Before you begin, be aware that this is a forbidden ship – Jackie and Eric. . This is just a story about two friends finding each other.
-2-
Halloween 1979
Eric was smiling when he discovered there were two packages from Wisconsin at the postmaster's office. One was the typical brown paper wrapped box from his mother but the larger box was covered with bright zebra paper and his name in huge letters. The postmaster winked when he pushed the large box across the counter. "You have good friend in US?" he asked.
Eric grinned and replied, "I do now!"
He tossed his room key on the coffee table and set Kitty's care package on the couch. The black and white striped box was a mystery. It was obvious that Jackie sent it, he recognized her handwriting. What did she send him? Mentally he was rubbing his hands together. This was a little like Christmas. He would open his mother's package first and save the huge box for later.
Eric bit into a chewy chocolate chip cookie while reading his mom's letter from home. Good old mom – always sending homemade cookies – little did Kitty know that sometimes he would share them with his class. The third graders loved the treats and the idea that they came from America made them very special cookies. She included some new socks, a roll of stamps, some shaving cream and a jar of acne cream. He groaned inwardly – acne cream? Oh, mom really!
Eric went about his daily after work routine – washing up, making dinner – grading papers while the zebra box sat on the table like a sentinel.
Wait a minute - what did Jackie sent him? Was this going to be some kind of major burn that she would use to get back at him? Was there something that would pop out and make him yell? He remembered the time he gave her the jar of peanuts that was actually a coiled fake snake that jumped out at her when the lid came off. She screamed for days and stayed out of the basement for a week. Eric remembered that was an excellent burn!
Finally curiosity got the better of him. He pulled her letter envelope from the top of the package and quickly opened it. Again, it smelled of cherry and vanilla – this was fast becoming his favorite scent.
"Dear Eric …Well, I took it upon myself to get you some supplies that no man should be without in a foreign country…. Love Jackie!
Eric smiled at the idea of Jackie laboring over books about Africa. She probably spent more time looking at the advertisements in Cosmo. He chuckled at his own joke while opening the cardboard box. Closing his eyes, he reached in and pulled out the first thing he could touch with his hands. It was a package containing something soft. He opened his eyes he was shocked, it was twin sheets and a pillow case. What the hell? There was a note attached. Eric, don't dismiss this gift – until you have slept on 300 count threaded sheets, you have not had good nights sleep. Jackie.
Eric looked over at his cotton covered cot – new sheets? Eh- that wasn't so bad. He decided to keep his eyes open this time. Much to his delight there were six issues of new Spiderman comics! Score! He reached back in and pulled out a box of Slim Jims. Score! A long tube contained a Star Wars Death Star poster. Score again – Way to go Jackie! She thoughtfully included some Jolly Ranchers and a bag of Cheetohs.
Eric was amazed at the thoughtfulness of each item she had packed for him. The sheets were "if-y" but at least they were clean and he hadn't done any laundry yet! Eric picked up the box to use for trash and found a slim envelope sliding around the bottom. It had to be photos. She warned him she would be sending some.
Bemused, he opened the cover and found a picture of a smiling Jackie standing with Kitty, both covered in flour. This must have been a cooking lesson. It was nice to see the Forman kitchen. His mom had been laughing and had an arm around Jackie's waist and the young girl was waving at the camera.
The next photo was a picture of Fez working in his favorite candy store. Jelly beans of every color surrounded him. His foreign friend looked like he was in Heaven.
A third picture was rare indeed – Red was actually smiling – it was genuine and made Eric really miss his dad. Jackie had captured his father in an extraordinary moment of the "family man reading his paper and drinking a beer" – being happy.
There were a couple old pictures of the gang that Eric had never seen before. Kelso and Hyde were leaning back against Steven's El Camino grinning like lunatics; Donna and Jackie were wearing bathing suits and drinking grape soda. Eric stopped to touch the picture of Donna. He shook his head – reminiscing was good but he had a test to give in the morning and needed a good nights sleep. He may have fallen asleep dreaming about Donna but his body was thanking Jackie for the amazing pillowcase and sheets!
November 1979
Jackie
First I must thank you for the wonderful package. I didn't realize how much I missed Cheetohs! I put the Star Wars poster on my ceiling so I can see it at night – May the Force be with me – ha ha. Oh, and the sheets are great – you were right, of course and I don't want you to gloat so let's just say thanks, okay?
I don't know if Donna mentioned this, but in my last letter to her we basically agreed that she needs to move on. If Randy is the guy who makes her happy, I don't want to stand in the way. (Is he really man-pretty like my mom thinks?)
This may be a sore subject with you, but is Hyde still married to the Stripper? He doesn't write and Mom doesn't say much. I don't think Red is happy with the situation. Thanks for the pictures – I missed seeing Kelso's face. I think it's appropriate that he kept the stupid helmet. (But, then of course Kelso wore it the most!)
Okay Omelet Queen, what new dish did my Mom teach you this week? Please don't let her teach you Sloppy Joes. Your stomach will hate you for it. But, don't tell her I said anything okay?
Next week my sponsor is moving me to a new location in Port Elizabeth on the Indian Ocean. There has been some hostile activity outside the school lately and the US Consulate thought I would be safe closer to a main city. I'll give my mom the address next time I call home.
Well my friend, take care!
Love Eric
November 1979
Jackie found the letter in her mailbox and raced up to her second floor apartment. Compared to good shoe sale, Eric's letters were something she really looked forward to. He loved the sheets – she knew he would – and she loved the idea that she could bring beauty to a straw hut thousands of miles across the globe.
Why did he have to bring up the subject of Steven and his Stripper Skank? Jackie couldn't get any basement time. Either Sam was down there watching soap operas or Steven was having a single circle party. It was sad and she was halfway glad that Eric couldn't see how miserable his friend was.
Jackie smiled at the mention of Sloppy Joes. Kitty had already tried to make her eat one and though she politely refused, she ended up choking one down to make Red happy. Later he told her that if he had to eat it, everyone has to eat and to thank Kitty for making such a fine meal.
He signed it "Love Eric" – the last letter said "Fondly Eric". Just the simple twist of words made her feel better. She knew he would ask about Donna in a roundabout way but she didn't want to upset the skinny nerd. Donna was the love of his life for ever and ever, but it was obvious that they were growing apart. That was how she was feeling about Steven. Asshole! Why did the ones we love treat us like garbage? Why did we let them?
Jackie refolded the letter and put it in her nightstand with the other. Pen pals – who would have thought the Cheerleader and the Star Wars geek, would be friends?
