Summer 1974-A Madison Amusement Park
I honestly can't remember who's suggestion it was to go to that cheezy Madison amusement park, though something tells me Jackie had a hand in the whole thing. She seems to have a knack to find this kinda thing and drag us all along, though it actually turned out to be quite fun. And this in spite of having to see her hang all over Kelso to make sure the feather haired idiot didn't end up walking aimlessly off, leaving us to spend the day searching for him. Frankly either of those results wouldn't have been desirable, but I'll still take a clingy Jackie to a lost Kelso anyday of the week. I mean, who knows what a runaway Kelso might get into, but that's beside the point.
Anyway...we spent much of the morning just wandering around checking things out. Hyde and Kelso got involved in one of those games where you try to shoot water into a bottle, where whoever shoots the most into said bottle wins. Kelso figured he'd be able to win a stuffed animal for Jackie, but all he ended up getting was water all over his clothes when Hyde (quite predictably really) turned and hosed Kelso down with the water from his gun. Kelso was only able to respond with a pitiful "Ow! My Eye!", while the rest of us snickered. Other than that, things were pretty dull until we decided to ride the ferris wheel. Kelso and Jackie saw this as the perfect opportunity to make out, with Jackie comparing the ferris wheel to a vacation at Disney World. Eric immediately chickened out of going on the ride, muttering something about Red jumping out of rides on him when he was younger, freaking him out. We all got a good laugh out of that, and figured it was for the best anyway as the ride for was pairs anyway. Didn't wanna get stuck with the old greasy looking drunk that was occupying the only other empty seat on the ride. So the pairs were set, Jackie and Kelso, and me and Hyde. So just before the ride started we leaped into our seats and got strapped in and we were off...
One thing we hadn't counted on though was reaching the very top of the ferris wheel before it came to a screeching halt. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no wuss; however grinding to a screeching halt thirty feet in the air can be rather disconcerting. Found a fear of heights I never even knew I'd had, and within seconds I started panicking. Hyde noticed this, and rather than starting in on the predicted burns, he actually made some attempts to comfort me. He started out using a soft gentle voice to tell me that everything would be fine, and that we'd be off the ride in no time. Realizing this was having little effect, he put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close in yet another uncharacteristic, attempt at comfort. Neither of us counted on the position getting a little too cozy, causing the entire atmosphere of the hug to change within minutes of becoming trapped. Getting caught up in the moment, Hyde started to lean in and kissed me softly. I was content with this as it was comforting and familiar, not to mention took my mind off our current dilemma. However, before I realized what was happening, he took control of the kiss and started to deepen it. I don't know how to explain my reaction to this, even to this day...think it was due to a whole unresolved bag of emotions, along with the stress of being trapped, but I pulled away angrily and slapped him yet again. Maybe it'd just become habit for me to slap him after the kisses...easier to express my anger toward him, than face my own reaction to the kisses, but that's another story... After the slap I shouted furiously at him, "I was looking for comfort! That wasn't an excuse to start making out with me!" Hyde just looked at me with a wounded expression on his face, trying to assume a zen expression but failing. Before he could get a single word out though, the ride finally started up again.
We rode the ride to the ground in silence, each of us ignoring the presence of the other outside of a few glances from Hyde toward me when he thought I wasn't looking. Finally, we got off the ride and onto firm land again...never was I happier than I was in that single moment. Might've even kissed the cement if I didn't think it would make me look like the square I knew I was...next time I think I'll stick with Eric, on solid ground. Kelso and Jackie were already off the ride, holding hands and exchanging small pecks as they waited for us to catch up with them before meeting Eric at the concession stands.
The four of us walked toward the concessions, looking for Eric. We almost walked right by him when he called us over, his hands full with a cotton candy and a small teddy bear. He handed me the teddy once we reached him with a gallant sounding, "For you milady." The first words out of my mouth were, "Oh Eric! That's so sweet! You won him just for me!" as I hugged the teddy tightly. His actions had taken me a little by surprise, and I found it really sweet, even for Eric. Especially with both Kelso and Hyde around, who always seemed to be looking for a good burn. Surprisingly neither took the bait, Kelso was too busy bickering with Jackie, who was whining about why he never did that sort of thing for her, and Hyde just stood there silently, looking at the ground dejectly, as he had ever since we'd gotten off the ferris wheel. I added a quiet, "Thank you." before leaning in to hug him, as he grinned like the village idiot.
At that point, I tossed a quick glance in Hyde's direction feeling an emotion that I still wasn't prepared to acknowledge, let alone examine in the light of day. Now as I look back on it, I realize it was a feeling of regret at what might have been, if only I'd given him and us, a chance. Luckily though, once again, time and circumstance proved me wrong in thinking it was over. Boy, did it ever prove me wrong...That day though, I pushed the feeling aside as we all decided we'd had enough 'fun' for one day and started heading home.
I honestly can't remember who's suggestion it was to go to that cheezy Madison amusement park, though something tells me Jackie had a hand in the whole thing. She seems to have a knack to find this kinda thing and drag us all along, though it actually turned out to be quite fun. And this in spite of having to see her hang all over Kelso to make sure the feather haired idiot didn't end up walking aimlessly off, leaving us to spend the day searching for him. Frankly either of those results wouldn't have been desirable, but I'll still take a clingy Jackie to a lost Kelso anyday of the week. I mean, who knows what a runaway Kelso might get into, but that's beside the point.
Anyway...we spent much of the morning just wandering around checking things out. Hyde and Kelso got involved in one of those games where you try to shoot water into a bottle, where whoever shoots the most into said bottle wins. Kelso figured he'd be able to win a stuffed animal for Jackie, but all he ended up getting was water all over his clothes when Hyde (quite predictably really) turned and hosed Kelso down with the water from his gun. Kelso was only able to respond with a pitiful "Ow! My Eye!", while the rest of us snickered. Other than that, things were pretty dull until we decided to ride the ferris wheel. Kelso and Jackie saw this as the perfect opportunity to make out, with Jackie comparing the ferris wheel to a vacation at Disney World. Eric immediately chickened out of going on the ride, muttering something about Red jumping out of rides on him when he was younger, freaking him out. We all got a good laugh out of that, and figured it was for the best anyway as the ride for was pairs anyway. Didn't wanna get stuck with the old greasy looking drunk that was occupying the only other empty seat on the ride. So the pairs were set, Jackie and Kelso, and me and Hyde. So just before the ride started we leaped into our seats and got strapped in and we were off...
One thing we hadn't counted on though was reaching the very top of the ferris wheel before it came to a screeching halt. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no wuss; however grinding to a screeching halt thirty feet in the air can be rather disconcerting. Found a fear of heights I never even knew I'd had, and within seconds I started panicking. Hyde noticed this, and rather than starting in on the predicted burns, he actually made some attempts to comfort me. He started out using a soft gentle voice to tell me that everything would be fine, and that we'd be off the ride in no time. Realizing this was having little effect, he put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close in yet another uncharacteristic, attempt at comfort. Neither of us counted on the position getting a little too cozy, causing the entire atmosphere of the hug to change within minutes of becoming trapped. Getting caught up in the moment, Hyde started to lean in and kissed me softly. I was content with this as it was comforting and familiar, not to mention took my mind off our current dilemma. However, before I realized what was happening, he took control of the kiss and started to deepen it. I don't know how to explain my reaction to this, even to this day...think it was due to a whole unresolved bag of emotions, along with the stress of being trapped, but I pulled away angrily and slapped him yet again. Maybe it'd just become habit for me to slap him after the kisses...easier to express my anger toward him, than face my own reaction to the kisses, but that's another story... After the slap I shouted furiously at him, "I was looking for comfort! That wasn't an excuse to start making out with me!" Hyde just looked at me with a wounded expression on his face, trying to assume a zen expression but failing. Before he could get a single word out though, the ride finally started up again.
We rode the ride to the ground in silence, each of us ignoring the presence of the other outside of a few glances from Hyde toward me when he thought I wasn't looking. Finally, we got off the ride and onto firm land again...never was I happier than I was in that single moment. Might've even kissed the cement if I didn't think it would make me look like the square I knew I was...next time I think I'll stick with Eric, on solid ground. Kelso and Jackie were already off the ride, holding hands and exchanging small pecks as they waited for us to catch up with them before meeting Eric at the concession stands.
The four of us walked toward the concessions, looking for Eric. We almost walked right by him when he called us over, his hands full with a cotton candy and a small teddy bear. He handed me the teddy once we reached him with a gallant sounding, "For you milady." The first words out of my mouth were, "Oh Eric! That's so sweet! You won him just for me!" as I hugged the teddy tightly. His actions had taken me a little by surprise, and I found it really sweet, even for Eric. Especially with both Kelso and Hyde around, who always seemed to be looking for a good burn. Surprisingly neither took the bait, Kelso was too busy bickering with Jackie, who was whining about why he never did that sort of thing for her, and Hyde just stood there silently, looking at the ground dejectly, as he had ever since we'd gotten off the ferris wheel. I added a quiet, "Thank you." before leaning in to hug him, as he grinned like the village idiot.
At that point, I tossed a quick glance in Hyde's direction feeling an emotion that I still wasn't prepared to acknowledge, let alone examine in the light of day. Now as I look back on it, I realize it was a feeling of regret at what might have been, if only I'd given him and us, a chance. Luckily though, once again, time and circumstance proved me wrong in thinking it was over. Boy, did it ever prove me wrong...That day though, I pushed the feeling aside as we all decided we'd had enough 'fun' for one day and started heading home.