Chapter 42 – Back to Roost

On the front seat was a pink envelope. Laughing with glee, Jackie put the letter in her purse and started her Monday with a smile.

xXx

"Mrs. West, we loved your taco salad recipe….may I add that it should be called the Love Salad? I had the most romantic time after dinner."

"Oh darling, that is wonderful. If I didn't have you to talk with during the day…well I would just go crazy. You are a delightful young woman and if my cooking gets you a fellow…."

Jackie smiled into the receiver as Mrs. West rambled on about the previous beaus she had court her. Meanwhile, Jackie pulled the pink envelope out of her purse and set it on the desk to admire. Eric Forman actually went out and bought a box of pink stationary just for her. How romantic was that!

From her peripheral vision, she saw some hands waving at her through the office window. Carefully, she ended her conversation with Mrs. West and motioned for former boss, Nelson Aucoin to enter the office.

"Hey Burkhart….how are you doing?" Those nicotine stained fingers were nearly fidgeting.

"Fine. How are things with the wife? I'm hoping you didn't get divorced?"

Nelson smiled. "You had some good advice and me and the wife talked it out and now we're getting on better than ever….so thank you."

Jackie clapped her hands. "Good! What brings you all the way down to the City basement?"

Nelson laughed and slid a business card across her desk. "I've heard good things about your voice and this fellow wanted to see if you were interested in a better paying job."

Jackie's brow lifted. "Really? Something better than minimum wage? Hello? I'm interested!"

Mr. Aucoin smiled. "Give Robbie a call after work. Tell him that you talked to Nelson. I think it will be a great adventure for you."

Jackie slipped the business card into her wallet. "I will call. Promise." Just as she snapped the wallet closed, the hot line began to ring. She whispered, "Gotta go!"

xXx

"….and these are the keys to your golf cart – it really helps getting around the park if there's an emergency, but we do encourage all employees to walk as much as possible." And boy could Cathy Pentigew walk! This woman had on sensible shoes and a backpack. Eric followed her as she commented about the giraffe needing a better water trough and the female elephant was "in season" so make sure that the little kids didn't witness "that".

When they finally came to a stop at the vet station Cathy turned, "Any questions, Eric?"

"Can I have a map? Please? I'm serious."

xXx

Jackie waited until her lunch time to open Eric's letter. Tonight was special, so instead of her sack lunch, Jackie opted to dine at the Teriyaki Burger place a block away from the office. While she waited, her thoughts went back to the night before and she shivered sweetly..

Eric had looked at her with adoring eyes. "Kill me now because I can't go back in there and pretend in front of my folks that you don't mean something to me."

She smiled and sighed with happiness. What a great night that was and all those butterflies were so wonderful! She checked her handbag just to make sure she had brought the letter, wondering what he had wrote this time. All of a sudden she was at the front of the line and the cud-chewing waitress was waiting with her pen at the order pad, "I said, what you want?"

Jackie looked at the lettered display overhead and replied, "Umm – give me a number one and a Tab." She laid a five dollar bill on the counter and waited for her ticket number. Once she got her change, Jackie hurried to a table near the window and pulled the pink envelope out of her purse.

Dear Jackie….

While I don't want this to be some long slobbering love letter I just wanted to say that I realize I really do love you and I know this because I don't want to lose you and since the day you moved into my parents house…my life has been better. I have been better. And it's all because of you.

I love you.

For ever

Eric.

Jackie's throat was tight with emotion. This letter….she held it against her breast and sighed happily. This letter said everything she wished every guy had ever said. Those simple words were better than any love story she had read. This was like the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle clicking into place and all that was left was the colorful picture of her future and it was going to be wonderful.

"I said NUMBER 47….your order is ready!" The woman at the counter had an unusually harsh voice and it took a minute for Jackie to realize that was her Teriyaki dinner that was growing cold. Hastily shoving the letter back into her purse, she quickly hurried to the counter to grab her tray.

She had a letter to write Eric and there was so much to say!

xXx

With Eric's new job, the hours were the same but he hadn't yet told his parents about the promotion. He actually wanted it to be a surprise so when he got his official uniform, he would invite them down to the zoo and give them a tour in his golf cart. That would be such a sweet moment.

The days seemed to fly by. Since it was some unfortunate volunteer that shoveled the shit in the monkey cages, Eric felt more secure in his position. He spent the days with the veterinarians learning the animals' diets and personality quirks. All in all, it was a pretty sweet job.

Jackie still hadn't been able to find adequate words to reply to Eric's letter but she knew that soon, her heart would have the words she wanted to say.

Meanwhile, Hyde actually went to see Fez for a trim and tidied up his mustache. He wanted to make a great impression on sweet talking Amber and the owner of Glassworx. Maybe he shouldn't approach this little tour on his own. Perhaps it might be prudent to bring a friend or two or three? He scratched his cheek. That was something to consider!

xXx

"Hi Robbie, my name is Jackie and Nelson said you liked the sound of my voice." Jackie smiled at the British gentleman sitting across from her desk. He was pasty and slightly chubby but his crooked teeth and smile were disarming.

"Aye…..you do 'ave a wonderful voice. Mrs. West….she was my nanny...many year's ago and well, one day I was privy to listening in on one of 'er calls to you. Uses a speaker phone she does."

"Oh…okay…so what is this job you want to offer me?"

Robbie pulled out a large leather-bound book and laid it on the table. "Miss…'ow does $60 an 'our sound to you."

Jackie almost choked on her Mike & Ike. "You said six dollars an hour right? Minimum wage is up to $3.35 so that would be a big, big raise."

"No dear sweet girl. I said sixty. Quite a big difference." Robbie clarified.

Jackie pinched the web of skin between her thumb and forefinger and held back a yelp. "Six-ty dollars an hour? What the hell kind of job pays that much? Excuse me for being blunt."

"That's fine my dear. I own a conglomerate of assorted industries and we are venturing out into the 900 business."

Jackie crossed her arms. "I don't do phone sex. I know what those 900 numbers are for so you can take your offer and shove it…."

Robbie held up his hand. "Jackie, darling. It's not what you think. It's a friendship line. Exactly what you are doing now…well except for the suicide part and my 900 service charges $2.99 a minute for people to talk to someone as wonderful as you."

Jackie shook the mental cobwebs from her head. "Wait a minute. People will pay almost three bucks a minute just to talk to me?" That actually was flattering!

Robbie leaned back in his seat. "You and your staff. Since you cannot possibly answer all the phone calls, as my lead voice, you get one dollar out of every $2.99 a minute. Of course there will be a photo shoot, some commercial advertisements for the telly, some radio ads….are you up for all this?"

Jackie smiled as a secret dream was coming true. She stood up. "If you think have the voice… I would be happy to talk to people for money. When do I start?"

xXx

Hyde changed his shirt three times and prayed, "Please don't let her be an uggo." He looked around his studio apartment and wondered if this mysterious Amber would be interested in coming back to Point Place for dinner. He could certainly heat up some Tator Tots in the tiny oven and make a passable salad or….maybe Mrs. Forman could make some of that double fried chicken.

Wait – put on the brakes! Why was he so freaking worried about a girl he'd never met and would probably never see again? Was it business nerves? Did W.B. get this way when signing a new record deal? Was it because he was tired of the off/on again dating with Cindy the Concession Stand girl? (What the hell was her last name?) He exhaled through his nose and sat on the small sofa that doubled as his bed.

He needed to convince the owner of Glassworx that he could really sell those pipes – er, glass blown incense holders (ha ha) and there was a customer base for that, albeit a bunch of stoners. Yet, he couldn't deny that not burning his fingers on the cherry of a roach was a great selling point.

A loud knock on his door interrupted his reverie. "Yeah!" he hollered. "Door's unlocked."

The door opened and a smiling face poked through. "Look Dillhole, if I wanted to bring up my own bags, I would have. I got a cab downstairs that wants to be paid."

Hyde smiled widely and wrapped his arms around his old friend in a big hug. "I missed you too Big D."

She smiled against his curly hair. "Yeah yeah, but that doesn't change the fact that I have a pissed off taxi driver waiting for his money. Hurry up while I use your ladies room."

xXx

Dear Eric

You make me happy and I can't explain how just a few simple words touched my heart. I realize know that I used to rush into a relationship because I was afraid. Afraid of rejection. Afraid of loneliness. Afraid nobody would love the real me. Sad, but true.

But all these days and weeks of living with you and your family has shown me a different kind of love – that's what I want. A forever love. Like your parents. Well, not exactly like your parents because frankly, they are a little old but something like that.

You have a kind heart and that was what I was waiting for. You know how they say there are plenty of fish in the sea? The problem is I stopped fishing after I found you. I wanted a lobster.

You are my lobster. (I think someone tried to tell me that but I didn't really listen before)

Love always

Jackie

Eric folded the letter and tucked it in his pillowcase. Good thing he wasn't a catfish or a tuna …still, lobsters were cool. Why wasn't Jackie home from work yet? He wanted to share his good news!

Then he heard the sound of a 98 pound she-woman running up the stairs and suddenly his bedroom door was flung open and Jackie launched herself into his arms. "I have the best news!" she nearly squealed.

Eric breathed in the honeysuckle scent of her shampoo and loved the feel of her in his arms. He could really get used to this every day. After a happy sloppy kiss, Eric replied, "You go first."

T7S

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