Jackie's Story - Follow-up to Can-You Ever-Go-Back in a Poem (Part Fact, Part Fiction)

Last we read

Jackie's boyfriend Rick has called his ex-wife Susan to inquire about getting back together with her and their little daughter, Courtney, who Rick did not seem to care or know about.

Jackie’s story the part that started two years before she met Rick

At least this is the story that led to her meeting Rick, and how she became a waitress and bartender.

Jackie’s life before starting her waitress and bartending jobs at the Sweet Beginning café and bar are now and will remain a mystery, except for her closest friends Adrenna, Linda, and me.

The Sweet Beginning café and bar just opened

^{© By Shyron Shenko}

Jackie came through the door

And passed out on the floor of the Sweet Beginning café and bar

Thinking that she’d had too much to drink

George carried the unconscious girl to the back room sink

As he washed her face asking how much have you had to drink?

Eyes flashing in anger, Jackie replied, I DON’T DRINK

And beginning to sob she stated

I just lost my job and I’ve not eaten in at least two days

George left the room and came back with not one, but two lunches

They both ate in silence as his hand slipped to her knee

The chair turned over as she jumped to her feet

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Providing me lunch doesn’t mean you’re entitled to manhandle me!

George put both hands in the air, said I am so sorry,

It is just that you are so pretty but I meant you no harm

Finish your lunch and I will tell you what

We can talk about my hiring you

My waitress is leaving by the week's end

And that is when you can begin

Still leery of his intensions, but needing the job

Jackie sat herself back down

The Understanding

Jackie made sure that George understood

They could never be more than friends

I must have Wednesdays off, Jackie said before I begin

And please don’t ask me what for

The bartending job

The bartender claimed to be sick before the café closed one night

It was on George’s night off

The bartender went home

Leaving Jackie in the bar all alone

The bartender went out on a limb, thinking he would show them

No one could do the job better than him

The mixes and concoctions, Jackie knew them by heart

To become a bartender this would give her a start

To George’s surprise, Jackie did so well at tending the bar

The regular bartender was no longer the star

And Jackie became the bartender with a generous raise

Leaving the other bartender reeling, almost in a daze

In walks a dream

Behind the bar Jackie heard the sound of a car

Though it was almost closing time

Only one patron left, Fred with his one glass of wine

From the day after his wife was laid out to rest

Poor old Fred has been their frequent guest

He comes in to dine then stays at the bar till closing time

With his one glass of wine

Jackie asked George could you wait on the person coming in here

The noise is back and it is so hard to hear

As she sticks her finger in her left ear

In walks a dream – the most handsome man she’s ever seen

With that old worn out pick up line the handsome stranger asked

“What is a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”

Jackie couldn’t talk just stand there and gawk

With her finger still stuck in her ear

George teased Jackie

“Hey what’s matter you, can’t you hear?”

“Then tak-a you finger outta you ear.”

Playfully mocking her Italian roots.

What can I get you?

George told the handsome stranger

Forgive Jackie, she probably has another migraine

Or she is hearing the voices again

Oh brother! Jackie moans

I really just need to go home

I couldn't hear a word that you said

Over this noise not voices in my head

George’s teasing turned to concern

After she has worked for him for two years

Had George finally learned?

It is not voices but static sounds she hears

What about a drink? The handsome stranger asked

Past closing time

By law we can't sell beer, booze or wine, after closing

But I will give you a couple this time.

And we will join you in a one or two on the house

Then he poured a ‘virgin screwdriver’ for Jackie

Scotch and water for himself

And the same for the stranger in the house.

What is your name and what is your story?

Jackie casually asked

Rick! Unwed!

Rick! Unwed! He said

Rick Unwed? That is a strange name Jackie said

My name is Rick he said

My wife just divorced me and kicked me out and now I am unwed

What about you? Rick asked

What do you do, how do your spend you free time?

Could you spend some with me?

If I promise not to get out of line

Jackie told Rick about the two years before

And how when she first walked in the door

So weak from hunger

She passed out on the floor

In the next few weeks

Rick's visits became routine

Was he smitten with Jackie?

That's the way that it would seem

Soon Rick moved in with Jackie

And although George did not like it

There was nothing he could do

But watch as Rick breaks her heart in two

The day Rick went away

After almost three years

And a river of tears

When she found out Rick had a problem with booze

Jackie is the one who would ultimately lose

Jackie got Rick going to AA meetings

Every Wednesday they both went to AA

And Rick got a good job

So what happened on the day that Rick went away?

Jackie accused Rick of just using her for a place to live

Rick said she was asking of him more than he could give

Jackie said I am through, I can't take anymore

And Rick called Susan before he walked out the door

Have you been Crying

George asked, have you been crying?

Or still have static in your head?

Did Rick do something to you? Or something he said?

That made you come to work with your eyes all red?

Both, Jackie said

We had a big fight, and he called his ex-wife

I am so scared he's walked out of my life

Good, George replied

Why didn't you kick him out long ago?

Don't you know? Because I'm attached Jackie said

Yeah people do get attached to their dogs

But at least dogs are usually loyal to those that feed them

Maybe you have an earwig in there

Then in an attempt at humor, George said!

About that noise in your ear! Maybe you have an earwig in there!

No! She said and started to laugh

I saw that movie too sometime in the past.

Jackie did not tell George

She had gone to the Doctor earlier that day

Just after Rick walked away

She knew what was wrong, but not how to say

George had fallen for Jackie over the years

And it hurt to see her in tears

Now he hoped Rick would not come back

But that he might was the worst of his fears

Rick's Return!

When Rick returned and saw Jackie

In such anguish

It near broke his heart in two pieces

He thought, I really love her, I do!

When Rick went to see Susan

That is when he knew

He did not really want to get back together

He just thought he and Jackie were through

Now as he took Jackie in his arms and said I love you

She said, I never once stopped loving you!

But her next words filled him with dread when she said

They know what is causing the noise in my head

They both cried as she told him

What the doctor had said.

You have a tumor inside your head

That touches the nerve in the middle ear, causing the noise that you hear

Monday, I go to see a neurosurgeon

To see what can be done about this schwannoma

Rick said oh, baby, I am going with you

I will face this with you and figure out what to do!

I Never Once Stopped Loving You

Story Without an End

Jodah's Story

• Ending for "Story without an End" by Examiner-1 I am writing this as an ending for a story written by Jodah at: http://jodah.hubpages.com/hub/Story-Without-An-End#comment-12704719
• Love Will Not Die - A follow up to Story Without an End by Shyron E Shenko Short fictional add on, if you will, to follow Jodah's "Story Without an End." I accept the challenge to fellow hubber friends to add to the story that he started..... Here is mine Jodah.
• http://theexaminer-1.hubpages.com/hub/Ending-for-Story-without-an-End-by-Jodah
• http://aneegma.hubpages.com/hub/The-Circle-Palms-Alternative-Ending-for-Story-Without-An-End

Schwannoma - What is it.

I will write about a day in Jackie's life, in her words about what goes on inside her head.

Disclaimer

While the story is partially true, the names and places have been changed for privacy reasons.

© 2014 Shyron E Shenko

Comments

C E Clark from North Texas on February 06, 2019:

For some reason my last comment just disappeared! I posted this to AH and FB. Hope that worked.

Mentioned that I haven't noticed the drawing of Rick before and what an excellent drawing it is! Can't remember all I wrote.

Anyway, hope all is well with you dear friend. Blessings . . .

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on March 24, 2017:

Au fait, thank you for the comment and compliment on my drawing, I have not drawn anything in a long time I see the pictures in my mind I would like to draw, but then the interruptions.

We are well, Chipper gets smarter everyday, and he does reason.

Hope all is well with you.

C E Clark from North Texas on March 21, 2017:

If one is away for very long everything changes and the more time that has passed, the more life goes on, the more and the greater the changes. You can go back, but don't expect things to be the same.

Really exceptional drawing!

Hope all is well there. Blessings dear friend . . .

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on July 09, 2016:

Au fait, thank you for the comments and for sharing.

Blessings and Hugs dear friend.

Au fait on July 08, 2016:

Came back again to share this excellent poem story!

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on November 18, 2015:

Au fait, thank you again for sharing and commenting on this story.

I hope our winter is mild, and in the north also.

Blessings and Hugs to you.

C E Clark from North Texas on November 16, 2015:

Came back to share this story again. A great story and a good way to learn some new things too.

Hope you and John are both in where it's dry and warm. Seems El Niño is back with us and we're to have a lot of rain before spring. A cooler winter than usual for us, a warmer than usual winter with lots of snow up in the northern states.

Hope all is well with you both. Blessings and hugs to you.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on July 14, 2014:

I found the Picture I drew when I was 15. Jackie's boyfriend Rick (not his real name).

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 10, 2014:

Au fait, I am writing the next segment today, if my computer does not crash again, hopefully today it will be published.

Apperciate you votes and sharing.

Thanks again my dear friend.

P.S. I slept through the storm, John told me he thought we were having a tornado.

C E Clark from North Texas on June 07, 2014:

Came back to check this out again. I'm looking forward to reading the next segment or chapter or whatever you want to call it. I think this is going to be a great educational hub as well as interesting just to read. I really like articles where I learn something new. Voting this up and interesting again. Also, sharing.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 02, 2014:

Peg, Thank you so much for the compliment and for the comment.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 02, 2014:

Thank you FlourishAnyway, for your comments - I know it is sad.

Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on June 02, 2014:

I like the way you've woven the story into prose. It was captivating. Poor Jackie. That drawing was awesome.

FlourishAnyway from USA on June 02, 2014:

The twists and turns of this story are compelling -- and the noise in her ear. Sad.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 01, 2014:

Thank you Tiffany, appreciate your visit.

TiffanyLatte from USA on June 01, 2014:

Love this.

John Hansen from Gondwana Land on May 31, 2014:

Great work Shyron. You really took my story challenge on and ran with it, and in a very unique way. I loved reading Jackie's story. I wonder where things will go from here. Voted up.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:

Nell, Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing my story. Yes Jackie has a lot to worry about, but I am glad Rick came back to her.

Blessings to you my friend.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:

Au fait, thank you for the comments, votes, pin and share. I really appreciate you my dear friend.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:

Ruby, thank for you comment. Yes Rick is a troubled soul. But I think Jackie is good for him and she needs someone to take her mind off her troubles.

Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:

Kevin, thank you for your up votes, sharing and commenting, I am so glad you found this amazing.

Nell Rose from England on May 31, 2014:

I loved your story shyron, so many things happening and now her bad news! wow! voted up and shared, nell

C E Clark from North Texas on May 31, 2014:

Life has so many twists and turns and it never stays the same for long does it? In the blink of an eye something can happen that will change things forever.

Voted up and interesting. Pinned to AH and shared.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on May 31, 2014:

Wow, now we know who Jackie is. Rick is a troubled man indeed. Where will he go from here? I'm interested in learning about Jackie's noise in her ear's. Well done my friend...

The Examiner-1 on May 31, 2014:

This was really amazing Shyron, I mean it was something else. I can see that Jackie and Rick were made for each other. lol I voted this up and shared it.

Kevin