Chapter 04 – The Pointed Place
T7S
One Week Earlier
The snow had finally stopped and the group of Travelers found a nice little camp just south of Mount Hump. The raggedy RV's and rusted camper trailers parked in four rows like a battlefield. The community lavatory sat on its flatbed truck and three workers bolted down the housings so the wind wouldn't blow over should someone be "reading the morning paper". The tent city was upwind of the toilets and utilized the city water faucet for cooking in the community kitchen.
Jack backed the Airstream horizontal to the rows of trailers because of who Tatiana was. If HE was important to the king, Ana was like the queen and she deserved the respect and admiration of the group. Ana had been predestined to be with the king since she was 16. Over the years, Jack had learned the story about how that the king's Irish relatives migrated to America early in the beginning of the century and Tatiana and the king's marriage was predetermined.
He jumped out of the Ranchero and unhitched the trailer from his truck while Ana bundled up and walked towards a small hill. Jack kept a protective eye on her because sleazy Larry said that was his job (well that and running the roller coaster!) As if she knew he was thinking about her, Ana turned and looked down the slope at Jack with those scary gray eyes. He felt the hairs on his neck stand up and quickly went about his business of leveling her mobile home.
Strings of lights were threaded between rows of campers making the site look festive. Christmas had passed so the lights were perfectly ready for New Years Eve. Carnival children laughed and chased each other under trailers and through the tents. The laughter was a welcome sound. When the train of vehicles finally reached the pointed place sign, better known as WELCOME TO POINT PLACE, cheers could be heard from the caravan of vehicles.
Tatiana stood on the slight hill and looked out over the lights of Point Place. It seemed like a quaint little town with a nice atmosphere. Her king was out there somewhere and tonight she would summon a little distraction to let him know of the Travelers arrival. She could sense HIM trudging up the hill and she turned, "I know. They are expecting me to make a speech."
HE hated when she did that. All that clairvoyance crap was annoying but he respected it having been on the receiving end of a bad curse one day. Of course Tatiana swore she cast no spells but how else did he get a painful boil the size of a bowling ball on the back of his neck? "Uh…yeah….we have the fires started and Serena is starving."
Tatiana chuckled. Serena was the nearest thing she had to a best friend. "Well, I certainly don't want Serena to miss dinner. Tell them I'll be back after I settle my trailer."
HE briskly rubbed his hands together and hurried down the hill to dispatch the message. Tatiana turned back towards the city and uttered, "I'm here." In a whispered voice she pleaded, "Find me."
T7S
Red was at his wit's end. He was supposed to help Kitty go to the toilet? She could barely stand and he had to sit her on the….no-no-no!. "Eric! Help your mother." Eric was just getting ready to head out in the Vista Cruiser when his dad yelled from the kitchen. He flew through the glass doors and on skidding heels nearly slammed into the table. "Is mom okay?"
"No, she's not. Your mother needs your help."
Kitty reached up to tug Red's sleeve urgently. "Red….honey….I really…."
Red pointed towards the kitchen hallway. "Your mom needs help getting to the toilet. I'm going next door to see if Bob has….if Bob left my….thingamabob or something…in his garage."
Eric's eyes got huge. His mom had to what? He had to what? "Dad?" He turned around and Red was out the door in a flash.
"Oh Eric, honey…." Kitty smiled sloppily, "can you wheel me to the bathroom? I have to go."
-o-
"So I was telling her that Laurie aint been home in a long time and you know being a girl, she might be able to help around the house…." Bob scratched his wig while Red stood there with his arms still crossed at his chest. He continued, "…and if Jackie hadn't been lying on the floor, Kitty wouldn't be in the predicament she's in and…"
"Bob shut up. I almost liked your idea before your lips started flapping. But she's got no job?"
Bob nodded and zipped up his velour jacket. "Yeah well cuz Fez and her….no hokey pokey was going on in that apartment. She's a good girl Red, you'll like her."
Red shook his head regretting the words but had to say them, "She is not entirely useless. I'll find her some work and she can help Kitty, because God knows Eric is not capable of some jobs."
Bob smiled, "Good, I'll let her know and look at the time! I have to hit the road before it starts snowing again. I'm sure gonna miss Kitty's New Year's Day dinners."
Red's stomach started growling, "You and me too Bob, and before you try to hug me goodbye or anything, let's just shake like men okay?" Red held out his right hand but Bob grabbed it and pulled his neighbor into a bear hug. "I'm gonna miss ya Red."
The farewell speech was ruined by a small wavering voice, "Daddy?"
The two men turned to see a pale Eric Forman trembling at the threshold of the kitchen. "There is just some things a son should never have to witness."
He pointed to his father, "..and Dad….I just witnessed it."
Eric looked back over his shoulder, and then back to Red, "Mom wants you now. I'm going to sit in my closet for a while."
Red bit back a chuckle, "On second thought Bob, you are a genius. Thank you for suggesting my new little helper move in. She's going to be very useful.
-o-
Jackie found all of her clothing packed neatly in suitcases inside the front door of the apartment she shared with Fez. Her stuffed animals were tucked in a pillowcase and her posters rolled up and secured with rubber bands. Fez had effectively cleared out her room.
"Fez?" she called out quietly. There was no reply. He must have done this after leaving the hospital with the Forman's. Did he know this relationship wasn't going to last? Jackie stepped around the coffee table and went to the bar to write a note. This wasn't the nicest way for friends to part and she had to tell him so.
Fez:
I want you to know that in my heart of hearts I truly love you. I just can't love you the way you deserve and I'm not going to treat you like Nina or get crazy like Caroline – I want to believe that there is a perfect girl out there just for you.
It's just that I am not your perfect girl. Just like I thought you were my perfect guy.
We deserve people that really love us for our flaws and our self imposed pride because we are beautiful inside and out.
I still would like us to be friends because seriously, who will go shopping with me for the perfect pair of boots? Who would tell you that your ass looks good in leather? We are the bestest of friends and I would like to stay friends….forever.
Love always,
Jackie
She pressed a lipstick kiss to the bottom of the note and left it on the counter. All that was left was to pick up her meager belongings and pray that Bob talked to Mr. Forman. This had to work – what other option did she have?
-o-
New Year's Eve
"Greetings my family." Tatiana said to the gathering of Travelers in her soft voice. "I am happy that we arrived at this Point Place with no incidence or accidents. I feel encouraged that we will be prosperous here and that for all of us….I am positive that the king will arrive."
Tatiana handed the microphone back to Jack and stepped off the small podium and walked to each leader of the individual clan that made up the whole of the tribe. She stopped in front of the first family. "Thank you for your contribution. I will include you in my safe haven blessing at the scrying mirror." The children smiled and Tatiana kissed the wife on her wrinkled cheek. "You are blessed." She whispered.
The families lined up to touch Tatiana's hand or receive a spoken word. This simple act was worth so much more than paper money and the Travelers of every creed felt rich. This place had a good feel and the camp reverberated with happiness. Whatever Tatiana did with her scrying mirror, they didn't really want to know but appreciated the outcome.
As the last family turned away, Tatiana headed back to her Airstream to make preparations for the New Year's Eve….enchantment.
-o-
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A/N: ...I know you have questions but the answers are on the way!