Late Morning/Afternoon
It was a sunny June morning. The whole gang was back to hanging out in the Forman's basement. Eric, Donna, and Fez were on summer break from college so everything was back to normal. It was about 11am. Kelso had just shown up, whining about what they could do that day that would be "kick ass".
Donna was a bit worried that she hadn't heard from Jackie about how her talk with Hyde went which was unusual. Normally Jackie called her first thing with whatever exciting or juicy detail about her & Hyde's relationship or sex life, which as far as Donna was concerned, was "Eww!!" Those two got in on like jack rabbits!
Eric noticed Hyde still wasn't up. "Hey, where the hell is Hyde? Is he still at Jackie's?"
Kelso chimed in "His car is here"
Eric was puzzled. "Donna and I were down here in the basement until 3:00 am and he still wasn't back."
Fez spoke up "He was probably still doing it with Jackie."
Suddenly Hyde emerged from his room. He hadn't slept all night. He just stared at the ceiling. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Jackie's hurt bewildered expression.
Eric couldn't believe how bad Hyde looked. Unshaven, bloodshot eyes and pale. He looked like death warmed over. "Dude, what the hell's wrong with you this morning?"
"Nothing!" Hyde said defensively.
Fez smirked "He's probably just tired from doing it."
"No, mind your own business!" said Hyde, aggravated with everyone's comments.
"Geez Hyde, we're just kidding." remarked Eric.
"Since you're all going to find out eventually, I'll just tell you now. I broke up with Jackie last night." said Hyde matter-of-factly.
Donna couldn't believe it, poor Jackie. "Hyde, What the hell? Why did you break up with her?!"
"We were headed no where. I didn't see any reason to delay the inevitable." said Hyde, not looking Donna or anyone else in the eyes.
Donna, sticking up for Jackie said "Hyde, that's bullshit and you know it! She loves you! How could you blindside her like that! She thought you were going to propose last night!"
Hyde lost what color he had left in his face. "Where would she get a stupid idea like that!"
Donna said sarcastically "Oh I don't know Hyde, maybe because you've been inseparable for two years, because you love each other, because you're both done with school. She thought it was the next logical step."
"Well, she thought wrong" Hyde said gruffly, trying to put his normal tough guy act on.
Eric though wasn't buying it. He'd known Hyde better and longer than anyone. He knew exactly how much Jackie meant to Hyde. Hyde hadn't told him but he could just tell from watching them together. Hyde had never been happier but now he was being self-destructive.
"Hyde man, what's your problem! You love her! Don't tell me you don't because I know better!" said Eric angrily.
Hyde frowned "What do you care Forman! You always thought Jackie and me were "creepy and unnatural!"
"That was a long time ago. We got over it. We saw how much you guys loved each other. How can you just throw all of that away?!" asked Eric.
Hyde didn't have an answer for that. Last night he could have thought of a dozen reasons why he was making the right decision but now in the cold light of day he couldn't think of one legitimate reason.
Suddenly an idea occurred to Eric. "Hyde, do you know what this calls for? The stupid helmet!"
Fez jumped up from where he was sitting and said "I'll get it!"
Fez promptly retrieved the "stupid helmet" and placed it on Hyde's head. Hyde didn't fight it because he knew that nobody had ever deserved to wear the "stupid helmet" more than he did at this particular moment.
Red came down the basement steps to put groceries away in the deep freeze. He finished putting everything away and noticed Hyde wearing the football helmet. "Trying out for the Green bay Packers today Steven?" said Red sarcastically.
Fez answered "No Red, it's the "stupid helmet" Get with the program! Hyde broke up with Jackie so now he has to wear the "stupid helmet" because he's stupid." Normally Red would have a smart assed comment for Fez but he was too taken back by Fez's announcement that Hyde had broken up with Jackie. He knew Hyde as well or better than he knew his own son. He knew Hyde loved Jackie more than anything. He was going to talk some sense into that boy whether he liked it or not.
"Steven upstairs, now!" commanded Red.
Hyde took off the "stupid helmet" and followed Red up the stairs.
"Sit down Steven"
Hyde sat down at the kitchen table across from Red.
"So Steven, why'd you do it?"
Hyde, already feeling lower than low, swallowed and answered "We have nothing in common. It would never last."
"Steven, you're going to have to come up with something better than that. Look at Kitty and me. We don't have much of anything in common but we've been married for 30 years and I've never regretted it for one day. You know Steven, since you've been under my roof you've done a lot of stupid things, but this takes the dumb ass cake! Steven, love is loving someone faults and all. Do you think you're easy to deal with? You sent packing one of the few people who love you unconditionally. So you're just going to throw it all away because the odds might not be in your favor? Life has no guarantees Steven. Life is a giant crap shoot. Don't you think she was taking a risk with you? But she was willing to do it because she loves you. You can lie to yourself, you can lie to Eric and the rest of the idiots downstairs but you and I both know that you loved that girl before you even got her."
Hyde looked down at the table. He didn't have anything to say in his own defense. He knew every word Red had spoken was the truth.
"Steven, think of it this way. Jackie's a very beautiful girl. She'll find someone else. She'll be someone else's wife, have someone else's children. If that thought doesn't bother you than you did the right thing. But we both know that's not the case here. So what are you going to do about it, Steven?" asked Red, knowing that he'd gone a little over the top with that last comment but if that didn't get Hyde out the door to fix things with Jackie, nothing would.
Steven was livid. Over his dead body would he let Jackie marry someone else! "I've got to go talk to her"
"Get going then" ordered Red.
Hyde went out the sliding glass door, got in his car, and headed towards the mall. Jackie was at work now, so basically she'd have to listen to him because she couldn't cause a scene in front of her customers or the "cheese guy". She still had to work with "cheese guy" a.k.a. Todd but he trusted her and Todd knew Hyde would kick his ass if he even looked at Jackie in a way he didn't like.
He pulled up to the mall about 5 minutes later, parked his car, and walked into the Cheese Palace. He didn't see Jackie anywhere, but maybe she was in the back getting more cheese. Todd was at the cash register. Hyde sauntered over. "Where's Jackie at? Isn't she supposed to be working today?"
"She was here earlier. She quit. Picked up her last check and said she's moving." answered Todd, depressed that his stone cold fox was leaving.
"What the hell are you talking about?!!" demanded Hyde.
"Oh didn't you know? I thought you guys were still "tight"."
Hyde was overwhelmed. She really quit? He was incredulous. Why would she quit her job? Moving! Moving where? But why?
"Did she say why? Or where she was moving?" asked Hyde angrily.
"No she just said this town is dullsville and that she needed a change of scenery."
"But where is she moving?!" asked Hyde again, losing what little patience he had left.
"She didn't say"
Hyde grabbed Todd by the collar. "Where?!!!" he demanded.
"Really man, she wouldn't tell me. Now let go! I know karate, remember?" said Todd, trying to pretend he wasn't afraid of Hyde.
Hyde let go, not because he was scared of "cheese puff" but because he was convinced he didn't know where Jackie was going. Hyde walked out of the mall in a daze. He felt like he was in the twilight zone. He needed to go back to Forman's and talk to Donna.
When Hyde arrived back at the Forman's everybody was huddled together talking. The minute they saw Hyde they instantly shut up. "Donna, Can I talk to you?"
He led her to his bedroom and shut the door.
"Ok Hyde, what happened? What did she say?" asked Donna, who wasn't feeling any sympathy for his predicament.
"I didn't talk to her. I went to the Cheese Palace to talk to her but that Todd said she came in today and quit!"
"What!!!" demanded Donna, getting more worried about Jackie.
"I know! Why would she just up and quit her job? She also told him she's moving!" informed Hyde, who was scared also.
"Moving! Moving where?"
"I don't know, he claims she wouldn't tell him. Donna, you have to go with me to her house. She'll talk to you. She'd probably shoot me on sight."
"Gee, I wonder why Hyde!" said Donna sarcastically. "Think about it! You must have broken her heart into a million fucking pieces. Do you ever think about anybody but yourself?!"
"Dammit Donna I feel bad enough as it is!" yelled Hyde.
"Good! You should feel bad! Do you have any idea how much she loves you?! No, you probably don't because you're always too busy acting all cool and like you don't care about anything all the time!"
"Oh whatever Donna!"
"What did you think I'd say Hyde? She's my best friend. Did you think I'd congratulate you for being an asshole?" shouted Donna.
"Donna, are you going to keep running your mouth or are you going to help me stop her from doing something really stupid?" demanded Hyde.
"Oh fine, Let's go!"
Jackie had just arrived home from running errands. She had arranged with her father's attorney for someone to take care of the house. It was her house now. Her father had it put in her name over a year ago so the bankruptcy court couldn't get their hands on it. Luckily by selling some bonds, her mother's jewelry, who obviously wasn't ever coming back, and her grandmother's estate she had enough to maintain the house and live on.
She had sold her car to her father's friend who owned a car dealership. Her father had paid $7000 for it 3 years ago and she had gotten $4500 for it today and he was willing to hang on to it for awhile incase her plans fell through and she ended up coming home.
She went upstairs and finished filling 3 huge suitcases and a few small carry-ons. She would have to arrange for the rest of her belongings to be sent to her later. She had to hurry. The cab would be here to take her to the airport in a few minutes. She reached to turn off her bedroom light but a framed picture caught her eye. It was a picture of her and Steven taken at her senior prom. They looked so happy and in love. What a lie! She picked it up and threw it against the wall, glass shattering everywhere.
She dragged the suitcases downstairs. Just in time as she heard the cab honking out front. She took one last look around, wistful and sad. She didn't know when or if she would ever be back. She started to feel the tears welling up but scolded herself "Not now, you have to keep going, you call fall apart later!"
She locked the front door and signaled the cab driver to help her with her suitcases. A few minutes later the cab pulled away bound for the airport.
Twenty minutes after Jackie had left in the cab to go to the airport Donna and Hyde pulled up in her car.
"I don't see her car anywhere" observed Donna, puzzled because Jackie always parked in front of the house.
"Maybe its in the garage" suggested Hyde.
Donna rang the doorbell. Several minutes passed and no one answered. "She must not be here" yelled Donna to Hyde who was still sitting in her car.
Hyde walked up to the front door and pulled out his key to Jackie's house.
"Hyde, you can't just go in! You know damn well she wouldn't want you to use that key!" reprimanded Donna.
"I just want to make sure she's alright. She's mad at me anyway. I doubt my using the key will make it much worse." said Hyde sarcastically.
"Whatever" said Donna, annoyed with Hyde's behavior.
Hyde put the key in the lock and opened the door. The house was dark and quiet. Donna called out "Jackie? Jackie! Are you here?!"
There was no answer. So they walked up the stairs. Donna knocked on Jackie's bedroom door. No answer. They opened it, apprehensive of what they would find. Both afraid she might have done something really terrible, but brushing the thought aside as they knew she wouldn't do something like that.
The room was dark. Donna turned on the light. The normally neat and tidy room looked like a tornado had hit it. Clothes were scattered everywhere, along with partially packed boxes and garment bags. The closets were empty with just the hangers sitting empty. Hyde swallowed the lump in his throat. She was leaving after all, maybe she had already left. Donna was getting really worried and fearful about Jackie's state of mind.
Donna noticed an address book lying open on the bed. She glanced at it. The only name she recognized was Jennifer's. Hyde was reading over Donna's shoulder. Then he noticed a hand written note in Jackie's familiar scrawl.
7:00 pm United Flight 119 Gate 9 Landing at LaGuardia airport
"Donna, Look at this!"
"Oh my God, she's got a flight tonight. She's going to New York City! That's where her half sister lives!" said Donna, disbelieving that this was really happening.
"She hardly even knows her sister" Hyde argued.
"Well apparently that's where she going", pointing to the open address book with Jennifer's phone number and address.
"We've got to stop her!" said Hyde, glancing at his watch. It was 6:30. "Come on, let's go! If we hurry maybe we can still catch her."
They left the house in a mad dash. Hyde drove about 70mph the whole way to the airport praying that he wouldn't get pulled over by the police. They finally pulled up to the airport, got out and ran in, saw the gate 9 sign and ran to the ticket window.
"Have they started boarding flight 119 yet?" Hyde asked frantically.
"Yes sir, all the passengers have boarded and they're now cleared for take off."
"I need to talk to a passenger on that plane" pleaded Hyde.
"I'm sorry sir, that's not possible."
"Why not!" demanded Hyde.
"Because they're ready to take off. Nobody can go out there now."
"But.." Just then the plane headed down the runway and took off.
Hyde and Donna just stood there stunned that Jackie was really gone.
It was a sunny June morning. The whole gang was back to hanging out in the Forman's basement. Eric, Donna, and Fez were on summer break from college so everything was back to normal. It was about 11am. Kelso had just shown up, whining about what they could do that day that would be "kick ass".
Donna was a bit worried that she hadn't heard from Jackie about how her talk with Hyde went which was unusual. Normally Jackie called her first thing with whatever exciting or juicy detail about her & Hyde's relationship or sex life, which as far as Donna was concerned, was "Eww!!" Those two got in on like jack rabbits!
Eric noticed Hyde still wasn't up. "Hey, where the hell is Hyde? Is he still at Jackie's?"
Kelso chimed in "His car is here"
Eric was puzzled. "Donna and I were down here in the basement until 3:00 am and he still wasn't back."
Fez spoke up "He was probably still doing it with Jackie."
Suddenly Hyde emerged from his room. He hadn't slept all night. He just stared at the ceiling. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Jackie's hurt bewildered expression.
Eric couldn't believe how bad Hyde looked. Unshaven, bloodshot eyes and pale. He looked like death warmed over. "Dude, what the hell's wrong with you this morning?"
"Nothing!" Hyde said defensively.
Fez smirked "He's probably just tired from doing it."
"No, mind your own business!" said Hyde, aggravated with everyone's comments.
"Geez Hyde, we're just kidding." remarked Eric.
"Since you're all going to find out eventually, I'll just tell you now. I broke up with Jackie last night." said Hyde matter-of-factly.
Donna couldn't believe it, poor Jackie. "Hyde, What the hell? Why did you break up with her?!"
"We were headed no where. I didn't see any reason to delay the inevitable." said Hyde, not looking Donna or anyone else in the eyes.
Donna, sticking up for Jackie said "Hyde, that's bullshit and you know it! She loves you! How could you blindside her like that! She thought you were going to propose last night!"
Hyde lost what color he had left in his face. "Where would she get a stupid idea like that!"
Donna said sarcastically "Oh I don't know Hyde, maybe because you've been inseparable for two years, because you love each other, because you're both done with school. She thought it was the next logical step."
"Well, she thought wrong" Hyde said gruffly, trying to put his normal tough guy act on.
Eric though wasn't buying it. He'd known Hyde better and longer than anyone. He knew exactly how much Jackie meant to Hyde. Hyde hadn't told him but he could just tell from watching them together. Hyde had never been happier but now he was being self-destructive.
"Hyde man, what's your problem! You love her! Don't tell me you don't because I know better!" said Eric angrily.
Hyde frowned "What do you care Forman! You always thought Jackie and me were "creepy and unnatural!"
"That was a long time ago. We got over it. We saw how much you guys loved each other. How can you just throw all of that away?!" asked Eric.
Hyde didn't have an answer for that. Last night he could have thought of a dozen reasons why he was making the right decision but now in the cold light of day he couldn't think of one legitimate reason.
Suddenly an idea occurred to Eric. "Hyde, do you know what this calls for? The stupid helmet!"
Fez jumped up from where he was sitting and said "I'll get it!"
Fez promptly retrieved the "stupid helmet" and placed it on Hyde's head. Hyde didn't fight it because he knew that nobody had ever deserved to wear the "stupid helmet" more than he did at this particular moment.
Red came down the basement steps to put groceries away in the deep freeze. He finished putting everything away and noticed Hyde wearing the football helmet. "Trying out for the Green bay Packers today Steven?" said Red sarcastically.
Fez answered "No Red, it's the "stupid helmet" Get with the program! Hyde broke up with Jackie so now he has to wear the "stupid helmet" because he's stupid." Normally Red would have a smart assed comment for Fez but he was too taken back by Fez's announcement that Hyde had broken up with Jackie. He knew Hyde as well or better than he knew his own son. He knew Hyde loved Jackie more than anything. He was going to talk some sense into that boy whether he liked it or not.
"Steven upstairs, now!" commanded Red.
Hyde took off the "stupid helmet" and followed Red up the stairs.
"Sit down Steven"
Hyde sat down at the kitchen table across from Red.
"So Steven, why'd you do it?"
Hyde, already feeling lower than low, swallowed and answered "We have nothing in common. It would never last."
"Steven, you're going to have to come up with something better than that. Look at Kitty and me. We don't have much of anything in common but we've been married for 30 years and I've never regretted it for one day. You know Steven, since you've been under my roof you've done a lot of stupid things, but this takes the dumb ass cake! Steven, love is loving someone faults and all. Do you think you're easy to deal with? You sent packing one of the few people who love you unconditionally. So you're just going to throw it all away because the odds might not be in your favor? Life has no guarantees Steven. Life is a giant crap shoot. Don't you think she was taking a risk with you? But she was willing to do it because she loves you. You can lie to yourself, you can lie to Eric and the rest of the idiots downstairs but you and I both know that you loved that girl before you even got her."
Hyde looked down at the table. He didn't have anything to say in his own defense. He knew every word Red had spoken was the truth.
"Steven, think of it this way. Jackie's a very beautiful girl. She'll find someone else. She'll be someone else's wife, have someone else's children. If that thought doesn't bother you than you did the right thing. But we both know that's not the case here. So what are you going to do about it, Steven?" asked Red, knowing that he'd gone a little over the top with that last comment but if that didn't get Hyde out the door to fix things with Jackie, nothing would.
Steven was livid. Over his dead body would he let Jackie marry someone else! "I've got to go talk to her"
"Get going then" ordered Red.
Hyde went out the sliding glass door, got in his car, and headed towards the mall. Jackie was at work now, so basically she'd have to listen to him because she couldn't cause a scene in front of her customers or the "cheese guy". She still had to work with "cheese guy" a.k.a. Todd but he trusted her and Todd knew Hyde would kick his ass if he even looked at Jackie in a way he didn't like.
He pulled up to the mall about 5 minutes later, parked his car, and walked into the Cheese Palace. He didn't see Jackie anywhere, but maybe she was in the back getting more cheese. Todd was at the cash register. Hyde sauntered over. "Where's Jackie at? Isn't she supposed to be working today?"
"She was here earlier. She quit. Picked up her last check and said she's moving." answered Todd, depressed that his stone cold fox was leaving.
"What the hell are you talking about?!!" demanded Hyde.
"Oh didn't you know? I thought you guys were still "tight"."
Hyde was overwhelmed. She really quit? He was incredulous. Why would she quit her job? Moving! Moving where? But why?
"Did she say why? Or where she was moving?" asked Hyde angrily.
"No she just said this town is dullsville and that she needed a change of scenery."
"But where is she moving?!" asked Hyde again, losing what little patience he had left.
"She didn't say"
Hyde grabbed Todd by the collar. "Where?!!!" he demanded.
"Really man, she wouldn't tell me. Now let go! I know karate, remember?" said Todd, trying to pretend he wasn't afraid of Hyde.
Hyde let go, not because he was scared of "cheese puff" but because he was convinced he didn't know where Jackie was going. Hyde walked out of the mall in a daze. He felt like he was in the twilight zone. He needed to go back to Forman's and talk to Donna.
When Hyde arrived back at the Forman's everybody was huddled together talking. The minute they saw Hyde they instantly shut up. "Donna, Can I talk to you?"
He led her to his bedroom and shut the door.
"Ok Hyde, what happened? What did she say?" asked Donna, who wasn't feeling any sympathy for his predicament.
"I didn't talk to her. I went to the Cheese Palace to talk to her but that Todd said she came in today and quit!"
"What!!!" demanded Donna, getting more worried about Jackie.
"I know! Why would she just up and quit her job? She also told him she's moving!" informed Hyde, who was scared also.
"Moving! Moving where?"
"I don't know, he claims she wouldn't tell him. Donna, you have to go with me to her house. She'll talk to you. She'd probably shoot me on sight."
"Gee, I wonder why Hyde!" said Donna sarcastically. "Think about it! You must have broken her heart into a million fucking pieces. Do you ever think about anybody but yourself?!"
"Dammit Donna I feel bad enough as it is!" yelled Hyde.
"Good! You should feel bad! Do you have any idea how much she loves you?! No, you probably don't because you're always too busy acting all cool and like you don't care about anything all the time!"
"Oh whatever Donna!"
"What did you think I'd say Hyde? She's my best friend. Did you think I'd congratulate you for being an asshole?" shouted Donna.
"Donna, are you going to keep running your mouth or are you going to help me stop her from doing something really stupid?" demanded Hyde.
"Oh fine, Let's go!"
Jackie had just arrived home from running errands. She had arranged with her father's attorney for someone to take care of the house. It was her house now. Her father had it put in her name over a year ago so the bankruptcy court couldn't get their hands on it. Luckily by selling some bonds, her mother's jewelry, who obviously wasn't ever coming back, and her grandmother's estate she had enough to maintain the house and live on.
She had sold her car to her father's friend who owned a car dealership. Her father had paid $7000 for it 3 years ago and she had gotten $4500 for it today and he was willing to hang on to it for awhile incase her plans fell through and she ended up coming home.
She went upstairs and finished filling 3 huge suitcases and a few small carry-ons. She would have to arrange for the rest of her belongings to be sent to her later. She had to hurry. The cab would be here to take her to the airport in a few minutes. She reached to turn off her bedroom light but a framed picture caught her eye. It was a picture of her and Steven taken at her senior prom. They looked so happy and in love. What a lie! She picked it up and threw it against the wall, glass shattering everywhere.
She dragged the suitcases downstairs. Just in time as she heard the cab honking out front. She took one last look around, wistful and sad. She didn't know when or if she would ever be back. She started to feel the tears welling up but scolded herself "Not now, you have to keep going, you call fall apart later!"
She locked the front door and signaled the cab driver to help her with her suitcases. A few minutes later the cab pulled away bound for the airport.
Twenty minutes after Jackie had left in the cab to go to the airport Donna and Hyde pulled up in her car.
"I don't see her car anywhere" observed Donna, puzzled because Jackie always parked in front of the house.
"Maybe its in the garage" suggested Hyde.
Donna rang the doorbell. Several minutes passed and no one answered. "She must not be here" yelled Donna to Hyde who was still sitting in her car.
Hyde walked up to the front door and pulled out his key to Jackie's house.
"Hyde, you can't just go in! You know damn well she wouldn't want you to use that key!" reprimanded Donna.
"I just want to make sure she's alright. She's mad at me anyway. I doubt my using the key will make it much worse." said Hyde sarcastically.
"Whatever" said Donna, annoyed with Hyde's behavior.
Hyde put the key in the lock and opened the door. The house was dark and quiet. Donna called out "Jackie? Jackie! Are you here?!"
There was no answer. So they walked up the stairs. Donna knocked on Jackie's bedroom door. No answer. They opened it, apprehensive of what they would find. Both afraid she might have done something really terrible, but brushing the thought aside as they knew she wouldn't do something like that.
The room was dark. Donna turned on the light. The normally neat and tidy room looked like a tornado had hit it. Clothes were scattered everywhere, along with partially packed boxes and garment bags. The closets were empty with just the hangers sitting empty. Hyde swallowed the lump in his throat. She was leaving after all, maybe she had already left. Donna was getting really worried and fearful about Jackie's state of mind.
Donna noticed an address book lying open on the bed. She glanced at it. The only name she recognized was Jennifer's. Hyde was reading over Donna's shoulder. Then he noticed a hand written note in Jackie's familiar scrawl.
7:00 pm United Flight 119 Gate 9 Landing at LaGuardia airport
"Donna, Look at this!"
"Oh my God, she's got a flight tonight. She's going to New York City! That's where her half sister lives!" said Donna, disbelieving that this was really happening.
"She hardly even knows her sister" Hyde argued.
"Well apparently that's where she going", pointing to the open address book with Jennifer's phone number and address.
"We've got to stop her!" said Hyde, glancing at his watch. It was 6:30. "Come on, let's go! If we hurry maybe we can still catch her."
They left the house in a mad dash. Hyde drove about 70mph the whole way to the airport praying that he wouldn't get pulled over by the police. They finally pulled up to the airport, got out and ran in, saw the gate 9 sign and ran to the ticket window.
"Have they started boarding flight 119 yet?" Hyde asked frantically.
"Yes sir, all the passengers have boarded and they're now cleared for take off."
"I need to talk to a passenger on that plane" pleaded Hyde.
"I'm sorry sir, that's not possible."
"Why not!" demanded Hyde.
"Because they're ready to take off. Nobody can go out there now."
"But.." Just then the plane headed down the runway and took off.
Hyde and Donna just stood there stunned that Jackie was really gone.