While Eric and Jackie were out on their first date, Donna was reading Eric's letter. At first Donna was beyond mad. Eric was in a sense breaking up with her again. However, reading it a second time she realized this was Eric being Eric. Even though she had hurt him by cheating him, he just wanted her to be happy. Donna resolved to not be angry anymore. She had been angry since her mom left. Samantha was someone who could relate to her with her mom leaving. Oh my god I relating to a stripper. I ruined my best friendship and hurt the best man I know. What have I done?
Donna decided to take Eric's advice and go off to school next semester. She had to find Randy and talk to him. She wanted to go to NYU and leave Wisconsin behind and start over in the big city but not without Randy. He reminded her of Eric only he was bigger and stronger. She needed someone bigger than Eric she could easily dominate Eric. Maybe that's why she had always pushed him around.
Donna sucked it up and called Randy. Randy of course eagerly came over to see Donna. Donna told Randy all about Eric and how she had cheated on him with Randy. She wanted to make a fresh start with Randy.
Randy took in everything Donna was saying. He had no ties to Wisconsin. He actually was from New York by way of Iowa. He was born in Iowa but when his parents split he went to New York with his mom. He graduated high school and headed out for an adventure. He had intended on returning to New York when he was done.
Donna was excited that Randy was ok with going to New York. She told her parents what she wanted to do. At first they were shocked that she and Eric had broken up. They had always hoped they would be together forever. Her parents didn't want her to leave home but realized she was on her life journey and had to let her go. Just like Red and Kitty had let Eric go.
Donna decided to write Eric back:
Dear Eric,
You are still a dill hole for how things ended between us. Of course I will be your friend. I guess I really had to know things were over between us before I could move on. You were my first love and probably the best guy a girl could want for a first boyfriend or maybe even her last boyfriend. I have decided to move on to NYU. I am applying and if accepted then Randy and I will move in with his mom on Long Island so I can go to school. He is a sweet guy and treats me well. You two would be friends if and when you meet. I am sorry if I hurt you but I guess we just grew apart. Find some happiness. Do you know where Jackie is? I need to apologize to her but nobody has seen or heard from her in a couple months.
You're friend,
Donna
Donna of course had to break the news that she would be leaving for school once she was accepted. Hyde, Fez, Kelso didn't take it so well. They were losing another friend. Not so much losing but another one was leaving the group. Kelso less so since he was generally busy with Brooke and Betsy. He of course was happy for his friend Big D.
Hyde's mood only got worse with announcement that Donna was leaving. He and Samantha were having issues and fighting almost all the time. Then came the announcement that Samantha was actually still married to someone else and she left. He was abandoned again.
Hyde started drinking more. His bitterness was driving away his oldest friends. Eventually Hyde was walking home one day when it started raining. He took shelter from the rain. He realized where he was, he was standing in a church. The padre approached him and said "Son I can see you are angry and turning to Alcohol to bury that anger. That won't fix your problem."
"What do you know about my problems?"
"More than you think. I was like you in my younger years. I am not saying you need to become a priest. But if you would like I would like to help you release that anger."
"How do you know I am angry?"
"Because I was you in my youth. You made a mistake and it keeps tormenting you. Let me help you as my pay it forward. A man named Leo helped me some 20 years ago. I see him sometimes in my church."
Leo had helped Hyde in the past but wasn't certain about having this Padre help him. He figured if Leo had helped him then he should let him try. "Fine Padre, give it a go!"
"I am glad you have decided to take my help young man. Now what I do will be different than what Leo did with me because you and I are both different than Leo and I were back then. Tonight I would like you to make a list of things that have happened to make you angry. I know you have better things to do but I must know so I can help."
"Fine Padre. I will be back tomorrow afternoon." Hyde didn't let him answer and headed back to the basement.
