I can handle that."
Hearing the roar of a engine starting in the background Red glances over to see the car slowly moving forward before he nods his head at Jackie.
" Well alright then. Thank you Jackie. So how did your…."
Seeing the car coming to a stop Red looks over to see Eric getting out of the car with haste.
" What the?"
" You were only moving it a few feet and you hit something!"
Following after Red to the front of the car suddenly Jackie stops when she sees Eric's eyes go wide when he looks down towards his left front tire. Within a few seconds Jackie makes it over to Eric before following his eyes to the tire. What she sees makes her eyes go wide and forces her look away from the scene.
" Oh god! It's Mr Bonkers!"
" Boy that is sure one dead cat."
Throughout the rest of the night Eric remained silent after the incident in the driveway along with Jackie. With both horrified about what had transpired Jackie had quickly snapped out of her shocked state after a few hours before she became concerned for her boyfriend. Although she was concerned about her boyfriend's state of mind after finding Mr Bonkers under the front tire her concern only deepened more into the night when she didn't hear Eric speak a single word. With memories of how her boyfriend reacted when his grandmother had died just years ago entering her mind for the rest of the night Jackie remained by Eric's side not leaving him for a second.
As the morning came Jackie with a small smile forming on her face for a brief few seconds listened in to her boyfriend breaking his silence. But what she heard coming from Eric only made her concern deepen for his well being. After listening in for just a few seconds of Eric calling himself and murderer and a terrible person with haste Jackie quickly argued that he was so wrong. That he isn't a terrible person. Not even in the slightest. Unlucky maybe but not terrible before arguing that what happened in the driveway was a accident. That he would never have moved the car an inch if he knew Mr Bonkers was under the front tire. After a few minutes Jackie was able to win the small argument before she lead Eric out of their bedroom down stairs.
Now finding herself next to her boyfriend's side Jackie watches Eric scrub away at where Mr Bonker's broken body was once laying. Looking down towards Eric seeing guilt riddled across his face with a small smile Jackie leans down before wrapping her arms around Eric from behind.
" Hey everything will be okay. Remember it was an accident."
Seeing Eric giving her a small nod a smile comes to Jackie's face before she leans over to give Eric a kiss on the cheek. Hearing footsteps approaching Jackie looks up to see Donna approaching them from the opening in the fence before Jackie leans down to whisper in Eric's ear.
" Let me do the talking."
Seeing Jackie and Eric with crouched down with a few cleaning supplies around them with a grin Donna approaches before stopping a few feet away.
" That's pretty good Mr Clean but you missed a spot."
" Doubt it. Even if he did miss a spot, I am sure Mr Forman won't mind. No one is perfect."
Seeing Donna taking her eyes away from her to look all around the area Jackie gives Eric a gentle squeeze with her arms when out of the corner of her eye she sees Eric's eyes go wide.
" What are you doing here anyways Donna? Shouldn't you be out somewhere blaming someone else for your problems?"
" For your information midget i'm looking for my cat. I can't seem to find him anywhere. He usually sleeps with me every night but he didn't come home last night."
" Wow i didn't know you were into those kind of things. I mean i have heard people doing strange and kinky things but that is just freaky."
" You know what i mean! So have any of you seen Mr Bonkers or not!?"
Hearing Eric take a deep breathe Donna takes her eyes away from Jackie to look towards him.
" Well have you seen Mr Bonkers?"
" No we haven't seen Mr Bonkers since last night."
" So you guys did see him last night. Where did you see him last?"
Hearing Eric go silent for the next few seconds Jackie gives Eric a gentle squeeze with her arms before looking up locking eyes with Donna.
" You know just around. At night he usually just walks around the garbage cans before returning home."
" Alright well if you see him again send him back over towards my house."
Seeing Donna retreating back towards the fence once he sees Donna out of eyesight Eric blurts out.
" I am so going to hell. And the worst part is i'm bringing you down with me."
" Eric please remember it wasn't your fault. No one could have seen this coming."
Leaning over Jackie gives Eric a quick kiss before rest her head against his.
" Besides if for some reason we were to go to hell, I already have everything planned out. We will bring the marshmellows. Brooke and Michael will bring the graham crackers. Fez and Caroline will bring Fez's stash of chocolate. See i have it all planned out."
Letting out a small laugh Eric turns his head before giving Jackie a gentle kiss.
After 10 minutes of staying outside to clean up the rest of the driveway of the evidence Eric was lead inside of the kitchen by Jackie after hearing his mother calling out to the two of them that breakfast was ready. Now as he eats his breakfast glancing over towards his father's direction Eric sees his father looking at him before he hears him letting out a small breathe.
" You didn't tell her did you?"
" No. I couldn't tell her. I just feel so guilty."
Reaching over Jackie places her right hand on top of Eric's hand before giving it a small squeeze.
" Is it because you are kinda glad that it's dead?"
Laurie watches Eric and Jackie turn in her direction before each give her a disturbed look.
" What? None of us liked Mr Bonkers. Even daddy didn't like that cat. That cat would make so much noise at night digging through the garbage cans. The only reason why he started to stop was because daddy started to spray him with the hose anytime he approached the garbage cans."
" Ah good memories. But you should really tell Donna what happened son. Better to get it over with now then stretch it out and be caught later on in a lie."
" Maybe he doesn't have to tell her.
Eric takes his eyes away from his father to look over towards Jackie.
" What do you mean beautiful?"
" Maybe Donna will think that Mr Bonkers ran away if she can't find him. I mean that could work right Mr Forman?"
Seeing Jackie looking over towards his direction Red gives Jackie a nod.
" That could work. It worked when Kitty and I told Eric…."
" Red shhh."
For the next few seconds Eric looks back and forth between his mother and father.
" Told me what?"
" Eric finish up the rest of your pancakes. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."
Eric takes his eyes away from Kitty to look over towards his father when he hears him taking a deep breathe.
" Oh come on how hard could this be. Go next door and tell the neighbors hey i'm a cat killer. I mur….I murdered your cat."
Suddenly Red bursts out laughing before after a few seconds he stops laughing to see everyone looking at him with a horrified look.
" Oh come on you try to say it with a straight face. Am i the only one who sees the humor out of all of this?"
" I think you are Red."
" Hey wait a minute. Turtles don't run away. Flipper was fast but not that fast."
Getting up from her seat Jackie pulls Eric up with her before slowly she starts to lead him to the sliding doors.
" Okay let's go over next door and get this over with. I will go with you just in case the lumberjack gives you any trouble."
Opening up the sliding doors Jackie exits out of the house before she slowly leads Eric to the opening in the fence.
" Jackie what am i supposed to say to them? I can't go over there and say hey neighbor good morning by the way i murdered your cat."
" That is true. You can't tell them that. But you also didn't murder their cat. Not on purpose anyways."
Looking over her shoulder Jackie sees Eric looking towards the ground before she gives his hand a small squeeze right as she leads him through the fence opening.
" Everything will be okay. I will be with you the whole time."
Within a minute Eric is lead towards the front door to the Pinciotti residence. As Eric raises up his free hand Eric looks over seeing Jackie giving him a nod before he takes a deep breathe and knocks on the door. After a few seconds of hearing footsteps approaching Eric watches the front door open revealing Bob.
" Hey there kids! What brings you here so early?"
" I need to speak to you and Donna about something."
" Oh i'm afraid you have bad timing then."
" How come Mr Pinciotti?"
" Well Donna just stormed out of here a couple of minutes ago Jackie. She caught Joanne trying to sneak out of here this morning."
" Oh i'm sorry to hear that. So how are things going between you and your new lady. She seems really nice. Although for some strange reason she reminds me of someone. I just can't put a finger on who yet."
" Thank you. She really is nice. I have the same strange feeling as you but i think it might just be coincidence. Even so i am happy."
" Well that is good to hear sir. I am glad that you are happy again."
With a smile forming on his face Bob reaches over putting a hand on Eric's shoulder.
" You're a good kid in my book Eric. The same with you as well Jackie. Although my daughter may have a different opinion on the matter you two are great kids to me. So what did the two of you want to talk to Donna and I about?"
Looking over seeing Eric lower his head to the ground Jackie wraps her arms around Eric before looking over towards Bob.
" Last night there was a small accident."
" Is everyone alright? No one got hurt did they?"
" Nobody got hurt but something else did."
" What do you mean?"
Taking a deep breathe Eric takes his eyes away from the ground to look up towards Bob.
" Last night when my father asked me to pull the Vista Cruiser into the garage, I hit something under one of the front tires. When we went to investigate we found Mr Bonkers. I'm really sorry."
" Oh."
For the next few seconds Bob remains silent before looking back over towards Eric.
" It's okay Eric. I know you didn't mean to hit Mr Bonkers. Thank you for telling me. But i don't want either of you to tell Donna about this. I know how sour your relationship is with my daughter. We will just keep this between us."
" But what do we tell Donna if she asks us about Mr Bonkers again Mr Pinciotti?"
Bob quickly shrugs his shoulders as he looks over towards Jackie.
" Tell her that Mr Bonkers ran away from home."
Seeing Bob giving them a small wink a small smile forms on each of Eric's and Jackie's face before in unison they say.
" Right."