Chapter 6
There Was Something In The Air That Night, The Stars Were Bright, Fernando
Two Months Later
Jackie normally didn't read music magazines (even Donna's), but something told her to purchase a newsletter publication at the newsagents when she picked up her usual Vogue and W. She sat in her office in New York which had a fantastic view of the New York City skyline. She liked to sit facing the window and take in the view especially at night. She threw her yogurt container in the small recycling bin next to her waste basket and picked up the newsletter. "We were always meant to be" her inner voice said as soon as she saw the small article titled:
Steven Hyde Now Making Music In Wisconsin..Returning to his roots, blah, blah, blah. Steven left England! In her mind Jackie was doing a hundred cartwheels and happily screaming all the while remaining in her chair. Her daughter was going to be spending time with her s.o.b of an ex-husband, it might be the perfect time to take another trip. She almost forgave him for not trying to get back in touch with her, but she knew how he was, and the fact that he left London to come back to America and more specifically Wisconsin meant that he was taking stock of his life and she hoped that there was a place for her in it.
Dependency
Eric was on auto pilot when he returned to work. Everyone knew about him being in the hospital and his marriage ending. When he returned to Kenosha it was a warning from Red telling him working at home is fine when you had a broken leg but you are going back to the office as soon as you are fit and able. Eric thought he was fit but able? That was a joke. It was all over and he couldn't cry anymore. There was just a black hole where his heart should be. He was becoming numb to the whole world. He came into some extra money by hanging out with some guys from work some of whom he was their boss inside by doing some internet stock trading. One of his work friends was a likeable thirtysomething named Abe who thought Eric needed something to get through the bleak hours. They were at a co-workers birthday party and everyone who knew Eric liked Eric. He was that one likable boss in a sea of corporate ass kissers and yes-men/women. Eric was sitting by himself watching the band play, and thought "My music is considered oldies now?" and that was depressing. He was on his second bottle of beer and quite enjoying the small buzz. Abe came by and discreetly handed Eric a small packet, "You need it." He said before going off with his girlfriend, Eric kept his hand closed as he put the beer bottle down and got up. He walked to upstairs to the bathroom and locked the door. It wasn't until he turned on the light and opened up his hand that he saw what it was..Cocaine. His logical knew the difference between right and wrong brain kicked in and said "This is how all those articles start.about the normal.not the junkies but the normal people.that's how they start." The other part of his brain that was tired and hurt from it all said, "What's the harm?
Abe's right you do need it!" and there's no harm if you "aren't an addict who needs it first thing in the morning and last thing at night". That's when Eric Forman at 38 and a half did his first line of cocaine.
Hyde put down the telephone and shook his head out of a state of disbelief. He opened the door and was hardly warm when he Said "Come in." which made Jackie more nervous then she actually was. "Damn him and his walls." She thought. Hyde closed the door and was glad no one else was here to bother them. It shouldn't take long to send her merrily back on her way.
"I'm mad at you." Jackie said
"You're mad at me?!" Hyde couldn't believe her, he just couldn't.
"You haven't gotten in touch with me and you wrote me a check for services rendered..."
They were able to pick the conversation as if it were yesterday.
"Unbelievable," Hyde sat down in his swivel chair, "You are a piece of work, Jackie. Where do I start?"
"I can see this might not have been the best idea I had-coming here."
He stood up again, she just made him so crazy! That was the word-crazy.
"What did you expect for me to run into your arms and kiss you like you never been kissed?"
"No," she lied.
He stood up and backed her right in a corner.
"Jackie, you are a lousy liar. You went to Forman when you didn't have the right to.."
"I heard you and hi..."
"I'm not done talking. Donna should've known better than tell you her secrets. You have no idea on why I'm angry do you?"
"Well, Steven, you never TALK to anyone about anything."
"You assumed you could just somehow, I don't even know why, just because Donna might have said she had feelings for me did not mean I was going to recipicate them in the present. You thought that was going to help Forman? He's a basket case as it is. --but the fact that you could just tell me your reason and act like it was doing me a f***ing favor. When I didn't want Donna, I wanted YOU!"
That's when he put his arms around her and kissed her.
"I thought you weren't going to do that?" She said in his ear.
"Shut up," He kissed her again, sometimes the only way to keep her quiet was to kiss her.
Donna had a day off and was looking forward to seeing a movie by herself but by the time she got there her mind wandered from the film to what went wrong with Eric. She felt bad for how it ended. She went from being the hospital telling him they were going to talk about things to going with her Dad's decision to sell the house. There was no talk with Eric only some very tense moments in very claustrophobic lawyers offices. She too had reasons. That Hyde stuff Donna realized was just trying to capture the past in somehow like those choose your own adventure stories she helped elementary school kids make as part of one of her college courses. If you want the safe, dependable Eric Forman turn to page 4 if you want the rebellious, rough around the edges but loveable Hyde turn to page 6. Maybe she should have told Eric everything from the beginning from Hyde and everything else. She heard he was back at work but one of their mutual friends who worked at the same company, emailed her that she was seeing a change in Eric, first it was seemingly good he was on some kind of stock market roll. He sent a bunch of presents to his parents, including a trip to California. But then there seemed a more darker side to Eric, which made Donna wonder if they were talking about the same Eric Forman? Eric didn't have a dark side. Darth Vader leading the Imperial Empire he was not. Everyone had their bad days, but a dark side? Eric was becoming more than a sociable drinker and the girl who was afraid of either one of them losing their jobs-there was a rumor that he was doing Coke. The first thought was what was she doing sitting in this theatre when she should take the first plane to Kenosha? The second thought felt like someone kicked her in the stomach but it was herself.'Did I turn him into an addict?' She got up and left just as the movie was about to start.
The Scrawny Neighbor Boy From High School?
Jackie couldn't believe it but she was in bed with Hyde in his apartment. He didn't talk much but that was okay, she knew he'd open up verbally later. She rested her head on his chest not wanting to talk for fear that it was just a dream. But she was going to be meeting up with Donna soon so she wanted to ask him about Eric.
"Steven," she whispered softly in his chest, "You and Eric made up?"
"Sort-of." He really didn't want to go into detail about how Mrs. Forman wanted to make sure things were sorted out and had invited Hyde to dinner the day Eric got his cast off, she also wanted to make sure he and Red were okay. Since Red too didn't like to talk about emotions and feelings it was easy to just snap back into their usual relationship. He did tell him in private that he didn't know what he was doing calling the police but Hyde told him it was okay. Now Forman on the other hand was more quiet than usual, which surprised Hyde it was probably the realization that Donna and him were definitely divorcing and there was nothing that he could do about it. Without being sanctimonious Hyde noticed Eric's spirit seemed to have vanished.
"Sort-of?" She didn't want to press the issue.
"He'll be all right." Hyde couldn't believe he was in bed with Jackie. It just seemed so right that he didn't want to do something to mess it up. When he thought to all the years they wasted apart. He saw that jerk she married, right family, right money, total dickhead! He knew he could talk to her more than he could talk to anybody in this whole world, but it still was difficult. It was easier just to hold her. Figuring his actions spoke louder than his words.
Donna couldn't get in touch with Jackie and wondered where she could be? It's funny, you don't think you were friends with somebody when you get to college and meet new people, then go to work and meet more new people, but you always go back to the people from high school. She got as far as sitting in the travel agents office before going back to her apartment, lying to her Dad that she only had to work a half day, which was true in the sense that she only actually worked a half day. She wanted to put a stamp on her forehead That said, "I do love Eric Forman" because everyone doubted her, sometimes She herself doubted that, especially that day he came into her office on His crutches saying their marriage was over. She didn't get to reply or anything-after he got sick he must have gone out a back way because a few people saw him leave. Eric could not been on cocaine. Eric Forman The Scrawny Neighbor Boy who became her husband? Eric wheeling and dealing on internet stocks? Well, that wasn't unbelievable he did buy one before a few years ago made five hundred dollars and quickly got out of the venture. And he did have his business major background. She missed him so much. All she wanted was for him to be happy and look at the mess it became. She had to see him with her own eyes. If he had a serious drug problem she didn't know what she was going to do. All they did was pot and occasionally drink.but they never the hard drugs. So much for the "it leads to the harder drugs" theory that well meaning parents and Church groups always shoved down your throats when they smelled the slightest hint of smoke or saw a rock group album cover. Eric Forman her ex-husband on cocaine? It just couldn't be. She took a deep breath and decided to try Jackie's phone number again.
"Do you have to leave?" Hyde took a major risk in asking that to Jackie. It was as if they were starting over-as if all the years before didn't matter, well of course they would always matter, this was just on a different level.
"I wish I didn't have to go to work, Steven." Jackie brushed her hair as she let her dress hang on her, unbelted.
"I know. I have to do the same thing." He buttoned up his shirt.
"There's airplanes," Jackie put her arms around him, "New York isn't that far. I have lots of frequent flier miles when I can't use the private jet!," Her eyes lit up and Hyde gave a resounding
"No. I don't particularly feel like using your ex-husbands private jet. We'll find another way. I'm not broke you know." Hyde was so happy, not that he could show it, when he got his first ten thousand in the bank. No one expected much from him except Red and Kitty (esp. Mrs. Forman) who knew he had a talent and could go just as far as Eric.
"I know. I'm proud of you, Steven. Even if I don't listen to the records you produce."
Hyde laughed, "I don't want to know who you listen to Jackie..It's AOR crap, isn't it?"
"What's wrong with Celine Dion? She has a beautiful voice! Did you even see Titanic, Steven? Stop laughing at me! Shut up!"
Sometimes the only way to keep him quiet was to kiss him.
Eric looked at himself in the mirror of the small bathroom that was in his office. He was looking for any changes to his face and he couldn't find any. Because addicts change and become those unkempt images that you see in the movies. He wasn't an addict he looked perfectly normal in a world that wasn't perfect anymore since Donna ended their marriage. He was ready to begin again and for her to pull the rug out from under him like that hurt his soul. He almost killed Hyde and for what? The answer was not clear. He noted the irony of wearing the royal blue button down shirt she got for him once, not for any special reason, he took off his tie and hung it over the door knob and unbuttoned the top two buttons. He took his black blazer off the hook on the door and put it on smoothing out the little wrinkles that were on his arms. He didn't feel any guilt as he thought off the basement and the recreational activities he (and the rest of his friends) did back then.no sense preaching about this, that was just as illegal. He was quite sick of being the "good boy" and getting nothing in return, a failed marriage, boring but predictable job, and having the mentality of helping old ladies cross the street. He looked at his watch it was five-thirty pm and there was nothing to do in Kenosha anyway but go to the clubs, get high, and fondle a few whores.
"How long does it take you to get ready, Forman?" One of the more cuter secretaries said to the closed door.
Eric took one last look-perfect in the All-American way before opening the door.
"Keep your shirt on, well at least for now." He jibed. Trying to erase all the memories of Donna in one swoop.
"Do you.?" She started to say.
"Of course." Knowing exactly what she was talking about, making sure no one that could have him looking for a new job tomorrow or worse yet prison was around.
"All the girls in the break room talk about you." She said to him when they got in the elevator.
"And preytel what do they say?"
"That you're sexy and two of them are happy that you are single again."
He sighed as he got his car keys out of his trouser pocket, "I never should've gotten married it was the biggest mistake of my life. And I really don't want to talk about it." That's when the urge to do it right there in the parking lot hit him, he tried to shake it off knowing where he was, and for the time being it worked. He tried to be upbeat, for the first time in his life he had a cool car, a vintage Trans AM, a young secretary in the passenger side who wanted him more than he wanted her, and (a little bit of) money, considering where he was in the world Kenosha was certainly not the hub of culture, life was pretty good and he was determined to make it one big party to drown out the pain of losing Donna.
Jackie left a goodnight message for Hyde before checking her voice mail-Donna who was never really frantic regarding her emotions said it "was important" and to "please call when you can". She wondered if it was about Kelso that they found him and he was dead? She dialed Donna's number.
"Jackie, where have you been?"
"With Steven, but I don't think you want to hear about that right now."
Donna was happy for Jackie and Hyde-but right now she had to find out if this rumor regarding Eric was true. Donna didn't waste time she just blurted it out.
"What?" Jackie was stunned, "Who told you that?"
"A friend that works with Eric."
"Eric wouldn't take cocaine. That's so unlike Eric."
"Which makes me think this is the truth." Donna was not going to become a crier but if something happened to Eric, it was bad enough he and Hyde got into that huge brawl and his Mother calling her a whore, but if Eric died of a drug overdose...she couldn't bear to finish the thought.
"I'm sure you know that Steven is in Wisconsin and he can..."
"No, Jackie. I don't want Hyde to know. If Red and Kitty get wind of this.I hope it's not true, but.I need to see Eric with my own eyes."
"Then go to him, Donna. Just because you are divorced doesn't mean you can't help him, right?" 'That's if the rumor is true' Jackie thought. But she knew it had to be. She still couldn't picture Eric with the mirror and the razorblade rolling up a crisp monetary note and shoving it up his nose. That was hardly the Eric Forman she knew. Hardly the Eric Forman any of them knew.
"I'm sure he didn't forget, Red." Kitty said looking out the window, trying to do what she did best calm down her husband. There was a Pricemart reunion dinner and Eric told his Father the last time he was here that he'd attend.
"If Eric doesn't show up in ten minutes, we're leaving without him."
"What if he got into a car accident?" Kitty tried not to worry, but if Eric said he would be someplace he would be there. He wasn't the type to not show up or to arrive fashionably late.
"Did you try calling that dumbass son of ours?"
"Yes at both of his numbers." But she left him voice mail.
"Remind me when I see him to kick his ass. That's where we went wrong with Eric, Kitty, we didn't kick his ass enough."
"Oh, I think you.." Kitty trailed her words off she didn't like how Red was heavy handed with Eric. It always took her soothing words and homemade chocolate chip cookies with a big happy face glass of milk to make it all better. She hoped wherever her son was that he was all right. She was going to have a lousy evening anyway wondering about his whereabouts because it wasn't like Eric to not call.
Later that night
Radio DJ voice: Welcome to Kenosha Dance Party on WI94FM coming to you live from Club Sapphire.Where you twenty years ago when disco was king, pants were tight, and you didn't want to take Carrie White to the prom. Or maybe you did, if all that pig blood turned you on...Here's a track from that wonder group from Sweden ABBA in a track from 1976-can you hear the drums "Fernando"? Where were you in 1976? What were you doing? And whose lips were you kissing?
Eric left his "date" for the evening drunk on tequila ready to pass out on her bar stool. That wasn't his problem. Was he supposed to be somewhere else tonight? He wasn't sure. It couldn't have been that important if he didn't remember.
"Hey, Eric, over here," called Abe, "Where's Jillian?"
"Getting drunk at the bar." He replied with no concern in his voice as he drank from his beer bottle.
"Are we ready for business?"
"Oh, yeah," Eric tried to block the song playing over every single loudspeaker, thinking of another night coming home from another disco the one they demolished here in 1983.
Someone came up to them and whispered in Eric's ear. Use of the back room was one hundred dollars for fifteen minutes.
"Since you got the stuff, Eric. This sessions on me." Abe said as they and two other friends from work went with them.
There was something in the air that night and the stars were surely bright. (note-added 'surely' to not use the actual song lyrics)
"I'm very worried about Eric, it's not like him to not phone." Kitty said to Hyde, on the little cell phone Eric bought for her when he got them the trip to California. She lied to Red and told him she had to use the ladies room.
"I have no idea on where he is, Mrs. Forman." And she was right it wasn't like him.
"If you hear from him tonight will you tell him to call me?"
"Of course. Enjoy your dinner Mrs. Forman, I'm sure Forman is okay. He's probably sulking at home over Donna." Now he was going to have spend the better part of tomorrow phoning the dill hole and tell him to call home as if he were three years old! F***ing idiot, thought Hyde.
**************************************************************************** ****************
Much later
After a balancing act in the men's room, Eric washed his hands letting the hot water scald his hands. He looked up and into the mirror where he saw the light trail of blood coming down his nose. Eric Forman: All-American.
Where were you in 1976? What were you doing? And whose lips were you kissing?
Two Months Later
Jackie normally didn't read music magazines (even Donna's), but something told her to purchase a newsletter publication at the newsagents when she picked up her usual Vogue and W. She sat in her office in New York which had a fantastic view of the New York City skyline. She liked to sit facing the window and take in the view especially at night. She threw her yogurt container in the small recycling bin next to her waste basket and picked up the newsletter. "We were always meant to be" her inner voice said as soon as she saw the small article titled:
Steven Hyde Now Making Music In Wisconsin..Returning to his roots, blah, blah, blah. Steven left England! In her mind Jackie was doing a hundred cartwheels and happily screaming all the while remaining in her chair. Her daughter was going to be spending time with her s.o.b of an ex-husband, it might be the perfect time to take another trip. She almost forgave him for not trying to get back in touch with her, but she knew how he was, and the fact that he left London to come back to America and more specifically Wisconsin meant that he was taking stock of his life and she hoped that there was a place for her in it.
Dependency
Eric was on auto pilot when he returned to work. Everyone knew about him being in the hospital and his marriage ending. When he returned to Kenosha it was a warning from Red telling him working at home is fine when you had a broken leg but you are going back to the office as soon as you are fit and able. Eric thought he was fit but able? That was a joke. It was all over and he couldn't cry anymore. There was just a black hole where his heart should be. He was becoming numb to the whole world. He came into some extra money by hanging out with some guys from work some of whom he was their boss inside by doing some internet stock trading. One of his work friends was a likeable thirtysomething named Abe who thought Eric needed something to get through the bleak hours. They were at a co-workers birthday party and everyone who knew Eric liked Eric. He was that one likable boss in a sea of corporate ass kissers and yes-men/women. Eric was sitting by himself watching the band play, and thought "My music is considered oldies now?" and that was depressing. He was on his second bottle of beer and quite enjoying the small buzz. Abe came by and discreetly handed Eric a small packet, "You need it." He said before going off with his girlfriend, Eric kept his hand closed as he put the beer bottle down and got up. He walked to upstairs to the bathroom and locked the door. It wasn't until he turned on the light and opened up his hand that he saw what it was..Cocaine. His logical knew the difference between right and wrong brain kicked in and said "This is how all those articles start.about the normal.not the junkies but the normal people.that's how they start." The other part of his brain that was tired and hurt from it all said, "What's the harm?
Abe's right you do need it!" and there's no harm if you "aren't an addict who needs it first thing in the morning and last thing at night". That's when Eric Forman at 38 and a half did his first line of cocaine.
Hyde put down the telephone and shook his head out of a state of disbelief. He opened the door and was hardly warm when he Said "Come in." which made Jackie more nervous then she actually was. "Damn him and his walls." She thought. Hyde closed the door and was glad no one else was here to bother them. It shouldn't take long to send her merrily back on her way.
"I'm mad at you." Jackie said
"You're mad at me?!" Hyde couldn't believe her, he just couldn't.
"You haven't gotten in touch with me and you wrote me a check for services rendered..."
They were able to pick the conversation as if it were yesterday.
"Unbelievable," Hyde sat down in his swivel chair, "You are a piece of work, Jackie. Where do I start?"
"I can see this might not have been the best idea I had-coming here."
He stood up again, she just made him so crazy! That was the word-crazy.
"What did you expect for me to run into your arms and kiss you like you never been kissed?"
"No," she lied.
He stood up and backed her right in a corner.
"Jackie, you are a lousy liar. You went to Forman when you didn't have the right to.."
"I heard you and hi..."
"I'm not done talking. Donna should've known better than tell you her secrets. You have no idea on why I'm angry do you?"
"Well, Steven, you never TALK to anyone about anything."
"You assumed you could just somehow, I don't even know why, just because Donna might have said she had feelings for me did not mean I was going to recipicate them in the present. You thought that was going to help Forman? He's a basket case as it is. --but the fact that you could just tell me your reason and act like it was doing me a f***ing favor. When I didn't want Donna, I wanted YOU!"
That's when he put his arms around her and kissed her.
"I thought you weren't going to do that?" She said in his ear.
"Shut up," He kissed her again, sometimes the only way to keep her quiet was to kiss her.
Donna had a day off and was looking forward to seeing a movie by herself but by the time she got there her mind wandered from the film to what went wrong with Eric. She felt bad for how it ended. She went from being the hospital telling him they were going to talk about things to going with her Dad's decision to sell the house. There was no talk with Eric only some very tense moments in very claustrophobic lawyers offices. She too had reasons. That Hyde stuff Donna realized was just trying to capture the past in somehow like those choose your own adventure stories she helped elementary school kids make as part of one of her college courses. If you want the safe, dependable Eric Forman turn to page 4 if you want the rebellious, rough around the edges but loveable Hyde turn to page 6. Maybe she should have told Eric everything from the beginning from Hyde and everything else. She heard he was back at work but one of their mutual friends who worked at the same company, emailed her that she was seeing a change in Eric, first it was seemingly good he was on some kind of stock market roll. He sent a bunch of presents to his parents, including a trip to California. But then there seemed a more darker side to Eric, which made Donna wonder if they were talking about the same Eric Forman? Eric didn't have a dark side. Darth Vader leading the Imperial Empire he was not. Everyone had their bad days, but a dark side? Eric was becoming more than a sociable drinker and the girl who was afraid of either one of them losing their jobs-there was a rumor that he was doing Coke. The first thought was what was she doing sitting in this theatre when she should take the first plane to Kenosha? The second thought felt like someone kicked her in the stomach but it was herself.'Did I turn him into an addict?' She got up and left just as the movie was about to start.
The Scrawny Neighbor Boy From High School?
Jackie couldn't believe it but she was in bed with Hyde in his apartment. He didn't talk much but that was okay, she knew he'd open up verbally later. She rested her head on his chest not wanting to talk for fear that it was just a dream. But she was going to be meeting up with Donna soon so she wanted to ask him about Eric.
"Steven," she whispered softly in his chest, "You and Eric made up?"
"Sort-of." He really didn't want to go into detail about how Mrs. Forman wanted to make sure things were sorted out and had invited Hyde to dinner the day Eric got his cast off, she also wanted to make sure he and Red were okay. Since Red too didn't like to talk about emotions and feelings it was easy to just snap back into their usual relationship. He did tell him in private that he didn't know what he was doing calling the police but Hyde told him it was okay. Now Forman on the other hand was more quiet than usual, which surprised Hyde it was probably the realization that Donna and him were definitely divorcing and there was nothing that he could do about it. Without being sanctimonious Hyde noticed Eric's spirit seemed to have vanished.
"Sort-of?" She didn't want to press the issue.
"He'll be all right." Hyde couldn't believe he was in bed with Jackie. It just seemed so right that he didn't want to do something to mess it up. When he thought to all the years they wasted apart. He saw that jerk she married, right family, right money, total dickhead! He knew he could talk to her more than he could talk to anybody in this whole world, but it still was difficult. It was easier just to hold her. Figuring his actions spoke louder than his words.
Donna couldn't get in touch with Jackie and wondered where she could be? It's funny, you don't think you were friends with somebody when you get to college and meet new people, then go to work and meet more new people, but you always go back to the people from high school. She got as far as sitting in the travel agents office before going back to her apartment, lying to her Dad that she only had to work a half day, which was true in the sense that she only actually worked a half day. She wanted to put a stamp on her forehead That said, "I do love Eric Forman" because everyone doubted her, sometimes She herself doubted that, especially that day he came into her office on His crutches saying their marriage was over. She didn't get to reply or anything-after he got sick he must have gone out a back way because a few people saw him leave. Eric could not been on cocaine. Eric Forman The Scrawny Neighbor Boy who became her husband? Eric wheeling and dealing on internet stocks? Well, that wasn't unbelievable he did buy one before a few years ago made five hundred dollars and quickly got out of the venture. And he did have his business major background. She missed him so much. All she wanted was for him to be happy and look at the mess it became. She had to see him with her own eyes. If he had a serious drug problem she didn't know what she was going to do. All they did was pot and occasionally drink.but they never the hard drugs. So much for the "it leads to the harder drugs" theory that well meaning parents and Church groups always shoved down your throats when they smelled the slightest hint of smoke or saw a rock group album cover. Eric Forman her ex-husband on cocaine? It just couldn't be. She took a deep breath and decided to try Jackie's phone number again.
"Do you have to leave?" Hyde took a major risk in asking that to Jackie. It was as if they were starting over-as if all the years before didn't matter, well of course they would always matter, this was just on a different level.
"I wish I didn't have to go to work, Steven." Jackie brushed her hair as she let her dress hang on her, unbelted.
"I know. I have to do the same thing." He buttoned up his shirt.
"There's airplanes," Jackie put her arms around him, "New York isn't that far. I have lots of frequent flier miles when I can't use the private jet!," Her eyes lit up and Hyde gave a resounding
"No. I don't particularly feel like using your ex-husbands private jet. We'll find another way. I'm not broke you know." Hyde was so happy, not that he could show it, when he got his first ten thousand in the bank. No one expected much from him except Red and Kitty (esp. Mrs. Forman) who knew he had a talent and could go just as far as Eric.
"I know. I'm proud of you, Steven. Even if I don't listen to the records you produce."
Hyde laughed, "I don't want to know who you listen to Jackie..It's AOR crap, isn't it?"
"What's wrong with Celine Dion? She has a beautiful voice! Did you even see Titanic, Steven? Stop laughing at me! Shut up!"
Sometimes the only way to keep him quiet was to kiss him.
Eric looked at himself in the mirror of the small bathroom that was in his office. He was looking for any changes to his face and he couldn't find any. Because addicts change and become those unkempt images that you see in the movies. He wasn't an addict he looked perfectly normal in a world that wasn't perfect anymore since Donna ended their marriage. He was ready to begin again and for her to pull the rug out from under him like that hurt his soul. He almost killed Hyde and for what? The answer was not clear. He noted the irony of wearing the royal blue button down shirt she got for him once, not for any special reason, he took off his tie and hung it over the door knob and unbuttoned the top two buttons. He took his black blazer off the hook on the door and put it on smoothing out the little wrinkles that were on his arms. He didn't feel any guilt as he thought off the basement and the recreational activities he (and the rest of his friends) did back then.no sense preaching about this, that was just as illegal. He was quite sick of being the "good boy" and getting nothing in return, a failed marriage, boring but predictable job, and having the mentality of helping old ladies cross the street. He looked at his watch it was five-thirty pm and there was nothing to do in Kenosha anyway but go to the clubs, get high, and fondle a few whores.
"How long does it take you to get ready, Forman?" One of the more cuter secretaries said to the closed door.
Eric took one last look-perfect in the All-American way before opening the door.
"Keep your shirt on, well at least for now." He jibed. Trying to erase all the memories of Donna in one swoop.
"Do you.?" She started to say.
"Of course." Knowing exactly what she was talking about, making sure no one that could have him looking for a new job tomorrow or worse yet prison was around.
"All the girls in the break room talk about you." She said to him when they got in the elevator.
"And preytel what do they say?"
"That you're sexy and two of them are happy that you are single again."
He sighed as he got his car keys out of his trouser pocket, "I never should've gotten married it was the biggest mistake of my life. And I really don't want to talk about it." That's when the urge to do it right there in the parking lot hit him, he tried to shake it off knowing where he was, and for the time being it worked. He tried to be upbeat, for the first time in his life he had a cool car, a vintage Trans AM, a young secretary in the passenger side who wanted him more than he wanted her, and (a little bit of) money, considering where he was in the world Kenosha was certainly not the hub of culture, life was pretty good and he was determined to make it one big party to drown out the pain of losing Donna.
Jackie left a goodnight message for Hyde before checking her voice mail-Donna who was never really frantic regarding her emotions said it "was important" and to "please call when you can". She wondered if it was about Kelso that they found him and he was dead? She dialed Donna's number.
"Jackie, where have you been?"
"With Steven, but I don't think you want to hear about that right now."
Donna was happy for Jackie and Hyde-but right now she had to find out if this rumor regarding Eric was true. Donna didn't waste time she just blurted it out.
"What?" Jackie was stunned, "Who told you that?"
"A friend that works with Eric."
"Eric wouldn't take cocaine. That's so unlike Eric."
"Which makes me think this is the truth." Donna was not going to become a crier but if something happened to Eric, it was bad enough he and Hyde got into that huge brawl and his Mother calling her a whore, but if Eric died of a drug overdose...she couldn't bear to finish the thought.
"I'm sure you know that Steven is in Wisconsin and he can..."
"No, Jackie. I don't want Hyde to know. If Red and Kitty get wind of this.I hope it's not true, but.I need to see Eric with my own eyes."
"Then go to him, Donna. Just because you are divorced doesn't mean you can't help him, right?" 'That's if the rumor is true' Jackie thought. But she knew it had to be. She still couldn't picture Eric with the mirror and the razorblade rolling up a crisp monetary note and shoving it up his nose. That was hardly the Eric Forman she knew. Hardly the Eric Forman any of them knew.
"I'm sure he didn't forget, Red." Kitty said looking out the window, trying to do what she did best calm down her husband. There was a Pricemart reunion dinner and Eric told his Father the last time he was here that he'd attend.
"If Eric doesn't show up in ten minutes, we're leaving without him."
"What if he got into a car accident?" Kitty tried not to worry, but if Eric said he would be someplace he would be there. He wasn't the type to not show up or to arrive fashionably late.
"Did you try calling that dumbass son of ours?"
"Yes at both of his numbers." But she left him voice mail.
"Remind me when I see him to kick his ass. That's where we went wrong with Eric, Kitty, we didn't kick his ass enough."
"Oh, I think you.." Kitty trailed her words off she didn't like how Red was heavy handed with Eric. It always took her soothing words and homemade chocolate chip cookies with a big happy face glass of milk to make it all better. She hoped wherever her son was that he was all right. She was going to have a lousy evening anyway wondering about his whereabouts because it wasn't like Eric to not call.
Later that night
Radio DJ voice: Welcome to Kenosha Dance Party on WI94FM coming to you live from Club Sapphire.Where you twenty years ago when disco was king, pants were tight, and you didn't want to take Carrie White to the prom. Or maybe you did, if all that pig blood turned you on...Here's a track from that wonder group from Sweden ABBA in a track from 1976-can you hear the drums "Fernando"? Where were you in 1976? What were you doing? And whose lips were you kissing?
Eric left his "date" for the evening drunk on tequila ready to pass out on her bar stool. That wasn't his problem. Was he supposed to be somewhere else tonight? He wasn't sure. It couldn't have been that important if he didn't remember.
"Hey, Eric, over here," called Abe, "Where's Jillian?"
"Getting drunk at the bar." He replied with no concern in his voice as he drank from his beer bottle.
"Are we ready for business?"
"Oh, yeah," Eric tried to block the song playing over every single loudspeaker, thinking of another night coming home from another disco the one they demolished here in 1983.
Someone came up to them and whispered in Eric's ear. Use of the back room was one hundred dollars for fifteen minutes.
"Since you got the stuff, Eric. This sessions on me." Abe said as they and two other friends from work went with them.
There was something in the air that night and the stars were surely bright. (note-added 'surely' to not use the actual song lyrics)
"I'm very worried about Eric, it's not like him to not phone." Kitty said to Hyde, on the little cell phone Eric bought for her when he got them the trip to California. She lied to Red and told him she had to use the ladies room.
"I have no idea on where he is, Mrs. Forman." And she was right it wasn't like him.
"If you hear from him tonight will you tell him to call me?"
"Of course. Enjoy your dinner Mrs. Forman, I'm sure Forman is okay. He's probably sulking at home over Donna." Now he was going to have spend the better part of tomorrow phoning the dill hole and tell him to call home as if he were three years old! F***ing idiot, thought Hyde.
**************************************************************************** ****************
Much later
After a balancing act in the men's room, Eric washed his hands letting the hot water scald his hands. He looked up and into the mirror where he saw the light trail of blood coming down his nose. Eric Forman: All-American.
Where were you in 1976? What were you doing? And whose lips were you kissing?