This is just a story about two friends finding each other.
-3-
December 1979
Dear Eric,
Glad to hear you have a nicer apartment in your new town. I'll miss the idea of you living in a hut with the natives. But, that's just me! I am moving also! Fez is not the best roommate and I was getting tired of watching his parade of endless girlfriends. He is still such a perv!
Back to me - I'm moving into a condo that's half the distance between your parent's house and Brooke and Kelso's. It makes my drive to work less of a drive. I've been promoted to Script Supervisor for the television station – yay Jackie!
Donna must have taken the break up pretty well – she and Randy are moving in together somewhere in Madison. I heard she is doing very well at the newspaper and is near the top of her class at school. I know you are proud of her even though you guys aren't married or whatever your relationship is. (Or isn't – kind of like me and Steven. God I hate him!)
I don't know how they celebrate Christmas in South Africa but here are some goodies for your students. Make sure you show them my picture so they'll know that Jackie Burkhart sent them, okay?
Oh, and Eric? The Hershey Kisses are for you!
Merry Christmas!
Love Jackie
Christmas 1979
Eric was feeling homesick for the first time since he came to Africa. There was no snow falling on the ground, no Mom baking in the kitchen. He missed Donna but not as much as he did in the beginning. He longed for something familiar and found that the pictures Jackie mailed him were the closet thing he had to being home.
Her package arrived yesterday morning and he was grateful for the cinnamon scented candle that reminded him of cookies. She also mailed some thick, soft bath towels, disposable razors and a name brand shaving cream his mother would never buy. Jackie sent the luxuries and Kitty sent the necessities.
When he saw the huge bag of assorted candies, he knew his students would love the treats. The chocolate kisses were definitely staying in the apartment. Bless this girl. He looked at his watch – it was noon his time and around 7:00 p.m in Point Place. Dinner would have been over and he could see his mom washing dishes and baking a pie.
This was going to be one of the rare phone calls he had to make – it would be an expensive long distance call but totally worth it.
Point Place – Christmas 1979
"Honey, that roaster pan goes in the bottom shelf" Kitty hollered over her shoulder. The telephone started ringing and she looked around for a dry towel. "Oh - Red! Get the phone!" There was some mumblings from the living room and Kitty shook her head sadly.
"I'll get it Mrs. Forman." A slender hand picked up the receiver, "Merry Christmas, the Forman residence."
Eric was confused, was that Hyde's wife? "Who is this?"
"Who is this? And I said Merry Christmas you pig. I'm hanging up now!"
Eric realized who it was and started laughing. It could only be the Devil! "Jackie – it's me, Eric, don't hang up!"
Jackie was so surprised she almost dropped the receiver. "It's Eric." Kitty looked at the young girl in disbelief and then squealed so loud and excitedly that Red came in from the living room. "What's going on in here?" He grumbled noisily.
Jackie's smiled widely, "Eric's calling from Africa Mr. Forman. He called you on Christmas Day!" Jackie could swear she almost saw Red Forman crack a smile. He moved to sit at the table for his turn to talk to his son. Steven and Sam came up from the basement to see what all the commotion was about and Red waved Hyde back with "It's nothing to worry about Steven, Kitty just gets excited on Christmas."
The mismatched couple descended to the basement, Red smiled. He knew that Jackie would leave if Steven was hanging around upstairs. He much preferred the Loud One to that one that called herself Hyde's Wife. Jackie kept Kitty happy and busy and if Kitty was busy then Red could relax.
"Red, Red honey he wants to talk to you" Kitty was wiping tears from her eyes and hugged Jackie. "My baby misses me. Oh, I'm so happy!" Jackie was happy for her and could see pride on Red's face. She also wondered if Eric would have time to say hello to her as well.
Red cleared his throat, "Well, don't be a dumbass and ride on an elephant! Yeah… you too, here's Jackie." Red thrust the receiver into Jackie's hand. "Hello?" she said tentatively.
"Jackie oink oink – Merry Christmas – how are you Devil Girl?" Eric could picture her sitting at the kitchen table in his old home. He envied her at that moment. "Eric, I apologize for calling you a pig – I wasn't even supposed to get the phone but your mom was busy."
"Hey, its okay – I'm glad you were there – I was afraid you might have been Samantha and I don't know her very well. Did you have a nice Christmas?"
Jackie held onto the telephone like it was a lifeline. Her friend was talking to her across the miles in real time. There was no two week lag between conversations. He asked questions about his friends that Kitty would never answer and Jackie asked questions about his school that no one ever seemed interested in. Eric felt relieved to finally have a real friend that he could talk to. Hearing Jackie's voice was exciting and soothing at the same time – she still conveyed that cheerleader bossiness he was used to, but there was a maturity in her tone that he found calming. "I'm sorry what did you say?"
Jackie smiled, "When do you come home?" she asked again.
Eric fumbled – that was a subject that was never brought up – hell he hadn't even thought about when he was going home or even if he was. "Jackie, I honestly can't answer that. I still have eight months to fill the scholarship requirements and then I can stay here or apply at the University of Wisconsin. You are the first person to ask me that."
"Well, I just want you to know that if you decide to go to U of W – I have a spare room that you can use. I mean instead of spending money on a dorm. I mean – you're my friend – I want to help you if you need anything."
Eric was taken aback by the offer. The self-centered midget was growing up – in previous years she wouldn't have helped him unless it was to push him off the water tower or there was something in it for her! This was not the girl he remembered but he liked it. "Jackie, you will be the first person I talk to when I make my decision, okay?"
There was a smile in her voice when she replied, "Okay. Hey, - Eric? Good night and Merry Christmas to you!"
Eric hung up the payphone and slumped back against the glass wall. Who would have thought that Jackie would say all of the things he longed for Donna to have said. Donna would never have been interested in his students and would have complained how the distance was complicating their relationship. In a crazy way, he was relieved that they broke up – she had places to go and people to see. He just wanted to help people and make a difference in the world in his own way. Jackie…wow!
