Author Note: Welcome back my favorite readers! So nice to see you are interested in yet another Jackie/Eric fiction! This is different and after trying a Donna/Eric story, I'll stay with what I'm comfortable with. Enjoy!
___________________
Chapter 02 – I Think I Killed Him
"Hyde, what a surprise – I wasn't expecting to hear from you. What's up buddy?" Eric asked over the phone.
"Sam and I got married or should I say remarried." His friend relayed across the miles.
"Why would you do that?" Eric asked puzzled.
"Well, she was a good wife – she always put up with my shit and hey, she's a stripper. It's like winning the freaking Trifecta! She divorced the old bum she was married to and now she's single or should I say she's Mrs. Samantha Hyde."
Eric didn't know what to think of this. Hyde divorced Sam and now remarried her? Was that allowed?
"Man, I need you to ship my stuff to me. I'm staying in Vegas with Sam. I tried to call your folks but I think they're on another cruise. Grab a pen and I'll give you the address."
Eric hung up the phone. Could a remarriage be the key to happiness? Hyde did sound like he was happy. Maybe he would call Donna this weekend. Wait, his folks were on another cruise? Since when did they start taking cruises?
The world was spinning and all Eric had to do was jump on.
*
Jackie stood outside the Happy Day's Hotel and smiled. Where were Fonzie and Richie and Potsie? What a terrible name for such a beautiful hotel! Situated on the waterfront shores of Lake Michigan, the 15 story hotel was perfect from the outside.
Jackie like the covered entrance with the huge fireplace visible from outside – Come In – Get Warm – Spend the night! It seemed to say to her. She threw her handbag over her shoulder and grabbed her day planner. Time to get down to business!
She entered the large lobby with big glass windows and a fountain and approved of the side vestibule with the fireplace. Large comfy chairs and a loveseat were set around a low table and it leant towards a quiet place to confer or relax.
The check-in counter was neat and efficient. She liked the sound her high heels made as they click clacked on the glossy tiled floors. She set her bag on the counter and waited to see how long it took for the associate to notice she was waiting. Ten seconds – give the girl an A!
"Hello, I'm Jackie Burkhart and I'm an Events Coordinator. I'd like to speak to someone about booking parties in this hotel."
"Yes Miss Burkhart." The girl paused and turned back. "You do weddings don't you?"
Jackie's lips curled into a smile. 'Why yes I do."
"My sister got married and had her reception at Royal Suites and it was a kickass party!" The young girl admitted.
Jackie blushed. "Well thank you – I like all of my parties to be unforgettable."
*
Jackie only had to wait a few minutes before the oldest man in the world hobbled to the lobby. He held out a wrinkled hand. "Miss Burkhart. What a pleasure. I have heard of you." He said shaking her fingers.
Jackie cringed inwardly. This guy looked like Ichabod Crane from Sleepy Hollow. She discreetly wiped her hand on her pants. "I didn't get your name." she said.
"Bram Carver. I've been the manager here at Lake Michigan – er, Happy Day's Hotel for the last 20 years. How can I help you?"
Jackie didn't think this old man would be capable of giving her the tour she actually needed so she had think of how to wear him out before they left the lobby!
"Well, Bram. May I call you Bram? As you know, April brings parties – baby showers, school proms, then there are May dances and class reunions, and June brings weddings, graduations and get-togethers. I book them all and I need to see your banquet rooms, your kitchen, your bridal suites, your first class rooms, I'm looking for an outdoor garden and access to the lake, your available parking and how many limos' can be fit out front without disrupting your regular guest traffic…"
"Miss Burkhart – please stop talking!" Mr. Carver begged. "I don't have the energy to keep up with you. Please have a seat in the lobby and I'll get someone to help you."
Mission Accomplished! Jackie mentally clapped her hands.
*
"You – the new guy!" Bram said bursting into the back office. "I need you to help out a potential customer. And be very nice to her. She could be important to this hotel."
Eric stood up and grinned. He truly needed a break from the ledger audit. "Where is she?"
Bram pointed a gnarly finger in the direction of the lobby. "I left her by the fireplace." Eric tugged on his vest and tidied his hair and set out down the long hallway towards the front of the hotel.
*
Jackie paced the length of the lobby from the door to the elevator measuring the distance in high heels and then barefoot. A bride should have no problem navigating the 30 feet from the limo to the elevator.
She heard someone say, "Can I help you?" She whirled around with her shoes still in her hand. "Eric? What are you doing here?"
*
Eric looked towards the fireplace and only saw a ladies purse but no lady. He turned and saw the back of a female walking barefoot across the tile floors. He put on his best work smile and said, "Can I help you?"
The girl turned and he blinked. "Jackie? What are you doing here?" Her shoes clattered to the floor. "God, you startled me! I thought you worked nights."
Eric stepped over and helped her balance while she slid back into her heels. "I do, but the day guy had an emergency."
"I'm working. I needed someone to give me a tour."
"What kind of tour?" Eric asked unsure if he wanted to really know the answer. Jackie smiled, "I told you that I'm Event Coordinator. I need to see everything and I don't think Bram could handle my request."
Eric looked at her suspiciously, 'I don't think even I could handle your request."
Jackie swatted him on the arm. "Don't be silly. Just get a set of master keys and let's go for a walk!"
*
Eric had to admit that he was enjoying playing Jackie's tour guide. She wrote furious notes in her day planner and asked appropriate questions and was appreciative of the hotel's prices. Eric gave her copies of the banquet hall layouts and dimensions and after they suited up, he took her outside to show her the lawn and access to the lake.
She looked so pretty standing on the lawn with gentle snowflakes falling on her dark hair. "So if the guests want to br-bring a boat, can you provide a temporary d- dock?"
Eric shook his head. "I'm sorry, what?"
Jackie walked over, "A temporary dock. Th-that's if my party wants to bring a b-boat." Eric looked at where she was pointing.
"Yes, we can arrange it, but we'd need a couple of weeks advance notice. Hey, you're freezing, let's check out the parking garage – at least it's out of the snow."
Jackie's teeth were chattering. "Th-thanks Eric, I was t-trying to be professional." He smiled and put a friendly arm around her shoulders. "Jackie, as far as I know, you are always professional."
*
The kitchens were large and clean with plenty of room for additional caterers. The sub-zero freezers were perfect – Jackie was very pleased. She looked at her list and found they had pretty much covered everything except the rooms.
"I need to see the Bridal Suite."
Eric winced. Bridal Suite made his think of his failed marriage. "Sure, it's the penthouse floor. We also have a private elevator for that room."
Jackie grinned, "Good, I can charge extra!" She flashed him a smile and stepped into the elevator while Eric pushed the "P" button for the top floor. It was a smooth fast ride to the top and the door opened with a ding onto a beautiful carpeted foyer. There were some statues of cherubs and angels playing harps.
Eric unlocked the double doors and let them fall open. Jackie removed her shoes and was instantly three inches shorter. She stepped into the luxurious carpet and twirled around. "Eric this is beautiful!" He stepped into the room and had to agree. It was his first time up here because frankly he tried to avoid anything relating to marriages.
Jackie bounced on the bed checking for firmness, and looked at the view from the window, all the while making her little notes. She disappeared into the bathroom and Eric could hear the toilet flush and the tap water running and then she ran the tub.
"Does the TV get porn?"
Eric blinked, "What? Porn? You mean dirty movies?"
Jackie smiled cheekily, "Yes, sometimes they ask me and I need to know."
Eric was flustered. "Well, I'll have to check and get back to you on that." Jackie patted him on the cheek. "Don't be embarrassed. It's not like you haven't watched porn before!"
"Okay, we are done in this room." Eric huffed. Jackie only giggled and went back to the foyer to put on her shoes.
*
Bram was waiting in the lobby for Miss Burkhart's return. The elevator doors dinged open and Jackie cringed when she saw the skeleton man waving at her. "God Eric, I swear he gives me the creeps." She whispered as they stepped of the elevator.
With a low voice, Eric replied, "I think Scooby Doo and Shaggy have finally found Old Man Smithers" Jackie bumped him with her shoulder and giggled, "Don't make me laugh, I'm working!"
Eric grinned and handed the key ring back to his supervisor. "All done sir!" Eric waved goodbye and headed back to his office. Jackie followed Bram over to the lobby and took a seat on a chair.
"Did you find everything up to your standards?" The old man asked. Jackie opened her day planner. "I loved the penthouse suite. I have my own caterers, can you free up a freezer on event days? I also have my own cleaning crew so I don't know if there is going to be an access problem. Can I get a set of extra keys for the crew?"
While the lovely Miss Burkhart was talking – incessantly talking – Bram could feel a tingling in his arm. Hmm – he hadn't felt tingling for years! She was still talking when he felt a weight on his chest. She was still asking questions as he slipped to the floor gripping his left arm and landed with a grunt and a thud.
Jackie closed her day planner and noticed Bram was lying on the floor clutching his chest. "Bram? Are you okay?"
Bram smiled thinly and groaned. Jackie looked up at the counter. "Excuse me! Miss! I think something is wrong with your boss!" The young girl looked over to see Bram lying on floor. Still very efficient, she pressed a button under the desk and called Security.
Jackie waited to see how long it took for Security to arrive. Ten seconds – give the girl another A for efficiency! Minutes later an ambulance and fire truck arrived with red lights flashing. Eric came out of his office when he heard all the commotion – he saw a fireman talking to Jackie while an EMT was performing CPR on Bram.
Eric pressed through the medical workers, "Jackie, what happened?" He touched her on the shoulder. She turned around and tears were filling her eyes. "Eric, I think I killed Bram!"
*