Author Note: Author apologizes for excessive use of song lyrics but they are purposeful so I left them in.
Chapter 17 – Lost in a Crowd
While Jackie was getting lost in the crowded convention and the populace of Chicago – Eric was lost without her. If he had a great thought or observation he usually just picked up the phone and shared it with her. Fez didn't get it or Kelso was too busy to think about. Eric was missing his friend.
Eric got home Friday night after a hectic week at work. He spent most of his evenings hanging out with Fez or watching ladies wrestling on TV. The boredom got to the point where he was almost ready to call his folks just to say hi. Then Fez asked him what song he was going to sing tomorrow and Eric drew a blank. "How am I supposed to sing when I'm on a date with someone I don't even know?"
"Well, if you don't sing something then I will tell my Goddess and you will end up singing another horrible duet next month, "Fez warned his friend. Eric sighed, "All right, I'll find something but I'm getting really, really drunk before I get up there."
Fez clapped him on the shoulder, "That's the spirit my friend and then you won't remember it in the morning!"
*
The complimentary day at the spa was just what the doctor ordered. Jackie hadn't been this relaxed in a long time. All the knots in her neck were expertly massaged and the facial was perfect. She was laying back in bed watching a made for TV romance movie – finally getting her head in a place where the stress was gone.
Maybe because it was habit, Jackie dialed Eric's number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Did I wake you?" she asked softly.
"No, no – I'm glad you called! " Jackie could hear a lamp switch on. "Are you still in Chicago?"
"Yeah, I don't fly out until Sunday. Tell Fez I got him the candy wedding cake toppers. How are your folks?"
"They're good – Dad ate all the beef he took home with him."
Jackie giggled. "I can't believe he smuggled it home in his suitcase." She heard Eric chuckle on the other end of the telephone line. "Yeah, mom was pissed because the barbecue sauce ruined the lining of the suitcase."
There was a pause before Jackie asked, "How have you been?"
"Well, I think hanging out with Fez is corrupting me. I'm actually starting to like lady wrestling on TV."
"No!" she scoffed laughing. "I can't imagine you and Fez watching that together – it's more of a solo show for him."
Eric laughed, "Well he does make popcorn…."
Jackie sat up against the headboard. "Are you still going tomorrow night?"
"Yeah, but I'm getting really drunk. Your friend set me up with a blind date."
"Eric, that's great! I'm sure you're going to have a good time. Do you have a song yet?"
"No, I'm still thinking about it. Hey, how are Brooke and Kelso going to get home?"
"Brooke has a key to my apartment. They'll crash there like they did last month. Damn, I'm gonna miss the pancake breakfast."
"You could come home." He suggested hopefully.
"You wish! I have to do this and you have to go on a real date. I hesitate to ask … but are you prepared…"
"Let's just say Fez took me shopping okay? Enough said."
Jackie laughed, "Well….you never know when….."
Eric voice was low as he said, "If I had known about …last week…." Jackie got goose bumps from his tone. "Yeah, if I had too….." she said wistfully.
There was silence as they both remembered what happened and what could have happened. "Eric…there's this song by Alabama – it's called, Feels So Right - if you get a chance, listen to it okay? I gotta go. Tell everyone hi for me!" Jackie hung up the phone with a lump in her throat.
*
Eric spent his Saturday morning at the local record store. He reasoned that he needed to find a song and he also wanted to hear the Alabama song Jackie recommended he listen to. As he was putting a pair of headphones over his ears realized that he hadn't really been paying attention to the current artists or top forty songs on the radio. It was that Boz Skaggs song that kept playing over in his head like a mantra. Never thought I'd fall again so easily…
The store clerk put on the 45 record version of Alabama's 1980 hit song. He'd had just came back from Africa and was living in Madison when this song came out. He sat back on the sofa and closed his eyes as the song began.
Whisper to me softly, breathe words upon my skin.
No one's near and listening, so please, don't say goodbye.
Just hold me close and love me, press your lips to mine.
Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm, feels so right.
Feels so right.
Was Jackie trying to send him a message or was this something she wanted him to tell to her?
Lying here beside you, I hear the echo's of your sighs.
Promise me you'll stay with me and keep me warm tonight.
So hold me close and love me, give my heart a smile.
Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm, feels so right.
Feels so right.
This was definitely last Friday night stuff! How could he ever forget that evening?
Your body feels so gentle, and my passion's rising high.
You're lovin' me so easy; your wish is my command.
Just hold me close and love me, tell me it won't end.
Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm, feels so right.
Now he couldn't wait for Jackie to get back. This was a song that he could actually say, Feels so right! He asked the store clerk to play it again. The slow melody was something that she would love to dance to – he knew that about her and dancing was quickly becoming one of his favorite new hobbies.
*
Eric let Fez and Rhonda dress him for Karaoke night. Although he didn't care much for the mousse that stiffened in his hair, Eric thought he looked pretty good. His blind date was going to meet them at the club so he really couldn't back out of it.
Fez laughed, "Isn't it funny how her name is Candie and I love candy? I mean I love you too Rhonda, but why couldn't Eric's date be named Licorice or Hershey?" Eric turned back from the mirror. Okay, looking good – clean shoes – freshly shaved – cologne…he was date ready.
The loud banging on the steps and running down the hall signaled Kelso's arrival. He burst through the door like Tarzan beating on his chest. "Hey guys, guess what my song is tonight!"
Brooke came in behind rolling her eyes. "Yeah, you'll never guess what Elvis is singing tonight."
Kelso turned to Brooke, "Hey, good burn darling!" He turned back to his friends. "I'm singing Burning Love! I'm just a hunka hunka burning love! Burn – get it? Brooke just burned me and… I've REALLY been practicing my Elvis moves. Wanna see some?"
Collectively the group cried "NO!"
"Well, when I catch the panties this time you all will be jealous!"
"Michael, just call the cab, Candie's holding a table for us." She looked at Eric dressed so neatly and knew he was worried about the blind date. "Eric, Candie says she can't wait to meet you. I think you'll like her. You both have a lot in common."
"She's not a convicted felon or anything like that is she?"
Brooke laughed. 'No, she's a storyteller for the pre-schoolers – I think you'll like her. And I'm not saying anything else because that takes away from the date."
*
The club music was thumping and the now familiar cheering and applause was a welcome sound. Eric was more nervous than he had ever been. He followed blindly behind Kelso and Fez because he had no clue what Candie looked like.
Brooke weaved the group through the dances patrons to a booth near the back of the club. There was a nice looking blonde girl waiting in the center of the booth. "Candie, this is Eric Forman." Brooke pushed Eric into the booth.
Damn, this was awkward. Eric held out his hand, "Nice to meet you." Candie pushed her glasses back on her face. "Likewise, Brooke has told me nice things about you also."
Fez and Rhonda sat on one side of Eric and Brooke and Kelso blocked Candie on the other side. Eric swallowed hard – this was the time to order a strong drink. "Is anybody up for a whiskey?" Kelso laughed, "No man, we're having beer. Give me some money and I'll get a couple of pitchers. I need to pick my song."
Fez stood up, "I'll go with you, I don't want some foreign bastard stealing my song this time!" The two guys headed to the bar which left Eric alone with three women. Help! Brooke watched as Eric shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Rhonda smiled. "Brooke, while the guys get the drinks, why don't we go pick our songs?" Brooke looked at Eric who was freaking out a little bit. "Yeah, okay – we'll be right back Eric. Are you going to be okay? Candie doesn't bite – hard." Brooke threw her head back and laughed.
Eric's eyes got big and looked at the girl beside him. "You don't really bite do you?"
Candie smiled shyly. "Well, not on the first date anyways."
Crap. What did Brooke get him into?
"So Eric, Brooke tells me that you're divorced."
"Yes. I was one of those that married too young."
She flashed a toothy smile. "Me too! Actually this is my second divorce. I guess I'm one of those old fashioned girls that love to be in love and then marriage kills it."
That was more information than Eric wanted to know for a first date. Candie's glasses slid back down her nose. "I lost one of my damn contacts and now I have to wear these until I get to the optometrist on Monday. Do you find women in glasses attractive Eric?"
Eric was thinking about Audrey Hepburn – she was attractive…"Sometimes, yeah. Brooke tells me you are a storyteller?"
Candie laughed and it sounded much like a braying donkey. "Oh, yes, I work part-time in the library because my ex-husband refuses to pay child support. Also, I can bring my kids and they nap while I'm working. It's such a great job. I can't wait until I have more kids."
Eric cleared his throat. "How – how many kids do you have?"
Candie whipped out her wallet and displayed a colored family picture. "That's Mandie, she's three and this little cutie is Brandie she'll be two next month and this baby doll is Sandie – she's six months."
Eric's mouth went dry. "And you're dating already?" Candie smiled, "Of course, I want to add a little Andy and Randy to my family. I've decided if all the names rhymed I could get in the Guinness World Records book."
Fortunately for Eric, Kelso came back with some beer and Brooke and Rhonda were carrying the glasses. "Hey, I think I'll go pick my song. Will everyone excuse me?" Eric wanted to run. He wanted to run far way!
*
"So after Brandie found the scissors, I had to replace all of the shoe laces! Isn't that funny?" Candie snorted and laughed at the same time. Eric heard the DJ announce Kelso's name. "Dude that's you!" he said over exuberantly. Candie looked up as Michael climbed out of the booth over the table. "I'm singing to you babe!" He leaned over and kissed Brooke and ran like a windmill to the stage.
Eric sat back to watch his friend perform another fine Elvis imitation – Kelso's excessive use of his lighter while singing the words "burning" seemed a bit much, but the audience loved it. He came back to the table proud despite the no panty throwing crowd.
Rhonda offered to go get more drinks, "Rhonda, why don't you ladies sit here and Fez and I will do that for you." Eric said. Rhonda seemed surprised. "Sure, just back sure Fez doesn't drop the glasses."
Candie was a bit tipsy by now and shouted, "I wear glasses!"
Eric looked back. "Yes. Yes you do!"
Fez clapped his hand on Eric's shoulder. "So do you like the Candie?" Eric rolled his eyes. "Fez, she's not looking for a date, she's looking for another father for her three kids!" Fez grinned. "Ahhhh - she's hungry like the wolf, yes? You may get lucky tonight!" Eric was thinking, thank heavens for condoms!
*
Fez and Eric got back with the drinks just in time to see Brooke on stage singing to Kelso. It was a song from the Captain and Tennille songbook. She looked so sweet singing into the microphone and Kelso was hanging on every word.
Do that to me one more time
Once is never enough with a man like you
Do that to me one more time
I can never get enough of a man like you
Whoa-oh-oh, kiss me like you just did
Oh, baby, do that to me once again
Kelso frogged Eric on the shoulder and grinned, "Did you hear that? She wants to do it! Do it one more time!" Fez looked admiringly at his friend and sighed, "Kelso you are one lucky sonofabitch!" The audience applauded and announced that Fez was up on deck.
Fez jumped up and smoothed his hair and said, "If anyone asks, I'm Billy Idol!" Eric laughed at the idea of a brown Billy Idol and downed his beer with one swallow. By this time he figured that if he drank every time Candie started talking, the evening would just get better.
Fez stepped up to the stage and didn't even bother looking at the monitor. He knew the words to this song! The music started playing and he launched into Billy Idol
Hey little sister what have you done
Hey little sister who's the only one
Hey little sister who's your superman
Hey little sister who's the one you want
Hey little sister shot gun!
Right after Fez sang the word "shot gun" Kelso stood up and shouted, "I got shot gun!" Eric started laughing but Fez kept singing and was really good. Maybe he had to work on his Billy Idol sneer a little but it was a great performance!
Fez bowed to his audience - smiled broadly and hurried back to Rhonda's waiting arms. "Oh Fezzie, that was wonderful. You sounded just like him!"
*
"Sandie wouldn't go to sleep so my mom put a little Tequila in the bottle and voila! Night-night!" Candie laughed and grabbed Eric's arm. "Kids are so funny. You should have a few. You look like you'd be a good dad!" The DJ announced Eric was up next. "Oh thank God!"
As much as Eric dreaded singing, it was preferable to sitting next to Candie and talking about her rhyming kids. He felt alone without Jackie on the stage next to him. The DJ handed him a microphone and started the music. He would sing this to Jackie if she was in the crowd watching him.
Lying beside you, here in the dark
Feeling your heart beat with mine
Softly you whisper, you're so sincere
How could our live be so blind
We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are by my side
He launched into Journey's Open Arms with all of his best Forman vocals. While he wasn't half bad, Brooke was impressed with his sincerity. She watched him singing to no one in particular but she knew it was her best friend he was singing to. She really wished she had a video camera at this moment.
Living without you, living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you, wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
The song ended and he looked at the floor. It felt like total humiliation until he looked back up and the club burst into applause at his performance. He grinned and the audience's support made him feel special. "If I had a little Jackie bubble of excitement, I would pull you into it so you could feel the same excitement I'm still feeling." Right now, he felt like he finally understood what Jackie was talking about.
Eric got back to the table and Brooke gave him a big hug. "Eric, that was great! You really have a nice voice!"
He smiled. "Really? I know Jackie likes that song and I knew all the words so…." Kelso frogged him on the arm, "You've been holding out on us man – that was pretty good!" Eric slid in and poured himself another drink. Candie had been telling Rhonda how to get free cheese. "Oh, you're back. That was a very nice song."
Brooke noticed that it was time for the DJ to reload his machine. "Michael, let's dance." The drums and synthesized piano started playing the chords for Soft Cell's Tainted Love. Candie grabbed Eric's hand. "Ooh I love this song – let's dance!" She physically dragged him out on the dance floor. Eric looked back where Fez and Rhonda had resumed their dance club love fest.
Eric found himself in the middle of the dance floor unsure of how to dance with Candie – was this a fast song or a slow dance? It seemed most of the couples were doing both. Well, Eric's question was answered as Candie grabbed his ass and pulled him up against her hips. Before he could say anything, she planted a sloppy French kiss on his mouth.
Eric could see Brooke smiling at him out of the corner of his eye and all he could think of was – Brooke is evil! Candie rubbed her hands over Eric's chest, "Oh, Eric you are built – you have the nicest pec muscles!" She danced a step away and twirled herself back pressing her breasts against his chest. "Dancing is so erotic, don't you think?"
Eric could hear Soft Cell singing, "…now I know I've got to run away…I've got to get away…" and that was exactly how Eric was feeling. Candie was trying to slide her hand down his pants and as discreetly as he could, Eric gently grabbed her hand and set it on his shoulder. "I just wanted to see if you were – um – endowed – down there." What? When was this song going to end?
Eric twirled her away because she seemed to like twirling a lot and it kept their bodies apart. She slammed back into his chest and giggled and grabbing his face for another long tongue kiss. "God Candie, I'm dying for a drink. What do you say we catch a dance later? Phew!" He dropped her hand and prayed she got a hint.
He dropped into the booth knocking into Fez and Rhonda. Candie decided to sit on his lap and he could feel his thigh muscles scream "too heavy!" Brooke and Kelso came back and Eric made a dramatic show of looking at his watch. "Hey, this is about the time we leave right? I mean we don't want to get back too late!"
Brooke decided to have mercy on Eric. "Michael, Eric's right – we should be heading out now while there are still some cabs available." Fez looked up, "We have to go?" Rhonda said, "Oh good, I'm spending the night with my Fezzie."
Fez elbowed Eric in the ribs. "There aren't you GLAD I took you shopping?" Eric groaned. Brooke slid out of the booth first. "Eric, you and Candie can say goodbye here, we'll wait for you outside."
Eric watched as one by one each of his friends deserted him. Candie was thrilled and pushed him to the seat of the booth. "I was waiting until they left." She covered his mouth and grabbed his hands pressing them against her breasts. She moaned though Eric couldn't figure out why since he wasn't doing anything. She smelled of beer and sweat and his courtesy was running thin. With one big push, he managed to get Candie to a sitting position and pulled out his wallet. "Candie, it was nice meeting you, good luck finding that third husband. Here's some money for your cab – I gotta go!" And like the Road Runner, Eric Forman was out the club door.
*