She's Out Of My Life by Lonnie Schell
Chapter one:
Susan watched her niece and nephew run crazily around the park. They had not been out of the house in over a week and were making up for it today. She was certain they would have no problem sleeping tonight. Susan’s brother and his wife had just started their new jobs and were still getting used to the hours. She was excited be here with them in California which it was certainly much different than their home in Oklahoma. After her brother finished his service in the army, he moved them here for a start fresh. Susan would start college here next week. She had been thrilled to be accepted and looked forward to her future. Life was filled with possibilities and California was a piece to that puzzle.
“Aunt Susan,” she heard her niece Stephanie call. “Come push me,” she demanded as she jumped on a swing.
“Okay,” Susan replied as she stood up from the bench.
“No, she is going to push me first,” her nephew Steven told his sister.
Susan smiled at the ongoing competition. “I can push you both.”
She loved them so much, her heart swelled at the sight of them, and the thought of ever leaving them when she had to find her own place made her sad. Their mother Karen was Susan’s best friend. They had met after her brother Kenny started to date her, and it was Susan who had been there beside her as she brought these beautiful children into the world, since her brother had to miss both deliveries.
“We are going to have to leave soon, the sun is setting, your momma might get worried,” she told them as she started to push them, going from one to the other.
“No she won’t,” Stephanie said. “She knows you will take good care of us.” Stephanie was five but already was quite smart as well as bossy. She was the oldest by a year and thought she knew everything.
“Higher,” Steven called to Susan.
“No, I won’t have you falling out and hurting yourself,” she said to him.
“Will not,” he shouted back.
“Will too,” she countered. Steven was adventurous like all boys. It was hard to look into those blue eyes and deny him anything.
After playing for a bit, Susan suggested, “There is some ice cream over there. Do you all want to grab some on the way out?” The lights in the park had started to come on, and Susan never liked to be out after dark
“Ice cream,” they screamed in unison. Susan quickly stopped their swings and helped them out. Immediately they took off toward the vendor, and Susan had a hard time keeping up with them.By the time they reached their destination, she was out of breath.
“Okay,” she panted, “What favor do you want?”
“Chocolate,” they screamed. Susan laughed, turning toward the vendor.
“Three please.”
Passing them to the children, she turned to pay for them when Steven screamed and started to cry.
“OH NO!”
Susan turned back and saw he had dropped his cone on the ground. She quickly kneeled down and held him. “Shhhh, it’s okay we can get another one.”
“Is he okay?” she heard the soft voice ask.
“He’s fine, he just dropped his ice cream.” Susan said as she looked up at the intruder. The sun setting behind him made it hard to make out his features.
Kneeling down beside them, he said, “I’ll get you another one, what flavor?”
“It’s okay; I’ll get it for him.” Susan said, leery of meeting new people.
Susan watched her niece and nephew run crazily around the park. They had not been out of the house in over a week and were making up for it today. She was certain they would have no problem sleeping tonight. Susan’s brother and his wife had just started their new jobs and were still getting used to the hours. She was excited be here with them in California which it was certainly much different than their home in Oklahoma. After her brother finished his service in the army, he moved them here for a start fresh. Susan would start college here next week. She had been thrilled to be accepted and looked forward to her future. Life was filled with possibilities and California was a piece to that puzzle.
“Aunt Susan,” she heard her niece Stephanie call. “Come push me,” she demanded as she jumped on a swing.
“Okay,” Susan replied as she stood up from the bench.
“No, she is going to push me first,” her nephew Steven told his sister.
Susan smiled at the ongoing competition. “I can push you both.”
She loved them so much, her heart swelled at the sight of them, and the thought of ever leaving them when she had to find her own place made her sad. Their mother Karen was Susan’s best friend. They had met after her brother Kenny started to date her, and it was Susan who had been there beside her as she brought these beautiful children into the world, since her brother had to miss both deliveries.
“We are going to have to leave soon, the sun is setting, your momma might get worried,” she told them as she started to push them, going from one to the other.
“No she won’t,” Stephanie said. “She knows you will take good care of us.” Stephanie was five but already was quite smart as well as bossy. She was the oldest by a year and thought she knew everything.
“Higher,” Steven called to Susan.
“No, I won’t have you falling out and hurting yourself,” she said to him.
“Will not,” he shouted back.
“Will too,” she countered. Steven was adventurous like all boys. It was hard to look into those blue eyes and deny him anything.
After playing for a bit, Susan suggested, “There is some ice cream over there. Do you all want to grab some on the way out?” The lights in the park had started to come on, and Susan never liked to be out after dark
“Ice cream,” they screamed in unison. Susan quickly stopped their swings and helped them out. Immediately they took off toward the vendor, and Susan had a hard time keeping up with them.By the time they reached their destination, she was out of breath.
“Okay,” she panted, “What favor do you want?”
“Chocolate,” they screamed. Susan laughed, turning toward the vendor.
“Three please.”
Passing them to the children, she turned to pay for them when Steven screamed and started to cry.
“OH NO!”
Susan turned back and saw he had dropped his cone on the ground. She quickly kneeled down and held him. “Shhhh, it’s okay we can get another one.”
“Is he okay?” she heard the soft voice ask.
“He’s fine, he just dropped his ice cream.” Susan said as she looked up at the intruder. The sun setting behind him made it hard to make out his features.
Kneeling down beside them, he said, “I’ll get you another one, what flavor?”
“It’s okay; I’ll get it for him.” Susan said, leery of meeting new people.
The smile that touched his lip stirred butterflies in her stomach.
“Really, you looked like you could use some help; I don’t mind,” he said, looking into her eyes.
“Chocolate,” Stephanie announced.
“Thank you,” he said as he rose to his feet. He walked back to the vendor and retrieved another ice cream for Steven. “Here you go,” he said as he handed it to him.
“What do we say?” Susan reminded her nephew.
“Thank you sir,” he replied as he smiled at him.
“Michael.My name is Michael. What’s yours?” he smiled back.
“Thank you Michael, my name is Steven,” he extended his hand to offer a shake.
Michael giggled. “Well I am pleased to meet you as well.”
“I’m Stephanie,” the little girl shouted as she reached her hand out as well. Michael took it in his and shook it. “Charmed, as well,” he replied, and Stephanie giggled.
Looking at Susan rising to her feet he asked, “And you are?”
Blushing, she reached her hand out as well. “I’m Susan.” His hand caught hers and electricity shot down her arm.
“My pleasure,” he answered as a blush crept across his face as well.
“We really need to go,” she said to him.
“Allow me to walk you to your car,” he offered.
“We walked”, she replied “The house is just over there,” she pointed.
Michael smiled, “Then please allow me to walk you there.”
Susan smiled back, “I guess that would be okay.”
The children talked nonstop all the way there, which Susan appreciated. She felt funny licking the ice cream every time he turned in her direction to ask her something. Passing a trash can she threw it in.
“Do you all come here everyday?” he asked her.
“We just moved here, today was our first outing,” she replied.
“Lucky me,” he answered back.
Reaching their home, the children ran inside, and Susan turned to Michael. “Thank you for the escort home,” he smiled again.
“No problem, maybe I’ll see you there again soon.” Smiling back, she replied, “Maybe.”
Michael turned and started down the walkway. Reaching the end he turned and waved to her, and Susan waved back and watched until he was out of sight. A sigh escaped her lips as she turned and walked into the house.
Chapter two:
Kay sat on a blanket drawing a picture of the tree in front of her. As an art major, she loved to draw things. Secretly, she hoped Michael would come back and therefore was relieved when Karen had taken the children out for a movie in town today. It was good as they all needed family time. Sometimes, she felt like a burden to them, although her brother insisted she wasn’t.
Carefully she added her shadows so she would not forget where they were at this moment. The sun going down was breathtaking. She found beauty in the smallest of things, and tried to capture how she felt in her work.
“Hi,” she heard as she lost herself in her work. She smiled not having to turn around to know who was standing behind her. “Hello Michael,” she answered back.
Michael sat down on the blanket beside her, moving close to see her drawing. Susan caught a small whiff of his cologne and smiled, knowing he had taken time to put it on today.
“Wow, that’s very good,” he remarked.
“Thank you,” she replied as she started to close her tablet.
“You don’t have to stop because I’m here, “he said to her.
“It would be rude not too,” she answered back.
Michael smiled, happy with her answer. “Where are your children today?” he asked looking around.
Susan looked at him inquisitively. “My children…oh, Steven and Stephanie are my niece and nephew….I’m not married…I mean….I live with my brother and his family right now,” she stammered out.
Michael smiled at her, happy with this new information. “Good…that is, they are great kids…I just thought.”
Susan smiled back at him and blushed. “I would see how it would seem that way. They look like my brother, and I guess since we look alike I could say they look like me, too.”
Michael blushed, “You all have very pretty eyes in common.”
Susan looked down to her lap, “Thank you.”
Clearing his throat he said, “Want to go for a walk?”
“It’s getting dark,” she answered back.
“I promise to protect you, scouts honor,” he said as he held up his hand.
Susan smiled. “What about my things? We could take them to the house first I suppose”.
“Milady, I will carry them for you,” he answered gallantly as he stood and offered her a hand.
Susan giggled as he pulled her to her feet. “Thank you, kind sir.”
Michael quickly folded her blanket and threw it over his shoulder. Placing her tablet under his arm, he offered her his hand. “Shall we?”
Susan took his hand and began to walk through the park with him. The glow from the park lights lit their way, and for the first time in her life Susan was not afraid of the dark.
They followed the path deep into the park, and Susan had no idea it was so big. Coming out on the other side, she spotted some huge houses with surrounded by security gates.
“How beautiful,” she said.
Michael glanced at her, “What is?” he asked.
“The houses over there. What is this area called?” she asked him.
“Encino,” he replied. “Would you like to live in a house like that someday?”
“No,” she answered quickly.
“Why not?” he asked.
“Those people forget to enjoy the beautiful things in life and they forget to help others out. I never want to forget anyone or miss a thing,” she answered him.
Michael smiled to himself. “I don’t think we can say that since we don’t know them personally. We should always strive to put ourselves in the shoes of our fellow man. It’s not nice to judge someone based on where they live.”
Susan frowned in the dark, thinking to herself that this had been a stupid thing to say as she would not like to be judged like that herself.
“How old are you anyway?” she asked changing the subject.
“Nineteen, and you” he asked back.
“Eighteen,” she answered.
Michael smiled at this new information. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Not yet,” she smiled at him.
“That’s good since I didn’t want someone coming to beat me up,” he chuckled.
Susan laughed. “You’re safe. What about you; any girlfriends out there lurking?”
“You’re safe,” he countered. “I think it’s time to go back.”
Susan felt instant disappointment, but followed along as he turned around and steered them toward her home. The closer they walked to her house the more her stomach twisted. As he took her to her door, she turned to him. “Thank you for the walk.”
“Your most welcome; thank you for the company,” he said smiling at her.
“God, he had to know how powerful that smile was,” she thought to herself.
“Would you like to come in?” she asked hopefully.
“Maybe next time. But I would like to ask you if it’s okay if I give you a hug good night?” he asked, searching her eyes.
“Hug, kiss, whatever you want,”’ she thought her mind racing with excitement. “I would like that,” she said instead.
He pulled her tightly to his body. Susan sighed, thinking that he was absolute perfection. Releasing her, he waved as he started on his way again. She waved back and watched him until he was out of sight. “Just perfect,” she sighed as she went into the house.
Chapter three:
“You know Kenny is only going because I asked him too. We could go and leave him here to watch the kids,” Karen said to her.
“You know I don’t like the Jackson 5. I prefer the Osmond’s,” Susan sighed back to her sister-in-law.
“Really, you looked like you could use some help; I don’t mind,” he said, looking into her eyes.
“Chocolate,” Stephanie announced.
“Thank you,” he said as he rose to his feet. He walked back to the vendor and retrieved another ice cream for Steven. “Here you go,” he said as he handed it to him.
“What do we say?” Susan reminded her nephew.
“Thank you sir,” he replied as he smiled at him.
“Michael.My name is Michael. What’s yours?” he smiled back.
“Thank you Michael, my name is Steven,” he extended his hand to offer a shake.
Michael giggled. “Well I am pleased to meet you as well.”
“I’m Stephanie,” the little girl shouted as she reached her hand out as well. Michael took it in his and shook it. “Charmed, as well,” he replied, and Stephanie giggled.
Looking at Susan rising to her feet he asked, “And you are?”
Blushing, she reached her hand out as well. “I’m Susan.” His hand caught hers and electricity shot down her arm.
“My pleasure,” he answered as a blush crept across his face as well.
“We really need to go,” she said to him.
“Allow me to walk you to your car,” he offered.
“We walked”, she replied “The house is just over there,” she pointed.
Michael smiled, “Then please allow me to walk you there.”
Susan smiled back, “I guess that would be okay.”
The children talked nonstop all the way there, which Susan appreciated. She felt funny licking the ice cream every time he turned in her direction to ask her something. Passing a trash can she threw it in.
“Do you all come here everyday?” he asked her.
“We just moved here, today was our first outing,” she replied.
“Lucky me,” he answered back.
Reaching their home, the children ran inside, and Susan turned to Michael. “Thank you for the escort home,” he smiled again.
“No problem, maybe I’ll see you there again soon.” Smiling back, she replied, “Maybe.”
Michael turned and started down the walkway. Reaching the end he turned and waved to her, and Susan waved back and watched until he was out of sight. A sigh escaped her lips as she turned and walked into the house.
Chapter two:
Kay sat on a blanket drawing a picture of the tree in front of her. As an art major, she loved to draw things. Secretly, she hoped Michael would come back and therefore was relieved when Karen had taken the children out for a movie in town today. It was good as they all needed family time. Sometimes, she felt like a burden to them, although her brother insisted she wasn’t.
Carefully she added her shadows so she would not forget where they were at this moment. The sun going down was breathtaking. She found beauty in the smallest of things, and tried to capture how she felt in her work.
“Hi,” she heard as she lost herself in her work. She smiled not having to turn around to know who was standing behind her. “Hello Michael,” she answered back.
Michael sat down on the blanket beside her, moving close to see her drawing. Susan caught a small whiff of his cologne and smiled, knowing he had taken time to put it on today.
“Wow, that’s very good,” he remarked.
“Thank you,” she replied as she started to close her tablet.
“You don’t have to stop because I’m here, “he said to her.
“It would be rude not too,” she answered back.
Michael smiled, happy with her answer. “Where are your children today?” he asked looking around.
Susan looked at him inquisitively. “My children…oh, Steven and Stephanie are my niece and nephew….I’m not married…I mean….I live with my brother and his family right now,” she stammered out.
Michael smiled at her, happy with this new information. “Good…that is, they are great kids…I just thought.”
Susan smiled back at him and blushed. “I would see how it would seem that way. They look like my brother, and I guess since we look alike I could say they look like me, too.”
Michael blushed, “You all have very pretty eyes in common.”
Susan looked down to her lap, “Thank you.”
Clearing his throat he said, “Want to go for a walk?”
“It’s getting dark,” she answered back.
“I promise to protect you, scouts honor,” he said as he held up his hand.
Susan smiled. “What about my things? We could take them to the house first I suppose”.
“Milady, I will carry them for you,” he answered gallantly as he stood and offered her a hand.
Susan giggled as he pulled her to her feet. “Thank you, kind sir.”
Michael quickly folded her blanket and threw it over his shoulder. Placing her tablet under his arm, he offered her his hand. “Shall we?”
Susan took his hand and began to walk through the park with him. The glow from the park lights lit their way, and for the first time in her life Susan was not afraid of the dark.
They followed the path deep into the park, and Susan had no idea it was so big. Coming out on the other side, she spotted some huge houses with surrounded by security gates.
“How beautiful,” she said.
Michael glanced at her, “What is?” he asked.
“The houses over there. What is this area called?” she asked him.
“Encino,” he replied. “Would you like to live in a house like that someday?”
“No,” she answered quickly.
“Why not?” he asked.
“Those people forget to enjoy the beautiful things in life and they forget to help others out. I never want to forget anyone or miss a thing,” she answered him.
Michael smiled to himself. “I don’t think we can say that since we don’t know them personally. We should always strive to put ourselves in the shoes of our fellow man. It’s not nice to judge someone based on where they live.”
Susan frowned in the dark, thinking to herself that this had been a stupid thing to say as she would not like to be judged like that herself.
“How old are you anyway?” she asked changing the subject.
“Nineteen, and you” he asked back.
“Eighteen,” she answered.
Michael smiled at this new information. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Not yet,” she smiled at him.
“That’s good since I didn’t want someone coming to beat me up,” he chuckled.
Susan laughed. “You’re safe. What about you; any girlfriends out there lurking?”
“You’re safe,” he countered. “I think it’s time to go back.”
Susan felt instant disappointment, but followed along as he turned around and steered them toward her home. The closer they walked to her house the more her stomach twisted. As he took her to her door, she turned to him. “Thank you for the walk.”
“Your most welcome; thank you for the company,” he said smiling at her.
“God, he had to know how powerful that smile was,” she thought to herself.
“Would you like to come in?” she asked hopefully.
“Maybe next time. But I would like to ask you if it’s okay if I give you a hug good night?” he asked, searching her eyes.
“Hug, kiss, whatever you want,”’ she thought her mind racing with excitement. “I would like that,” she said instead.
He pulled her tightly to his body. Susan sighed, thinking that he was absolute perfection. Releasing her, he waved as he started on his way again. She waved back and watched him until he was out of sight. “Just perfect,” she sighed as she went into the house.
Chapter three:
“You know Kenny is only going because I asked him too. We could go and leave him here to watch the kids,” Karen said to her.
“You know I don’t like the Jackson 5. I prefer the Osmond’s,” Susan sighed back to her sister-in-law.
Karen snorted, “Are you crazy? The Jackson’s are twenty times hotter than them. Their music has got it going on,” she said as she turned on the record player. Dancing Machine filled the air. “Just listen,, she said as she danced around the room.
Susan smiled at Karen. Although not a crazed fan like her sister-in-law, she had to admit it was groovy. “I’m still not going. You and Kenny need a night out together; maybe next time,” she said, hoping to satisfy her.
“Next time,” Karen wailed. “They don’t have concerts every day.”
“I’m sure there will be a next time,” she countered.
Karen switched to the song One day in your life and began to sway around the room.
Susan smiled as her thoughts went to her Michael, wondering if he would be in the park waiting for her, and whether he would be sad when she wasn’t. She laughed as her brother came into the room and took Karen into his arms, dancing with her slowly. She sighed wishing she had someone who loved her as much as Kenny loved Karen. They had a perfect life, and they were the perfect couple. “Maybe one day,” she hoped to herself. Quietly, she walked out of the room to give them time to themselves. The song stuck in her head, and she found herself humming it as she washed the dishes.
It took two stories, but finally the kids agreed to go to sleep. Now she wished they would have stayed up as she felt lonely. Taking out her tablet she began to draw, and before long Michael’s face stared back at her from the page, smiling that beautiful smile. It was well after midnight before her brother and his wife made it back.
Smiling at their arrival, Susan quickly cleaned up her mess. “Oh my God,” Karen said as she floated in the room. “That was like the best concert ever.”
“It was okay, but I was glad when it was over. I swore she was going to jump up on that stage and rip Michael’s clothes off,” Kenny laughed.
Karen piped up, “Damn security.” Susan laughed at their exchange.
“Thanks for the night out,” her brother said as he kissed the top of her head.
“You’re welcome, and before you ask, the kids were great,” she said.
“Come on you crazed fan, let’s see if you can come down from the clouds and get some sleep, before we both have to drag through the day tomorrow.” He grabbed his wife’s hand and pulled her toward their room. “Night sis,” he called. “Night,” Karen echoed as she allowed herself to be dragged away.
“Good night,” she replied as she made the couch up to sleep on. Sleep was not easy, and her thoughts slipped to Michael as she tossed. “Please don’t be mad,” she whispered into the room.
Michael ran to the park. “Please don’t be mad,” he whispered into the dark. “Please be there.” Disappointment filled him as he reached the spot. He knew she was afraid of the dark, so why did he think she would be waiting for him? Heading towards her house, he raced down the road. “Why did I not tell her I was busy tonight?” he said to himself. Stopping short in front of her house, he noticed the lights were off probably because it was well after midnight. He turned for home and slowly walked away.
Chapter four:
“So when were you going to tell us?” Karen asked her.
“It’s not like we are going out; we just take walks together,” Susan replied.
“Still, I would feel better if you brought him in to meet us. If he can walk you here, then he can walk in as well….a gentleman would do so,” Kenny said to her.
“Well, if he shows up and he isn’t mad at me I will ask him. But he that might not happen, though…” she sighed.
Pulling out her tablet, she hurried to the park, praying all the way he would show up. Coming across the lawn, she saw Michael sitting on the bench, and her heart beat wildly in her chest as she approached him. Staring off into the distance, he never heard her approach.
“I am so sorry,” she gushed.
Michael looked up surprised to see her, and his heart leaped to his throat. He swallowed the lump forming there. “You’re sorry? I should be saying I’m sorry.”
“Something came up,” they both said in unison.
Susan laughed “Oh my God, you, too?”
Michael patted the seat beside him and watched as she sat down, “I had a family thing I had to take care of. I forgot to tell you until it already was time to be there. I felt so bad all night….I just knew you would be mad at me.”
Susan looked at him. “It’s no big deal. It’s not like was set a time or it was a date or anything,” she said as she blushed.
Michael looked down at her. “I kind of thought it was an understanding, and I would be honored to meet you here every day.”Feeling his cheeks flush, he looked away before she could notice. “So what did you do last night?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I had to babysit, so my brother could take his wife to see the Jackson Five. They played here last night,” she said to him.
“Really? Do you like them as well,” he asked, fishing for more information.
“Me? They’re okay I guess, but I like the Osmond’s more. My sister-in-law is crazy about them, though.” Susan laughed, “My brother said he had to work hard to keep her from going after Michael onstage.”
Michael threw back his head and laughed, “Wow she must really like him.”
Susan giggled “Yeah, she is like their biggest fan. She has all the albums, she plays them all the time, and dances around.”
“Well, I am not surprised since every girl I’ve ever met seems to be their fans.” he said. “Michael has quite a lot of girls chasing him,- lucky guy.”
“Why is he lucky? Just because he’s famous? Big deal….I like my Michael better, and I would rather sit here in this park with you than chase after him,” she said boldly.
Michael smiled at her. “Your Michael?” he asked. Susan blushed, “I mean,” she started.
“I know what you mean, and I like it,” he said as he wrapped her in his arms for a hug.
They sat on the bench as the sun set, Michael protectively keeping his arm around her neck as she snuggled into his side. “My Michael,” she thought to herself.
“Her Michael,” he thought as well, smiling to himself.
Walking her across the park to her home Michael was taken aback when she said, “By the way, you have to come in this time and meet my family.” Thinking of her sister in law, he answered, “Maybe tonight is not a good idea.”
“Why not?” she asked, turning to him as they neared the walkway.
Michael didn’t know what to say. “I just have a hard time meeting new people,” he forced out.
“So do I, but the kids adored you, and so will everyone else,” she said smiling at him. Seeing the worry come to his eyes, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
Michael searched looked for an excuse. “It’s really late, and I don’t want to bother them. Besides, kids are much easier to deal with than adults.”
“But they told me you have to meet them. They’re off tomorrow, the lights are on, so I know they’re up. They are great people, you’re going to love them,” she pleaded.
Michael stared down at her not knowing what to do. “Tomorrow, we can do this tomorrow,” he began. “I promise, after we meet, I’ll walk you home early and introduce myself. But there is something I need to tell you first,” he explained.
“You can tell me now,” she stated hopefully.
Michael smiled down into her eyes. “Just give me one day to get ready, okay?”
“They won’t bite,” she said, taking his hesitation as fear. “I promise.”
Michael surprised them both by pulling her chin to his face and slowly lowering his lips to her. Gently, he placed a small kiss on her lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him tightly to her. Taking her sigh as permission Michael’s lips caught hers again in a lingering kiss. “Tomorrow,” he whispered to her.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered back.
Floating into the house, she never realized how quickly Michael made his way out of there that night.
“Tomorrow,” she explained to her family.
Chapter five:
“Oh My God, it’s already out,” Karen screamed grabbing Susan’s attention. Susan had agreed to come to town with her, but after three hours of running around she had reached her limit. She hated to shop, and she hated walking down the crowded street as she worried about the children who were dragging.
Susan looked at Stephanie making a face, and at her giggle she answered, “What’s out?”
“Only a new Jackson album,” she replied.
“I want to see, Mommy,” Stephanie demanded. Holding the album in her small hands, Stephanie turned to her aunt, “Look it’s Michael,” she said pointing to a picture.
Susan quickly looked. “That’s great baby…Karen, don’t you think it’s time to head for home?”
“Did you know he was a singer Aunt Susan?” Stephanie asked.
Susan looked at her confused. “Who’s a singer?” she asked.
“Michael,” Stephanie replied looking annoyed. “Michael Jackson, he is right here on the album,” she repeated pointing to it again.
“I said that’s nice,” Susan repeated as they headed for the counter. Karen took the album from her daughter to pay for it.
“You have already brainwashed her,” Susan stated.
“I didn’t know she knew his name, she just likes to hear him sing.” Susan said as she shrugged.
As they were coming out Stephanie continued. “I know him because I met him in the park with Aunt Susan. He bought Steven an ice cream when he dropped his on the ground…he was very nice and walked us home.”
Susan smiled at Karen. Although not a crazed fan like her sister-in-law, she had to admit it was groovy. “I’m still not going. You and Kenny need a night out together; maybe next time,” she said, hoping to satisfy her.
“Next time,” Karen wailed. “They don’t have concerts every day.”
“I’m sure there will be a next time,” she countered.
Karen switched to the song One day in your life and began to sway around the room.
Susan smiled as her thoughts went to her Michael, wondering if he would be in the park waiting for her, and whether he would be sad when she wasn’t. She laughed as her brother came into the room and took Karen into his arms, dancing with her slowly. She sighed wishing she had someone who loved her as much as Kenny loved Karen. They had a perfect life, and they were the perfect couple. “Maybe one day,” she hoped to herself. Quietly, she walked out of the room to give them time to themselves. The song stuck in her head, and she found herself humming it as she washed the dishes.
It took two stories, but finally the kids agreed to go to sleep. Now she wished they would have stayed up as she felt lonely. Taking out her tablet she began to draw, and before long Michael’s face stared back at her from the page, smiling that beautiful smile. It was well after midnight before her brother and his wife made it back.
Smiling at their arrival, Susan quickly cleaned up her mess. “Oh my God,” Karen said as she floated in the room. “That was like the best concert ever.”
“It was okay, but I was glad when it was over. I swore she was going to jump up on that stage and rip Michael’s clothes off,” Kenny laughed.
Karen piped up, “Damn security.” Susan laughed at their exchange.
“Thanks for the night out,” her brother said as he kissed the top of her head.
“You’re welcome, and before you ask, the kids were great,” she said.
“Come on you crazed fan, let’s see if you can come down from the clouds and get some sleep, before we both have to drag through the day tomorrow.” He grabbed his wife’s hand and pulled her toward their room. “Night sis,” he called. “Night,” Karen echoed as she allowed herself to be dragged away.
“Good night,” she replied as she made the couch up to sleep on. Sleep was not easy, and her thoughts slipped to Michael as she tossed. “Please don’t be mad,” she whispered into the room.
Michael ran to the park. “Please don’t be mad,” he whispered into the dark. “Please be there.” Disappointment filled him as he reached the spot. He knew she was afraid of the dark, so why did he think she would be waiting for him? Heading towards her house, he raced down the road. “Why did I not tell her I was busy tonight?” he said to himself. Stopping short in front of her house, he noticed the lights were off probably because it was well after midnight. He turned for home and slowly walked away.
Chapter four:
“So when were you going to tell us?” Karen asked her.
“It’s not like we are going out; we just take walks together,” Susan replied.
“Still, I would feel better if you brought him in to meet us. If he can walk you here, then he can walk in as well….a gentleman would do so,” Kenny said to her.
“Well, if he shows up and he isn’t mad at me I will ask him. But he that might not happen, though…” she sighed.
Pulling out her tablet, she hurried to the park, praying all the way he would show up. Coming across the lawn, she saw Michael sitting on the bench, and her heart beat wildly in her chest as she approached him. Staring off into the distance, he never heard her approach.
“I am so sorry,” she gushed.
Michael looked up surprised to see her, and his heart leaped to his throat. He swallowed the lump forming there. “You’re sorry? I should be saying I’m sorry.”
“Something came up,” they both said in unison.
Susan laughed “Oh my God, you, too?”
Michael patted the seat beside him and watched as she sat down, “I had a family thing I had to take care of. I forgot to tell you until it already was time to be there. I felt so bad all night….I just knew you would be mad at me.”
Susan looked at him. “It’s no big deal. It’s not like was set a time or it was a date or anything,” she said as she blushed.
Michael looked down at her. “I kind of thought it was an understanding, and I would be honored to meet you here every day.”Feeling his cheeks flush, he looked away before she could notice. “So what did you do last night?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I had to babysit, so my brother could take his wife to see the Jackson Five. They played here last night,” she said to him.
“Really? Do you like them as well,” he asked, fishing for more information.
“Me? They’re okay I guess, but I like the Osmond’s more. My sister-in-law is crazy about them, though.” Susan laughed, “My brother said he had to work hard to keep her from going after Michael onstage.”
Michael threw back his head and laughed, “Wow she must really like him.”
Susan giggled “Yeah, she is like their biggest fan. She has all the albums, she plays them all the time, and dances around.”
“Well, I am not surprised since every girl I’ve ever met seems to be their fans.” he said. “Michael has quite a lot of girls chasing him,- lucky guy.”
“Why is he lucky? Just because he’s famous? Big deal….I like my Michael better, and I would rather sit here in this park with you than chase after him,” she said boldly.
Michael smiled at her. “Your Michael?” he asked. Susan blushed, “I mean,” she started.
“I know what you mean, and I like it,” he said as he wrapped her in his arms for a hug.
They sat on the bench as the sun set, Michael protectively keeping his arm around her neck as she snuggled into his side. “My Michael,” she thought to herself.
“Her Michael,” he thought as well, smiling to himself.
Walking her across the park to her home Michael was taken aback when she said, “By the way, you have to come in this time and meet my family.” Thinking of her sister in law, he answered, “Maybe tonight is not a good idea.”
“Why not?” she asked, turning to him as they neared the walkway.
Michael didn’t know what to say. “I just have a hard time meeting new people,” he forced out.
“So do I, but the kids adored you, and so will everyone else,” she said smiling at him. Seeing the worry come to his eyes, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
Michael searched looked for an excuse. “It’s really late, and I don’t want to bother them. Besides, kids are much easier to deal with than adults.”
“But they told me you have to meet them. They’re off tomorrow, the lights are on, so I know they’re up. They are great people, you’re going to love them,” she pleaded.
Michael stared down at her not knowing what to do. “Tomorrow, we can do this tomorrow,” he began. “I promise, after we meet, I’ll walk you home early and introduce myself. But there is something I need to tell you first,” he explained.
“You can tell me now,” she stated hopefully.
Michael smiled down into her eyes. “Just give me one day to get ready, okay?”
“They won’t bite,” she said, taking his hesitation as fear. “I promise.”
Michael surprised them both by pulling her chin to his face and slowly lowering his lips to her. Gently, he placed a small kiss on her lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him tightly to her. Taking her sigh as permission Michael’s lips caught hers again in a lingering kiss. “Tomorrow,” he whispered to her.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered back.
Floating into the house, she never realized how quickly Michael made his way out of there that night.
“Tomorrow,” she explained to her family.
Chapter five:
“Oh My God, it’s already out,” Karen screamed grabbing Susan’s attention. Susan had agreed to come to town with her, but after three hours of running around she had reached her limit. She hated to shop, and she hated walking down the crowded street as she worried about the children who were dragging.
Susan looked at Stephanie making a face, and at her giggle she answered, “What’s out?”
“Only a new Jackson album,” she replied.
“I want to see, Mommy,” Stephanie demanded. Holding the album in her small hands, Stephanie turned to her aunt, “Look it’s Michael,” she said pointing to a picture.
Susan quickly looked. “That’s great baby…Karen, don’t you think it’s time to head for home?”
“Did you know he was a singer Aunt Susan?” Stephanie asked.
Susan looked at her confused. “Who’s a singer?” she asked.
“Michael,” Stephanie replied looking annoyed. “Michael Jackson, he is right here on the album,” she repeated pointing to it again.
“I said that’s nice,” Susan repeated as they headed for the counter. Karen took the album from her daughter to pay for it.
“You have already brainwashed her,” Susan stated.
“I didn’t know she knew his name, she just likes to hear him sing.” Susan said as she shrugged.
As they were coming out Stephanie continued. “I know him because I met him in the park with Aunt Susan. He bought Steven an ice cream when he dropped his on the ground…he was very nice and walked us home.”
Stopping in the middle of the doorway, Susan stared shocked at her niece. Karen spun around at her daughter’s words, searching Susan’s eyes. “Let me see that album again,” she demanded. Karen handed her the bag. Pulling it out slowly, she stared at Michael’s face smiling back at her. “Oh my God, it’s true.” She said feeling ill. “How did you know his last name?” she asked.
Delighted to be the center of attention Stephanie continued. “I asked him as we walked home, and he told me.”
“He told us,” Steven piped up.
“Well, I asked him,” she returned.
“So…?” “So…,” they said as they started to argue back and forth.
Karen did not pay any attention to them. “He told you who he was and you didn’t tell me…you know I am a fan, Susan.” She scoffed, glaring at her sister-in-law.
“I didn’t hear him say that,” Susan answered softly.
“How could you not hear him?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.
Susan’s mind raced. Trying to remember but unable to come up with an answer, she interrupted the fight. “When did he tell you?” she questioned them.
“Um…when you were at the trash can throwing away your ice cream….which Michael said was wasteful, by the way,” Stephanie replied.
“Oh my God,” Karen said hugging her. “My sister is dating Michael Jackson…..Oh no…..he’s coming to met us tonight…we have to get home.”
On their drive home, Karen was so excited she could not seem to shut up while Susan felt like she had lost her best friend. She wondered if he had not told her because he did not trust her. “And he is coming over tonight,” she groaned.
Kenny looked at her with shock as he heard the news, which Karen happily filled him in on. Recovering, he sent her inside promising to unload the car. “You really didn’t know?” he asked, searching her eyes.
Susan was close to tears. “No,” she said as they fell from her eyes.
Kenny hugged her. “It’s okay, so you didn’t know, it’s no big deal….you didn’t sleep with him, did you?” he asked.
Shoving him away, she screamed, “No!” Sitting on the curb, she placed her head in her hands and cried, “I must seem so stupid to him.”
Kenny sat down next to her, pulling her back into his arms as she sobbed. “Susan I don’t know why he did it, but I am sure there is a reason. He seems nice enough….you know how all those girls chase after him.” Susan nodded.
“Maybe he was happy to meet someone who didn’t like him because he is a star…maybe he was happy you didn’t know him…I don’t know, maybe he wanted a friend.”
“I don’t want to be his friend, and I never want to see him again, ever,” she said.
Chapter six:
Slipping out to the park to find Michael, Kenny’s footsteps were determined. How dare this man hurt his baby sister? Star or no star, no one was going to treat his sister this way. Kenny grumbled as he sought out Michael across the park, marching up to him after spotting his target.
Michael watched the angry-looking man who stormed across the grass heading right for him. “Are you Michael?” he demanded from him. “Yes,” Michael answered looking up into his face. Recognizing the eyes immediately, he jumped up. “Where’s Susan?” he asked boldly.
“Not coming,” Kenny threw back. “And I am here to make sure you know why. Let me tell you something, Michael Jackson,” he spat out. Michael groaned, knowing that Susan had found out. “Maybe you like playing games with people…..maybe you like hurting young girls…but noone and I mean NOONE hurts my sister,” he screamed.
“I wasn’t playing a game with her,” Michael tried to explain. Quickly, Kenny’s fist shot out and made contact with Michael’s cheek. Michael stumbled back stunned, his hand flying up to cover his cheek. “I deserved that,” he said softly.
“Damn right you did,” Kenny shot back.
“I swear, I was going to tell her tonight before we came to your house,” he said.
“Why wait till then?” Realizing the reason, Kenny said, “Oh never mind, I know: because you knew we would recognize you.”
Michael nodded. “Well you’re a day late. She found out going to town today, where your picture gave you away. Why did you do it? Why did you not just tell her?” he glared at Michael.
Michael felt tears coming to his eyes. He blinked them back as to not cry in front of this man standing before him. He replied, because I needed to know she liked me because I was me. You have no idea how many people like you for what you are and who you know instead of for what’s in your heart or take the time to find out what you are truly about.” He fell back on the bench and placed his head in his hands, hiding the tears he so desperately tried to hold in.
Delighted to be the center of attention Stephanie continued. “I asked him as we walked home, and he told me.”
“He told us,” Steven piped up.
“Well, I asked him,” she returned.
“So…?” “So…,” they said as they started to argue back and forth.
Karen did not pay any attention to them. “He told you who he was and you didn’t tell me…you know I am a fan, Susan.” She scoffed, glaring at her sister-in-law.
“I didn’t hear him say that,” Susan answered softly.
“How could you not hear him?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.
Susan’s mind raced. Trying to remember but unable to come up with an answer, she interrupted the fight. “When did he tell you?” she questioned them.
“Um…when you were at the trash can throwing away your ice cream….which Michael said was wasteful, by the way,” Stephanie replied.
“Oh my God,” Karen said hugging her. “My sister is dating Michael Jackson…..Oh no…..he’s coming to met us tonight…we have to get home.”
On their drive home, Karen was so excited she could not seem to shut up while Susan felt like she had lost her best friend. She wondered if he had not told her because he did not trust her. “And he is coming over tonight,” she groaned.
Kenny looked at her with shock as he heard the news, which Karen happily filled him in on. Recovering, he sent her inside promising to unload the car. “You really didn’t know?” he asked, searching her eyes.
Susan was close to tears. “No,” she said as they fell from her eyes.
Kenny hugged her. “It’s okay, so you didn’t know, it’s no big deal….you didn’t sleep with him, did you?” he asked.
Shoving him away, she screamed, “No!” Sitting on the curb, she placed her head in her hands and cried, “I must seem so stupid to him.”
Kenny sat down next to her, pulling her back into his arms as she sobbed. “Susan I don’t know why he did it, but I am sure there is a reason. He seems nice enough….you know how all those girls chase after him.” Susan nodded.
“Maybe he was happy to meet someone who didn’t like him because he is a star…maybe he was happy you didn’t know him…I don’t know, maybe he wanted a friend.”
“I don’t want to be his friend, and I never want to see him again, ever,” she said.
Chapter six:
Slipping out to the park to find Michael, Kenny’s footsteps were determined. How dare this man hurt his baby sister? Star or no star, no one was going to treat his sister this way. Kenny grumbled as he sought out Michael across the park, marching up to him after spotting his target.
Michael watched the angry-looking man who stormed across the grass heading right for him. “Are you Michael?” he demanded from him. “Yes,” Michael answered looking up into his face. Recognizing the eyes immediately, he jumped up. “Where’s Susan?” he asked boldly.
“Not coming,” Kenny threw back. “And I am here to make sure you know why. Let me tell you something, Michael Jackson,” he spat out. Michael groaned, knowing that Susan had found out. “Maybe you like playing games with people…..maybe you like hurting young girls…but noone and I mean NOONE hurts my sister,” he screamed.
“I wasn’t playing a game with her,” Michael tried to explain. Quickly, Kenny’s fist shot out and made contact with Michael’s cheek. Michael stumbled back stunned, his hand flying up to cover his cheek. “I deserved that,” he said softly.
“Damn right you did,” Kenny shot back.
“I swear, I was going to tell her tonight before we came to your house,” he said.
“Why wait till then?” Realizing the reason, Kenny said, “Oh never mind, I know: because you knew we would recognize you.”
Michael nodded. “Well you’re a day late. She found out going to town today, where your picture gave you away. Why did you do it? Why did you not just tell her?” he glared at Michael.
Michael felt tears coming to his eyes. He blinked them back as to not cry in front of this man standing before him. He replied, because I needed to know she liked me because I was me. You have no idea how many people like you for what you are and who you know instead of for what’s in your heart or take the time to find out what you are truly about.” He fell back on the bench and placed his head in his hands, hiding the tears he so desperately tried to hold in.
Kenny flopped down beside him, patting him on the back. “You’re right, I’m sorry….I let my temper get control of me instead of thinking this through.”
“It’s okay,” Michael mumbled back. “I have sisters, too, and I am very protective of them as well.”
“Are we cool man?” Kenny asked extending his hand. “We’re cool,” Michael said as he took it. “Come on, I’ll straighten all this out for you,” Kenny said as he stood holding his hand out to pull Michael up. Michael’s face caught the light. “Jesus!” Kenny said, “I didn’t know I hit you that hard.” “Is it bad?” Michael asked him. “Yeah, let’s get you some ice as well.”
As they walked across the park to his home, Kenny felt bad. Michael’s image onstage was definitely different from the shy boy he had walking next to him. He found himself asking a lot of questions that Michael meekly answered for him. He was surprised Michael answered them so honestly. The boy really was not trying to hurt Susan, of that he was sure of. Another thing he was sure of was Michael Jackson definitely needed a friend.
Chapter seven:
They slipped in through the back door to the kitchen, and Kenny worked on an ice pack for Michael’s face. He groaned as he saw it in the light. “Damn temper,” he said to himself as he tried not to worry the boy.
“What are you doing?” Karen asked as she heard the noise from the kitchen.
“Making a drink,” he replied.
Karen strolled into the kitchen, stopping short when she saw Michael sitting in her chair.
In her head she screamed, “Oh my God!” She wanted to jump up and down and run down the block in her excitement but her concern for her sister-in-law stopped her short. Seeing his face, she whispered angrily to her husband, “What the hell did you do to him?”
“I hit him,” he shrugged. “You hit him? You hit Michael Jackson? Are you crazy?” Strolling over she whispered to Michael, “Are you okay…do you need a doctor?”
Michael was assuring her he was fine when Susan came into the room. “Why are you two being so quiet…you better not be..,” she stopped short as her eyes fell on Michael. Karen moved quickly to stand beside her husband who was staring at her. Michael put down the ice pack to try to smile at Susan, but the pain made him flinch. “Oh my God Michael, what did he do to you?” she cried as she ran across the room to him.
“Told you to butt out,” Karen said to her husband smartly. “Didn’t I say she couldn’t stay mad and she just needed to calm down a bit?”
Kenny moaned. What she had said was the he needed to go over there and ‘kick his ass.’ Women were a strange lot. “Yes dear, I was in the wrong here, I should have listened to you,” he added.
Susan fussed over him, apologizing again and again. Kenny pulled on his wife’s hand. “Let’s let them talk alone.” “But,” she started then, looking at her husband’s face, she followed him out.
“So, I like your family,” Michael began.
Susan threw her head back and laughed. “I can see that…my brother made quite the impression on you…here is some…and there…and over here.”
“No really,” he said again, “After he hit me, we had a nice talk on the way over.”
“I’m sorry,” she said again. “When I found out who you were, I was angry you didn’t tell me…then I thought about our walk to the houses and what you said when I judged the people living there. I then realized you just wanted to make sure I like you because you were my Michael.”
“Exactly,” he said. “I knew I wanted to get to know you better…I wish we had more time.”
Susan smiled at him, “I have a lot of time on my hands.”
“How about a walk then?” he said to her. “A walk would be lovely,” she replied.
Strolling through the park again, he brought her back to the houses. “See that one there?” he asked as he pointed to one. Susan nodded. “That’s where I live. Maybe someday you can come meet my family?”
“I would love to,” she replied. Michael chuckled. “Just don’t mention you’re an Osmond fan, because my father would throw a fit.” Smiling back in his eyes, she crossed her heart.
Walking her back to her house, he paused outside to kiss her gently and bid her a good night as he walked away.
Michael’s cheek was throbbing, but for some reason it didn’t matter. All that mattered was Susan liked him, and she was not mad anymore for not telling her the truth up front.
“It’s okay,” Michael mumbled back. “I have sisters, too, and I am very protective of them as well.”
“Are we cool man?” Kenny asked extending his hand. “We’re cool,” Michael said as he took it. “Come on, I’ll straighten all this out for you,” Kenny said as he stood holding his hand out to pull Michael up. Michael’s face caught the light. “Jesus!” Kenny said, “I didn’t know I hit you that hard.” “Is it bad?” Michael asked him. “Yeah, let’s get you some ice as well.”
As they walked across the park to his home, Kenny felt bad. Michael’s image onstage was definitely different from the shy boy he had walking next to him. He found himself asking a lot of questions that Michael meekly answered for him. He was surprised Michael answered them so honestly. The boy really was not trying to hurt Susan, of that he was sure of. Another thing he was sure of was Michael Jackson definitely needed a friend.
Chapter seven:
They slipped in through the back door to the kitchen, and Kenny worked on an ice pack for Michael’s face. He groaned as he saw it in the light. “Damn temper,” he said to himself as he tried not to worry the boy.
“What are you doing?” Karen asked as she heard the noise from the kitchen.
“Making a drink,” he replied.
Karen strolled into the kitchen, stopping short when she saw Michael sitting in her chair.
In her head she screamed, “Oh my God!” She wanted to jump up and down and run down the block in her excitement but her concern for her sister-in-law stopped her short. Seeing his face, she whispered angrily to her husband, “What the hell did you do to him?”
“I hit him,” he shrugged. “You hit him? You hit Michael Jackson? Are you crazy?” Strolling over she whispered to Michael, “Are you okay…do you need a doctor?”
Michael was assuring her he was fine when Susan came into the room. “Why are you two being so quiet…you better not be..,” she stopped short as her eyes fell on Michael. Karen moved quickly to stand beside her husband who was staring at her. Michael put down the ice pack to try to smile at Susan, but the pain made him flinch. “Oh my God Michael, what did he do to you?” she cried as she ran across the room to him.
“Told you to butt out,” Karen said to her husband smartly. “Didn’t I say she couldn’t stay mad and she just needed to calm down a bit?”
Kenny moaned. What she had said was the he needed to go over there and ‘kick his ass.’ Women were a strange lot. “Yes dear, I was in the wrong here, I should have listened to you,” he added.
Susan fussed over him, apologizing again and again. Kenny pulled on his wife’s hand. “Let’s let them talk alone.” “But,” she started then, looking at her husband’s face, she followed him out.
“So, I like your family,” Michael began.
Susan threw her head back and laughed. “I can see that…my brother made quite the impression on you…here is some…and there…and over here.”
“No really,” he said again, “After he hit me, we had a nice talk on the way over.”
“I’m sorry,” she said again. “When I found out who you were, I was angry you didn’t tell me…then I thought about our walk to the houses and what you said when I judged the people living there. I then realized you just wanted to make sure I like you because you were my Michael.”
“Exactly,” he said. “I knew I wanted to get to know you better…I wish we had more time.”
Susan smiled at him, “I have a lot of time on my hands.”
“How about a walk then?” he said to her. “A walk would be lovely,” she replied.
Strolling through the park again, he brought her back to the houses. “See that one there?” he asked as he pointed to one. Susan nodded. “That’s where I live. Maybe someday you can come meet my family?”
“I would love to,” she replied. Michael chuckled. “Just don’t mention you’re an Osmond fan, because my father would throw a fit.” Smiling back in his eyes, she crossed her heart.
Walking her back to her house, he paused outside to kiss her gently and bid her a good night as he walked away.
Michael’s cheek was throbbing, but for some reason it didn’t matter. All that mattered was Susan liked him, and she was not mad anymore for not telling her the truth up front.
Chapter eight:
A knock sounded at the door, and Kenny went to open it. He looked at the visitors in shock before standing back and allowing them in. Karen walked into the room from the kitchen and screamed, “Oh my Lord! The Jackson Five!”
Susan, who had been right behind Karen entering the room, stared in shock as she glanced at the men who in small ways resembled Michael. Karen had announced them as the Jackson Five, but in truth there were only three; and two of them looked pissed. “Hello,” she said as she walked toward them.
“You must be Susan,” the man said as he shook her hand. “Michael described you so well I feel I already know you.” Susan smiled at his comment and blushed. “My name is Marlon, this guy on my left is Jackie, and to the right is Tito.” Susan smiled at them and shook their hands.
“Would you please have a seat?” she asked pointing to the couch. “Something to drink perhaps?” she offered.
Marlon smiled, “That would be lovely.”
Susan turned to Karen. “Do you want to help me in the kitchen?”
“Not really,” Karen threw back.
“I will,” Kenny offered.
Susan hurried around the kitchen to prepare the iced tea for her guests. She heard her niece’s voice echo through the house.
“So I told him, and he bought one then. Aunt Susan did not even know who he was, but I did.” Coming into the living room, she found her sitting on Tito’s lap, as always demanding attention.
“Well, you’re a very smart little girl,” Tito said to her.
“I know,” she replied, delighted when their company laughed.
Susan was amazed how they all had such soft voices as each one thanked her after she passed the drinks to them. ‘Just look at their smiles,’ she thought to herself. Karen was so quiet Susan had to look at her to see if she was okay. She found her sister-in-law with a dreamy look on her face. ‘Wow, something made Karen shut up. It’s a miracle,’ she thought.
“So I guess I need to ask why you are here.”
“Well, we were in the neighborhood,” Marlon started to say.
“We are here to find the man who hit our brother,” Tito said sternly. Susan and Karen both gasped.
Stephanie piped up. “My daddy hit Michael last night ‘cause he made Aunt Susan cry.” she said, pointing her finger at them.
‘Traitor,’ Susan thought.
“It was just a misunderstanding,” Susan started. “My brother would never hurt anyone,” she continued, walking over to stand in front of him.
Jackie laughed. “We know. Michael said that…..he told us all about it….after our mother calmed down a bit.”
Breathing a sigh of relief she asked, “So you’re here because…?”
“Oh, Michael said we had quite the fan here, and he would love it if we would stop by and sign the album she just bought,” Marlon explained, looking at Karen.
“My album? You came to just sign my album!” Karen shrieked, hopping up to run and fetch it.
Susan was stunned. “That’s why you’re here?”
Jackie laughed. “Well, we have to admit we were curious as well. Michael has talked so much about you, so we used it as an excuse to come meet you.”
She blushed. “He talks about me a lot?”
“Even in his sleep.” Marlon said smiling at her.
Karen flew back into the room, handing Jackie the album with a marker.
“I’m sure Michael, as well as Randy, will sign this later.” He said as he wrote his name and passed it along. Collecting it after they signed, Karen hugged it to her.
Kenny who had been very quiet suddenly asked, “How is his cheek?”
“Swollen and bruised,” Tito said laughing. “I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to do that to him myself, but the boy is quick.”
Marlon laughed as well. “We also want to find out his secret. How does one land that hard of a blow to someone that moves like him?”
Kenny laughed, “I guess he got distracted.”
They all shared a laugh about this.
“So besides that, he is okay then? Did he see a doctor?” Karen asked.
“He’s fine,” Jackie reassured them. “But Susan, I do have a bit of bad news. Mother is so worried about him she has begged him to stay home to heal. He wanted you to know there was not going to be a walk tonight; and maybe even for a few nights.”
Susan frowned disappointed. “Yes, that will be fine. Just tell him I will be here when he’s better.” Blushing a bit, she added, “Please tell him I will miss him.”
“Well how about you give us your phone number and then he can call you,” Marlon suggested.
Jackie chuckled, “I can’t believe the boy didn’t get it already. The first thing you do is get the girl’s number.”
“He’s shy,” Tito said, defending him.
“That only applies to girls. Shy my ass,” Jackie countered, “We can’t get that boy to ever shut up.”
After talking to Susan’s family for hours, they took their leave from the house. The brothers hugged Susan and took her number for their brother, Karen got a hug as well as a kiss from them all, and the children gave out lots of hugs for the road. They even hugged Kenny, much to his dismay.
“What a sweet bunch of guys,” Susan thought.
Karen closed the door after watching them drive away and began screaming and jumping up and down. They all looked at her like she had lost her mind.
“I don’t care,” she said. “Do you know how long I had to hold that in?” She danced around the room. “I just met the Jackson 5…..Oh my god, they were here in my house….this is the best day ever!”
Susan looked at her brother, and he shrugged at her. “At least they left with their clothes on,” he chuckled.
A knock sounded at the door, and Kenny went to open it. He looked at the visitors in shock before standing back and allowing them in. Karen walked into the room from the kitchen and screamed, “Oh my Lord! The Jackson Five!”
Susan, who had been right behind Karen entering the room, stared in shock as she glanced at the men who in small ways resembled Michael. Karen had announced them as the Jackson Five, but in truth there were only three; and two of them looked pissed. “Hello,” she said as she walked toward them.
“You must be Susan,” the man said as he shook her hand. “Michael described you so well I feel I already know you.” Susan smiled at his comment and blushed. “My name is Marlon, this guy on my left is Jackie, and to the right is Tito.” Susan smiled at them and shook their hands.
“Would you please have a seat?” she asked pointing to the couch. “Something to drink perhaps?” she offered.
Marlon smiled, “That would be lovely.”
Susan turned to Karen. “Do you want to help me in the kitchen?”
“Not really,” Karen threw back.
“I will,” Kenny offered.
Susan hurried around the kitchen to prepare the iced tea for her guests. She heard her niece’s voice echo through the house.
“So I told him, and he bought one then. Aunt Susan did not even know who he was, but I did.” Coming into the living room, she found her sitting on Tito’s lap, as always demanding attention.
“Well, you’re a very smart little girl,” Tito said to her.
“I know,” she replied, delighted when their company laughed.
Susan was amazed how they all had such soft voices as each one thanked her after she passed the drinks to them. ‘Just look at their smiles,’ she thought to herself. Karen was so quiet Susan had to look at her to see if she was okay. She found her sister-in-law with a dreamy look on her face. ‘Wow, something made Karen shut up. It’s a miracle,’ she thought.
“So I guess I need to ask why you are here.”
“Well, we were in the neighborhood,” Marlon started to say.
“We are here to find the man who hit our brother,” Tito said sternly. Susan and Karen both gasped.
Stephanie piped up. “My daddy hit Michael last night ‘cause he made Aunt Susan cry.” she said, pointing her finger at them.
‘Traitor,’ Susan thought.
“It was just a misunderstanding,” Susan started. “My brother would never hurt anyone,” she continued, walking over to stand in front of him.
Jackie laughed. “We know. Michael said that…..he told us all about it….after our mother calmed down a bit.”
Breathing a sigh of relief she asked, “So you’re here because…?”
“Oh, Michael said we had quite the fan here, and he would love it if we would stop by and sign the album she just bought,” Marlon explained, looking at Karen.
“My album? You came to just sign my album!” Karen shrieked, hopping up to run and fetch it.
Susan was stunned. “That’s why you’re here?”
Jackie laughed. “Well, we have to admit we were curious as well. Michael has talked so much about you, so we used it as an excuse to come meet you.”
She blushed. “He talks about me a lot?”
“Even in his sleep.” Marlon said smiling at her.
Karen flew back into the room, handing Jackie the album with a marker.
“I’m sure Michael, as well as Randy, will sign this later.” He said as he wrote his name and passed it along. Collecting it after they signed, Karen hugged it to her.
Kenny who had been very quiet suddenly asked, “How is his cheek?”
“Swollen and bruised,” Tito said laughing. “I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to do that to him myself, but the boy is quick.”
Marlon laughed as well. “We also want to find out his secret. How does one land that hard of a blow to someone that moves like him?”
Kenny laughed, “I guess he got distracted.”
They all shared a laugh about this.
“So besides that, he is okay then? Did he see a doctor?” Karen asked.
“He’s fine,” Jackie reassured them. “But Susan, I do have a bit of bad news. Mother is so worried about him she has begged him to stay home to heal. He wanted you to know there was not going to be a walk tonight; and maybe even for a few nights.”
Susan frowned disappointed. “Yes, that will be fine. Just tell him I will be here when he’s better.” Blushing a bit, she added, “Please tell him I will miss him.”
“Well how about you give us your phone number and then he can call you,” Marlon suggested.
Jackie chuckled, “I can’t believe the boy didn’t get it already. The first thing you do is get the girl’s number.”
“He’s shy,” Tito said, defending him.
“That only applies to girls. Shy my ass,” Jackie countered, “We can’t get that boy to ever shut up.”
After talking to Susan’s family for hours, they took their leave from the house. The brothers hugged Susan and took her number for their brother, Karen got a hug as well as a kiss from them all, and the children gave out lots of hugs for the road. They even hugged Kenny, much to his dismay.
“What a sweet bunch of guys,” Susan thought.
Karen closed the door after watching them drive away and began screaming and jumping up and down. They all looked at her like she had lost her mind.
“I don’t care,” she said. “Do you know how long I had to hold that in?” She danced around the room. “I just met the Jackson 5…..Oh my god, they were here in my house….this is the best day ever!”
Susan looked at her brother, and he shrugged at her. “At least they left with their clothes on,” he chuckled.
Chapter nine:
That night, the phone rang around the time Susan would have gone to the park to meet Michael. Running to the phone, she answered it breathlessly. “Hello?”
“Is this a bad time?” That soft voice asked.
“No, I ran to the phone because I knew it had to be you,” she said, smiling at Karen beside her. She nodded, affirming that it was Michael, and Karen smiled, mouthing, “Tell him I said, hi.”
Susan nodded to her again before motioning her away. “Karen says hi”, she told him.
“Oh well, tell her hello from me. Did she enjoy meeting my brothers today?” he asked.
“I think she screamed for an hour after they left,” Susan told him laughing. “I have never seen her so quiet before in my life…..I wish you could have been here.”
“Me, too,” Michael told her. “I am afraid my mother was a little upset about what happened. Plus, until this swelling goes down I don’t want anyone to see me.”
“I could come see you, if you want,” Susan offered.
“No, it’s really dark outside, and we should just wait,” he replied.
Susan sighed. “I’m not scared, and I want to see you…..please?”
Laughing, he said, “Hold on.” She could hear him talking to a few people but could not make out what they were saying.
“Are you really sure you want to do this?” he asked her.
“Of course. Why, is it not okay?” she asked.
“Just a second,” he said to her.
“Please, it would mean so much to me…..no one will get mad….I’ll beg you on my hands and knees…..see I knew that would work.” She heard parts of the conversation on his end.
“Okay, but don’t walk. Someone is coming to get you, so tell your brother where you are going, and we will make sure you get home safely. We can watch a movie if that is okay with you,” he added.
“Oh yes, it’s perfect, and I can’t wait to see you,” she said into the phone. “Hurry, I’ll get ready,” she added before she hung up.
Telling her family where she was going brought another scream from Karen as well as the comment that she was the luckiest girl on the entire planet.
Running to the bathroom, Susan fixed her hair and touched up her make-up. She was done right as the knock came from the front door. Coming into the living room, she saw Michael’s mother smiling and talking to her family. Glancing over at her she smiled, “You must be Susan. Michael has told me so much about you.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Karen said as she walked across the floor to shake her hand.
“In this family, we don’t shake hands we hug,” she answered as she pulled her into her arms. Susan was taken aback, but something about this woman made her feel so safe. Happily, she hugged her back.
“Stay out of trouble,” Kenny said as he dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Tell him hello from me.”
“I will,” she assured him as she walked out the door with Katherine.
Turning to his wife, Kenny pointed at her. “Don’t you even dare scream.”
That night, the phone rang around the time Susan would have gone to the park to meet Michael. Running to the phone, she answered it breathlessly. “Hello?”
“Is this a bad time?” That soft voice asked.
“No, I ran to the phone because I knew it had to be you,” she said, smiling at Karen beside her. She nodded, affirming that it was Michael, and Karen smiled, mouthing, “Tell him I said, hi.”
Susan nodded to her again before motioning her away. “Karen says hi”, she told him.
“Oh well, tell her hello from me. Did she enjoy meeting my brothers today?” he asked.
“I think she screamed for an hour after they left,” Susan told him laughing. “I have never seen her so quiet before in my life…..I wish you could have been here.”
“Me, too,” Michael told her. “I am afraid my mother was a little upset about what happened. Plus, until this swelling goes down I don’t want anyone to see me.”
“I could come see you, if you want,” Susan offered.
“No, it’s really dark outside, and we should just wait,” he replied.
Susan sighed. “I’m not scared, and I want to see you…..please?”
Laughing, he said, “Hold on.” She could hear him talking to a few people but could not make out what they were saying.
“Are you really sure you want to do this?” he asked her.
“Of course. Why, is it not okay?” she asked.
“Just a second,” he said to her.
“Please, it would mean so much to me…..no one will get mad….I’ll beg you on my hands and knees…..see I knew that would work.” She heard parts of the conversation on his end.
“Okay, but don’t walk. Someone is coming to get you, so tell your brother where you are going, and we will make sure you get home safely. We can watch a movie if that is okay with you,” he added.
“Oh yes, it’s perfect, and I can’t wait to see you,” she said into the phone. “Hurry, I’ll get ready,” she added before she hung up.
Telling her family where she was going brought another scream from Karen as well as the comment that she was the luckiest girl on the entire planet.
Running to the bathroom, Susan fixed her hair and touched up her make-up. She was done right as the knock came from the front door. Coming into the living room, she saw Michael’s mother smiling and talking to her family. Glancing over at her she smiled, “You must be Susan. Michael has told me so much about you.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Karen said as she walked across the floor to shake her hand.
“In this family, we don’t shake hands we hug,” she answered as she pulled her into her arms. Susan was taken aback, but something about this woman made her feel so safe. Happily, she hugged her back.
“Stay out of trouble,” Kenny said as he dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Tell him hello from me.”
“I will,” she assured him as she walked out the door with Katherine.
Turning to his wife, Kenny pointed at her. “Don’t you even dare scream.”
Chapter ten:
She understood the need for the ride as they got to the gates. Lining their wall were at least fifty girls, screaming as their car pulled up.
“Michael, Michael!” she heard them chant as Katherine rolled down her window. “Sorry girls it is just me,” she called to them and quickly rolled it back up again.
“Hi, Mrs. Jackson,” she heard some of the girls holler back.
“Is it always like this?” she asked her.
“Pretty much,” Katherine replied. “They will head home around midnight,” she chuckled.
“How does Michael get out every night?” Susan asked.
Katherine laughed. “Honestly, I have no idea, but he does.” She pulled to the front of the huge home and got out. Susan quickly followed behind her until they were inside.
Her breath caught in her throat as she glanced around. “This was amazing,” she thought to herself.
“Hi,” she heard. Spinning around she saw a little girl. “You’re Janet,” she announced to her.
Janet laughed. “Yes, I am. You know me?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t know you but I watch you on Good Times. You are such a good actress,” Susan gushed. “I really love the show.”
“So you watch her show, but you haven’t listened to one of my records”, Michael teased behind her.
Susan spun around. “You didn’t ask me that.”
Michael smiled. It’s okay; I just think it’s funny.” Taking her hand, he said, “Let’s go….say good-night, Janet.”
“Good night Janet,” her little voice called back.
Susan laughed, “She’s so funny….Bye,” she called over her shoulder.
“Yeah she is a riot,” Michael grumbled as he pulled her upstairs.
“Door stays open, Michael, his mother called after them.
Michael's room was not what she expected. While the rest of the house was perfect, his room was an absolute mess. “Oh my,” she said as she looked around.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t have time to clean up.”
“Someone doesn’t do it for you?” she asked.
“They would, but I don’t want them messing up my things,” he shrugged.
Susan giggled, “How do you find anything?”
Michael grinned at her. “Luck.”
As they sat on the bed, Susan looked at his cheek. It was not as swollen as before, but the bruise had turned his eye black as well. She understood why he hesitated to be seen in public like that. “Does it still hurt?” she asked, touching his face gently.
“Not when you’re here,” he said as her covered her hand with his, pulling it down to kiss the back of it.
Michael had picked Star Wars as his choice of movie. Susan had already seen it, but pretended not to since it was Michael’s first viewing. Lying beside him on the bed, he held her hand through the entire movie. Right after the ending, Michael turned to her and asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Susan looked at him and smiled, “What? Are we not grown up already?”
“No, what I mean is career wise. What do you think you will be?” he explained.
“You first,” Susan said.
“Well, I’m a singer, that’s all I have ever have known, and I love doing it. But, what I want to happen is…” he looked away.
“Go on, what would you like to do?” she inquired.
“I want to make a record so great, with music is so groovy, that the whole world dances. It would not matter what color you are, the music would unite all of us… and I would be known all over the world,” he said smiling at her.
“So, you want to be more famous?” she asked, surprised by his answer.
“No, it’s not about me. It’s about the whole world…..I want everyone to come together…no wars….no famine….just peace.” he finished.
Susan felt a bit choked up. “That sounds like a beautiful plan.”
“Now you, what does Susan want to do?” he asked as he turned to her.
“Nothing as grand as your dreams,” she whispered, feeling guilty.
Michael looked into her eyes. “If you want to do it, then do it, no matter what it is. I won’t think it’s stupid…You like to draw, so does it have something to do with that?” he asked, searching her eyes. Susan nodded.
“Then tell me.”
“I want to paint pictures, maybe even work in design. God, this is stupid. It sounds like all I’m worried about is myself,” she finished.
“No way, that’s a beautiful thing. I love art in any form. You know a song is art….making the words mean something and touch someone, that’s art…..And museums are full of pictures people painted so long ago. I think sometimes that the artists never thought their work would be looked at in awe when they painted them. Even designing a costume is art, Susan. You have to do whatever your heart tells you,” he said smiling at her.
“You don’t think it’s dumb?” she asked.
“I would not consider anything you could do dumb,” he replied back at her. “Now it’s time to take you home.”
“Oh it’s so late, I don’t want to wake your mother,” she said to him.
Michael smiled. “We won’t because I’ll drive you home.”
Susan was under the impression Michael was a good driver, but she found out quickly she was mistaken. On the short drive home, he had taken out their mailbox, a curb, and her neighbor’s trash can. “Now I see why you walk,” she said as she held on tightly.
Chapter eleven:
Susan was thrilled to start college; she enjoyed her classes even though going also took away from her time with Michael. Unable to handle it all, Michael moved their walks to week-ends when he was in town. He and his brothers did a lot of TV appearances and special concerts. It seemed Susan and Michael were drifting away from each other at times, but he made sure to call her as often as he could. They were never seen together in public as Michael did not want to expose her to the same harassment he was used to. To her it sometimes seemed that he was embarrassed to be seen with her, although she never told him about those feelings.
“Hey you, Michael’s on the phone,” her brother said as she came out of the bathroom, having just taken a shower. “Okay man, here she is,” he said into the phone and handed it to her.
“Hi, Michael,” she said as she grabbed the phone. “How are you?”
“I’m great we just got home and I have the best news,” he said with excitement.
“Really? What is it?” she asked.
“I’m going to be in a movie,” he giggled.
“No way!” she said as she fell into the chair.
She understood the need for the ride as they got to the gates. Lining their wall were at least fifty girls, screaming as their car pulled up.
“Michael, Michael!” she heard them chant as Katherine rolled down her window. “Sorry girls it is just me,” she called to them and quickly rolled it back up again.
“Hi, Mrs. Jackson,” she heard some of the girls holler back.
“Is it always like this?” she asked her.
“Pretty much,” Katherine replied. “They will head home around midnight,” she chuckled.
“How does Michael get out every night?” Susan asked.
Katherine laughed. “Honestly, I have no idea, but he does.” She pulled to the front of the huge home and got out. Susan quickly followed behind her until they were inside.
Her breath caught in her throat as she glanced around. “This was amazing,” she thought to herself.
“Hi,” she heard. Spinning around she saw a little girl. “You’re Janet,” she announced to her.
Janet laughed. “Yes, I am. You know me?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t know you but I watch you on Good Times. You are such a good actress,” Susan gushed. “I really love the show.”
“So you watch her show, but you haven’t listened to one of my records”, Michael teased behind her.
Susan spun around. “You didn’t ask me that.”
Michael smiled. It’s okay; I just think it’s funny.” Taking her hand, he said, “Let’s go….say good-night, Janet.”
“Good night Janet,” her little voice called back.
Susan laughed, “She’s so funny….Bye,” she called over her shoulder.
“Yeah she is a riot,” Michael grumbled as he pulled her upstairs.
“Door stays open, Michael, his mother called after them.
Michael's room was not what she expected. While the rest of the house was perfect, his room was an absolute mess. “Oh my,” she said as she looked around.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t have time to clean up.”
“Someone doesn’t do it for you?” she asked.
“They would, but I don’t want them messing up my things,” he shrugged.
Susan giggled, “How do you find anything?”
Michael grinned at her. “Luck.”
As they sat on the bed, Susan looked at his cheek. It was not as swollen as before, but the bruise had turned his eye black as well. She understood why he hesitated to be seen in public like that. “Does it still hurt?” she asked, touching his face gently.
“Not when you’re here,” he said as her covered her hand with his, pulling it down to kiss the back of it.
Michael had picked Star Wars as his choice of movie. Susan had already seen it, but pretended not to since it was Michael’s first viewing. Lying beside him on the bed, he held her hand through the entire movie. Right after the ending, Michael turned to her and asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Susan looked at him and smiled, “What? Are we not grown up already?”
“No, what I mean is career wise. What do you think you will be?” he explained.
“You first,” Susan said.
“Well, I’m a singer, that’s all I have ever have known, and I love doing it. But, what I want to happen is…” he looked away.
“Go on, what would you like to do?” she inquired.
“I want to make a record so great, with music is so groovy, that the whole world dances. It would not matter what color you are, the music would unite all of us… and I would be known all over the world,” he said smiling at her.
“So, you want to be more famous?” she asked, surprised by his answer.
“No, it’s not about me. It’s about the whole world…..I want everyone to come together…no wars….no famine….just peace.” he finished.
Susan felt a bit choked up. “That sounds like a beautiful plan.”
“Now you, what does Susan want to do?” he asked as he turned to her.
“Nothing as grand as your dreams,” she whispered, feeling guilty.
Michael looked into her eyes. “If you want to do it, then do it, no matter what it is. I won’t think it’s stupid…You like to draw, so does it have something to do with that?” he asked, searching her eyes. Susan nodded.
“Then tell me.”
“I want to paint pictures, maybe even work in design. God, this is stupid. It sounds like all I’m worried about is myself,” she finished.
“No way, that’s a beautiful thing. I love art in any form. You know a song is art….making the words mean something and touch someone, that’s art…..And museums are full of pictures people painted so long ago. I think sometimes that the artists never thought their work would be looked at in awe when they painted them. Even designing a costume is art, Susan. You have to do whatever your heart tells you,” he said smiling at her.
“You don’t think it’s dumb?” she asked.
“I would not consider anything you could do dumb,” he replied back at her. “Now it’s time to take you home.”
“Oh it’s so late, I don’t want to wake your mother,” she said to him.
Michael smiled. “We won’t because I’ll drive you home.”
Susan was under the impression Michael was a good driver, but she found out quickly she was mistaken. On the short drive home, he had taken out their mailbox, a curb, and her neighbor’s trash can. “Now I see why you walk,” she said as she held on tightly.
Chapter eleven:
Susan was thrilled to start college; she enjoyed her classes even though going also took away from her time with Michael. Unable to handle it all, Michael moved their walks to week-ends when he was in town. He and his brothers did a lot of TV appearances and special concerts. It seemed Susan and Michael were drifting away from each other at times, but he made sure to call her as often as he could. They were never seen together in public as Michael did not want to expose her to the same harassment he was used to. To her it sometimes seemed that he was embarrassed to be seen with her, although she never told him about those feelings.
“Hey you, Michael’s on the phone,” her brother said as she came out of the bathroom, having just taken a shower. “Okay man, here she is,” he said into the phone and handed it to her.
“Hi, Michael,” she said as she grabbed the phone. “How are you?”
“I’m great we just got home and I have the best news,” he said with excitement.
“Really? What is it?” she asked.
“I’m going to be in a movie,” he giggled.
“No way!” she said as she fell into the chair.
He rambled on excitedly telling her about the movie called The Wiz. Susan’s heart sank when he told her it would be filmed in New York. “New York,” she interrupted. “So you are moving there?”
“Only for a little bit, and I already figured it out: I’ll fly you out on weekends,” he said.
“Oh, okay,” she replied.
“We need to go out and celebrate. Let’s go dancing; I know a great club.” he said.
“What about your fans? Won’t they find you there?” she asked.
“It’s kind of private, and all the stars go there. So I’ll come to get you in an hour,” he said deciding for them.
“Okay,” she agreed and hung up to get ready.
The music in the club was loud she could hear it before they entered. Feeling underdressed compared to the other women in the club, her shyness was at an all time high. Michael introduced her to his friends and danced her around the room, trying to teach her a few new steps now and then. Being with him, holding him close, nothing seemed to matter anymore. They were here, and it was the best night ever.
“Michael, I have to go powder my nose,” she said as he stopped to talk to a few friends.
Kissing her nose he said, “Okay I’ll wait right here.”
She hurried across the club to the bathroom and took as few extra moments to calm herself as her heart was still racing from all the dancing.
“You’re Susan, right?” a voice said behind her.
“Yes,” she answered, turning around to stare at the young girl. Michael had introduced them earlier that evening. “Tatum, right?”
Smiling back at her the girl said, “That’s right. I was watching you two dancing together. It’s kind of hard to keep up with him, isn’t it?” she said, smiling sweetly.
“Yeah, he has some pretty good moves,” Susan smiled back.
“You know, there was a time we dated. Did you know that?” Tatum said as she fixed her lipstick.
“Only for a little bit, and I already figured it out: I’ll fly you out on weekends,” he said.
“Oh, okay,” she replied.
“We need to go out and celebrate. Let’s go dancing; I know a great club.” he said.
“What about your fans? Won’t they find you there?” she asked.
“It’s kind of private, and all the stars go there. So I’ll come to get you in an hour,” he said deciding for them.
“Okay,” she agreed and hung up to get ready.
The music in the club was loud she could hear it before they entered. Feeling underdressed compared to the other women in the club, her shyness was at an all time high. Michael introduced her to his friends and danced her around the room, trying to teach her a few new steps now and then. Being with him, holding him close, nothing seemed to matter anymore. They were here, and it was the best night ever.
“Michael, I have to go powder my nose,” she said as he stopped to talk to a few friends.
Kissing her nose he said, “Okay I’ll wait right here.”
She hurried across the club to the bathroom and took as few extra moments to calm herself as her heart was still racing from all the dancing.
“You’re Susan, right?” a voice said behind her.
“Yes,” she answered, turning around to stare at the young girl. Michael had introduced them earlier that evening. “Tatum, right?”
Smiling back at her the girl said, “That’s right. I was watching you two dancing together. It’s kind of hard to keep up with him, isn’t it?” she said, smiling sweetly.
“Yeah, he has some pretty good moves,” Susan smiled back.
“You know, there was a time we dated. Did you know that?” Tatum said as she fixed her lipstick.
“No, I didn’t know that,” Susan answered.
“Yeah, we were very close, if you know what I mean. He swore we would get married someday and I almost believed him, but he was like all men: they get what they want from you and then it’s good-bye,” she said.
“Michael’s not like that,” Susan said, defending him.
Tatum whirled around and sneered in her face. “Oh, he is like that. Look at you, you don’t fit in here. This is our world, and you’re trash…..he is using you and as soon as you put out he is going to dump you. What, did you think he was going to fall in love with YOU? He can have any girl he wants, think about it and do yourself a favor: get out while you can,” she said then she stomped out the door.
Susan turned to the mirror and looked at her reflection. “She’s right; I don’t belong here.” Anger ripped through her. “She’s right.” Calming herself, she went out to find him. Tatum had her arm around him, smiling into his eyes as she walked up. “See? Here she is. I told you she was right behind me,” she told him as Susan walked up.
Michael looked at her. “Are you okay?”
“Sure she’s okay. The music is probably giving her a headache, isn’t that right, Susan?” Tatum said.
“Yeah, I have a headache,” Susan answered.
“I’m sorry, let’s get you home,” Michael said as he wrapped his arm around her. “’Night, everyone.”
“Bye-bye, now,” Tatum said to her. Smiling at Michael, she said, “You must come by and see us, and I will not take no for an answer.”
“Yes, I will,” he promised as they headed out into the night air and got into the car.
On the ride home, Susan was fuming and stared out the window. “We can stop somewhere and get some aspirin on the way,” Michael offered. “I’ll be fine; I just want to go home,” she replied. It was difficult to hold back her anger. Finally, the driver stopped in front of her house and Michael sent him on his way. “I want to walk home,” he told him as he shut the door. “Did you have a good time?” he asked Susan.
Susan whirled around at him. “Did I have a good time? No, it was horrible! Is that how you get the girls to put out?” she sneered.
“I don’t understand,” he said to her, confused by her outburst.
“Well, I do, Michael …tonight I finally got it. I’m glad you are leaving, and I never want you to call me again. It’s over,” she announced.
Michael looked at her in shock. “What did I do wrong?”
“It’s not you, it’s me. I realized tonight I can never fit into your world. I don’t belong there….I was fooling myself hoping I could,” she cried out.
Michael tried to grab her, but she moved away quickly. “I think you fit in well,” he whispered.
“So what happens, Michael? Do we get married…have children? Wouldn’t that be lovely, we can just all sit around waiting till daddy is not busy uniting the world, and decides to come home,” she sneered.
“I would always take you with me,” he said softly.
“Great, we can live in hotels….And what happens when you get tired of us and find another girl. I won’t have a family like that…I want what my brother has…I want a normal life…and you,” she said softly, “can never give me that.”
“I would do my best to make you happy, Susan,” he whispered back.
“That’s just it….I don’t want you to have to try…..You deserve better than me….and I will not hold you back. Be free Michael; I wish you nothing but happiness, and I hope you find it,” she said.
Michael stared up at her, and tears fell from his eyes. Susan wanted to throw herself into his arms and beg him to forget everything she just said.
‘You’re trash,’ she heard in her head.
“You will always be my Michael and my heart will always belong to you. Please don’t make this any harder than it is. Please try to understand.”
Michael turned and quickly walked away. Susan watched him until he was out of her sight and her life forever. Falling to the ground, she cried until she had no more tears left.
Chapter twelve:
Two years later:
“She’s out of my life, she’s out of my life, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, I don’t know whether to live or die and it cuts like a knife, she’s out of my life.”
“It’s out of my hands, it’s out of my hands, to think for two years she was here, and I took her granted I was so cavalier, now the way that it stands, she’s out of my hands.”
“So I’ve learned that love’s not possession, and I’ve learned love won’t wait; now I’ve learned that love needs expression, but I learned too late.”
“She’s out of my life, she’s out of my life, damned indecision and cursed pride, kept my love for her locked deep inside, and it cuts like a knife, she’s out of my life.”
Michael’s voice hummed through the car, and Susan could not reach down to turn it off. Tears burned in her eyes. Two years and the pain still filled her soul. She wiped at her eyes, hoping Karen missed it.
“Why don’t you just go say hi?” Karen asked.
“No, I can’t do that to him,” she replied.
Karen scoffed at her. “Do you want to tell me that song isn’t about you?”
“He didn’t write it, I checked….it is just a song,” she replied.
“Umm….yeah he may not have written it, but I am sure he picked it out. This is his first major album, and Michael made all the calls,” Karen threw back.
“You read that somewhere. He is a singer; he does what they tell him to,” Susan said in a determined tone.
“You’re wrong. Why are you so stubborn? I don’t care what you say, it’s clear it is for you,” Karen shot back.
“Just drop it,” Susan begged her. “Please not today.”
Reaching her brother’s home, she stopped in the driveway, and waved to Kenny who was working on the car outside. “Send them all my love. I’ll be over on Sunday for dinner,” Susan said as Karen got out.
“I love you. Drive safely,” Karen replied as she shut the door.
Susan quickly drove away, taking the long way around so she would not have to see the park. The sight of it still brought her to tears. She had moved into her own apartment last year. Just as she asked him to, Michael had moved on with his life. She saw him on magazines smiling with other girls, and he looked happy. Walking into her apartment, she felt her cat circle her leg. “Hi, Jack,” she said as she greeted him back. “Hi, Michael,” she said as she walked into her room that was filled with pictures she had drawn of him hanging around the room. She laughed as she thought of Karen. They used to call her a crazed fan, but if anyone ever saw her place they would call her the same thing.
“When will I ever get over you?” she whispered to herself.
Chapter thirteen:
“Susan, these are simply wonderful. You’ve got a flare for this,” Linda, her new employer told her. “By the time you finish college you’re going to be an established designer. I can see it now: everyone will be wearing your clothes.”
Susan smiled, “Thanks, that’s very kind of you,” she answered meekly. Silently, she was thrilled Linda loved her designs, and if Linda said you were good, you could take it to the bank.
“You know, I might throw some new clients at you and see what you can come up with. Would you be interested in that?” Linda asked.
Thrilled, she answered back, “Oh my God, I would be delighted.”
“Okay then, let’s see,” Linda said as she pulled out her appointment book. “I have a gown to make for an Oscar contender, some set costumes for a movie, and a wardrobe for an entertainer’s concerts.” She nodded, “Yes, let’s see how you can handle yourself with them. Remember, they are always right. See you around three; I’ll call you up,” Linda said as she bounced away.
The day dragged by as Susan waited impatiently for the phone to ring. Ten minutes before three she was racing upstairs to the conference room. Running so she would not be late, she burst into the room, making a noisy entrance. To her surprise, she found herself looking into the eyes of her obsession.
“Susan,” Linda said as she walked over to her, “I would like to introduce you to Michael Jackson. Michael, this is Susan Scott. I just know you will grow to love her.”
Michael extended his hand to shake hers. Numbly, she took it, “It is a pleasure Mr. Jackson, I’m a big fan of your music.”
He raised his eyebrow at her confession. “Thank you,” he said as he let go and sat down.
Susan took her place across the table, busying herself with a notebook she used for her drawins and notes. Sitting next to Michael were a balding man and a pretty blonde lady. The woman was dressed in an expensive suit and smiled in her direction. Susan tried to smile back, but she truly didn’t want to.
“So, Mrs. Scott, Linda tells us you are going to college while working for her. That must be a full schedule,” the bald man asked her.
Susan smiled at him. “It’s ‘Miss,’ and I would like it if you just called me Susan. We’re not formal here. And it is a challenge, but I am doing well with it. Luckily, they have night classes, so I can get this incredible experience here with Linda as well.”
“Oh, I am sorry; I just saw the ring and assumed,” he said smiling back.
Susan glanced down at her hand. She had started wearing the ring to keep men from asking her out, which now seemed like a stupid thing to do. “It’s kind of a protection from unwanted advances,” she added, hoping he wouldn’t laugh at her.
“Well, now I guess I found out your secret….I promise not to tell,” he said, flirting with her.
Michael snapped, “Can we just get on with this, Tommy?”
As Michael’s new manager, he had never heard him seem so angry. ‘He must be tired,’ he thought. “Sure thing, Mike,” glancing at Linda, he said “Please continue. I’m sorry to hold things up.”
“Yeah, we were very close, if you know what I mean. He swore we would get married someday and I almost believed him, but he was like all men: they get what they want from you and then it’s good-bye,” she said.
“Michael’s not like that,” Susan said, defending him.
Tatum whirled around and sneered in her face. “Oh, he is like that. Look at you, you don’t fit in here. This is our world, and you’re trash…..he is using you and as soon as you put out he is going to dump you. What, did you think he was going to fall in love with YOU? He can have any girl he wants, think about it and do yourself a favor: get out while you can,” she said then she stomped out the door.
Susan turned to the mirror and looked at her reflection. “She’s right; I don’t belong here.” Anger ripped through her. “She’s right.” Calming herself, she went out to find him. Tatum had her arm around him, smiling into his eyes as she walked up. “See? Here she is. I told you she was right behind me,” she told him as Susan walked up.
Michael looked at her. “Are you okay?”
“Sure she’s okay. The music is probably giving her a headache, isn’t that right, Susan?” Tatum said.
“Yeah, I have a headache,” Susan answered.
“I’m sorry, let’s get you home,” Michael said as he wrapped his arm around her. “’Night, everyone.”
“Bye-bye, now,” Tatum said to her. Smiling at Michael, she said, “You must come by and see us, and I will not take no for an answer.”
“Yes, I will,” he promised as they headed out into the night air and got into the car.
On the ride home, Susan was fuming and stared out the window. “We can stop somewhere and get some aspirin on the way,” Michael offered. “I’ll be fine; I just want to go home,” she replied. It was difficult to hold back her anger. Finally, the driver stopped in front of her house and Michael sent him on his way. “I want to walk home,” he told him as he shut the door. “Did you have a good time?” he asked Susan.
Susan whirled around at him. “Did I have a good time? No, it was horrible! Is that how you get the girls to put out?” she sneered.
“I don’t understand,” he said to her, confused by her outburst.
“Well, I do, Michael …tonight I finally got it. I’m glad you are leaving, and I never want you to call me again. It’s over,” she announced.
Michael looked at her in shock. “What did I do wrong?”
“It’s not you, it’s me. I realized tonight I can never fit into your world. I don’t belong there….I was fooling myself hoping I could,” she cried out.
Michael tried to grab her, but she moved away quickly. “I think you fit in well,” he whispered.
“So what happens, Michael? Do we get married…have children? Wouldn’t that be lovely, we can just all sit around waiting till daddy is not busy uniting the world, and decides to come home,” she sneered.
“I would always take you with me,” he said softly.
“Great, we can live in hotels….And what happens when you get tired of us and find another girl. I won’t have a family like that…I want what my brother has…I want a normal life…and you,” she said softly, “can never give me that.”
“I would do my best to make you happy, Susan,” he whispered back.
“That’s just it….I don’t want you to have to try…..You deserve better than me….and I will not hold you back. Be free Michael; I wish you nothing but happiness, and I hope you find it,” she said.
Michael stared up at her, and tears fell from his eyes. Susan wanted to throw herself into his arms and beg him to forget everything she just said.
‘You’re trash,’ she heard in her head.
“You will always be my Michael and my heart will always belong to you. Please don’t make this any harder than it is. Please try to understand.”
Michael turned and quickly walked away. Susan watched him until he was out of her sight and her life forever. Falling to the ground, she cried until she had no more tears left.
Chapter twelve:
Two years later:
“She’s out of my life, she’s out of my life, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, I don’t know whether to live or die and it cuts like a knife, she’s out of my life.”
“It’s out of my hands, it’s out of my hands, to think for two years she was here, and I took her granted I was so cavalier, now the way that it stands, she’s out of my hands.”
“So I’ve learned that love’s not possession, and I’ve learned love won’t wait; now I’ve learned that love needs expression, but I learned too late.”
“She’s out of my life, she’s out of my life, damned indecision and cursed pride, kept my love for her locked deep inside, and it cuts like a knife, she’s out of my life.”
Michael’s voice hummed through the car, and Susan could not reach down to turn it off. Tears burned in her eyes. Two years and the pain still filled her soul. She wiped at her eyes, hoping Karen missed it.
“Why don’t you just go say hi?” Karen asked.
“No, I can’t do that to him,” she replied.
Karen scoffed at her. “Do you want to tell me that song isn’t about you?”
“He didn’t write it, I checked….it is just a song,” she replied.
“Umm….yeah he may not have written it, but I am sure he picked it out. This is his first major album, and Michael made all the calls,” Karen threw back.
“You read that somewhere. He is a singer; he does what they tell him to,” Susan said in a determined tone.
“You’re wrong. Why are you so stubborn? I don’t care what you say, it’s clear it is for you,” Karen shot back.
“Just drop it,” Susan begged her. “Please not today.”
Reaching her brother’s home, she stopped in the driveway, and waved to Kenny who was working on the car outside. “Send them all my love. I’ll be over on Sunday for dinner,” Susan said as Karen got out.
“I love you. Drive safely,” Karen replied as she shut the door.
Susan quickly drove away, taking the long way around so she would not have to see the park. The sight of it still brought her to tears. She had moved into her own apartment last year. Just as she asked him to, Michael had moved on with his life. She saw him on magazines smiling with other girls, and he looked happy. Walking into her apartment, she felt her cat circle her leg. “Hi, Jack,” she said as she greeted him back. “Hi, Michael,” she said as she walked into her room that was filled with pictures she had drawn of him hanging around the room. She laughed as she thought of Karen. They used to call her a crazed fan, but if anyone ever saw her place they would call her the same thing.
“When will I ever get over you?” she whispered to herself.
Chapter thirteen:
“Susan, these are simply wonderful. You’ve got a flare for this,” Linda, her new employer told her. “By the time you finish college you’re going to be an established designer. I can see it now: everyone will be wearing your clothes.”
Susan smiled, “Thanks, that’s very kind of you,” she answered meekly. Silently, she was thrilled Linda loved her designs, and if Linda said you were good, you could take it to the bank.
“You know, I might throw some new clients at you and see what you can come up with. Would you be interested in that?” Linda asked.
Thrilled, she answered back, “Oh my God, I would be delighted.”
“Okay then, let’s see,” Linda said as she pulled out her appointment book. “I have a gown to make for an Oscar contender, some set costumes for a movie, and a wardrobe for an entertainer’s concerts.” She nodded, “Yes, let’s see how you can handle yourself with them. Remember, they are always right. See you around three; I’ll call you up,” Linda said as she bounced away.
The day dragged by as Susan waited impatiently for the phone to ring. Ten minutes before three she was racing upstairs to the conference room. Running so she would not be late, she burst into the room, making a noisy entrance. To her surprise, she found herself looking into the eyes of her obsession.
“Susan,” Linda said as she walked over to her, “I would like to introduce you to Michael Jackson. Michael, this is Susan Scott. I just know you will grow to love her.”
Michael extended his hand to shake hers. Numbly, she took it, “It is a pleasure Mr. Jackson, I’m a big fan of your music.”
He raised his eyebrow at her confession. “Thank you,” he said as he let go and sat down.
Susan took her place across the table, busying herself with a notebook she used for her drawins and notes. Sitting next to Michael were a balding man and a pretty blonde lady. The woman was dressed in an expensive suit and smiled in her direction. Susan tried to smile back, but she truly didn’t want to.
“So, Mrs. Scott, Linda tells us you are going to college while working for her. That must be a full schedule,” the bald man asked her.
Susan smiled at him. “It’s ‘Miss,’ and I would like it if you just called me Susan. We’re not formal here. And it is a challenge, but I am doing well with it. Luckily, they have night classes, so I can get this incredible experience here with Linda as well.”
“Oh, I am sorry; I just saw the ring and assumed,” he said smiling back.
Susan glanced down at her hand. She had started wearing the ring to keep men from asking her out, which now seemed like a stupid thing to do. “It’s kind of a protection from unwanted advances,” she added, hoping he wouldn’t laugh at her.
“Well, now I guess I found out your secret….I promise not to tell,” he said, flirting with her.
Michael snapped, “Can we just get on with this, Tommy?”
As Michael’s new manager, he had never heard him seem so angry. ‘He must be tired,’ he thought. “Sure thing, Mike,” glancing at Linda, he said “Please continue. I’m sorry to hold things up.”
Linda began asking Michael questions about his ideas, and Susan began to draw them out. Linda would look a few over and add suggestions. Susan was happy to have something to occupy her time, although her hands shook as she drew. Passing them off to Michael, his hand at times brushed hers, making it very difficult to remain calm considering the electric shock that always seemed to come from his touch.
“I like this,” he would murmur. “This is too much…….This is missing something.”
Susan found his assessment of her work infuriating. ‘Missing what, exactly?’ her mind screamed out. Obviously, he was not going to make this easy at all. After deciding on five new looks, Linda turned to her. “I guess all we need now are his measurements.”
Susan groaned, ‘Oh my God, no,’ her mind raced.
“Michael, if you could just stand over here and remove your jacket,” Linda instructed. She turned to Susan. “Ready?”
Walking over to Michael with the tape measure, she felt like she was sentenced to death. “Can you hold you arms straight out?” she asked him.
Michael smiled at her and did as he asked. As her hands roamed over him taking the measurements, he enjoyed the feel of her soft touch. When she stood in front of him to take the chest and waist measurements, he caught a whiff of her hair. ‘She is so close,’ he groaned inwardly. All he wanted to do was grab her and pull her into his arms, but instead he averted his eyes. ‘Think of something else,’ he said to himself.
Susan knelt down in front of him to do the measurements for his pants She ran the tape measure down the outside of his long legs, and had to almost choke the number out to Linda who stood beside him writing down the measurements. Anxious about the next task, she tried to remain professional. Lifting her hand to the top inside of his groin and pulling it down the inside of his leg, she felt his manhood growing at the touch of her fingers. A shocked sound escaped her lips, and she quickly jumped up calling out the measurement.
Michael looked at her, obviously embarrassed as he began to blush. “Are you alright?” Linda asked.
“I jammed my thumb on the floor, no big deal,” she said as she hurried away. “Well, I think I have all I need. Linda, if you want me to get ready for our next appointment, I’ll go get set up,” she offered.
“Good idea,” Linda said, excusing her.
“It was a pleasure to meet you all,” she said to the room. Looking into Michael’s eyes she added, “Your last album was great; you did a fantastic job. I hope you will be happy with our work,” she said, extending her hand to him.
Michael took her hand in his and stared back into her eyes. “Thank you….I know they will be great…..the drawings were wonderful.”
Susan quickly took her hands from his and took her leave, running down the hall to the next room. She threw herself in and leaned on the door. “Now is not the time for this,” she reminded herself.
Chapter fourteen:
“It’s all part of the job,” Linda told her when she objected. “We stand by our work, so someone has to be there in case there is a problem. I won’t take no for an answer, especially since it’s his opening night.”
Susan groaned. Working on the outfits had been hard enough, but so far she had not had to deal with him in person again. Now Linda was telling her it was her duty to be there in case something did not fit right. “I just don’t think I’m ready for this,” she tried to explain.
“Susan, I trust you, and it would mean a lot to me, especially since I feel bad enough about forgetting it. He is an important client, and when people see him they will want to know who designed the wardrobe. Think of the PR if nothing else….this could put us over the top….I cannot be in two places at once,” Linda pleaded.
“You’re right; I’ll do it,” she gave in.
Making sure to dress in her best design, she entered the building, showing the guard her pass. Another guard led her backstage, pausing at the door to knock lightly on it. “Come in,” a small voice called. Walking into the room, she came face to face with the person she hated with all her heart.
“Miss Scott, it’s an honor,” Tatum cooed. “I just love your work.”
Susan felt like slapping the woman, but instead she inhaled deeply and extended her hand. “Miss O’Neil, it is a pleasure to meet you,” she said as Tatum smiled and shook it.
“Oh, I love your dress,” Tatum said, taking it in.
“Thank you,” Susan answered back sweetly.
Susan was dressed in a short dress that closed in the front, draping her body in a cloud of light lavender color. Her hair was pulled loosely behind her head and she wore large golden hoop earrings and heels that increased her height by another four inches. At first she was surprised Tatum did not recognize her. ‘Then again, the girl only cared about herself, so why would she remember someone whose happiness she had ruined?’ she thought.
“Is Mr. Jackson here yet?” Susan asked Tatum.
“Yes, he is putting on the first costume. They are simply amazing! I must have you design a few outfits for me. Do you have a card?” she inquired.
Pulling out the business cards, Susan handed one to her. “You tell them I sent you….that way you’ll be certain to get special treatment,” Susan purred.
Michael came into the room and shock registered on his face. “Miss Scott, it’s an honor…I thought Linda would be here,” he said as he shook her hand.
“I am sorry. Linda had two engagements tonight, so I am filling in for her. She insisted I come since, having worked on it, I am more familiar with your wardrobe,” she answered. “I hope that will not be a problem…I apologize for not making sure someone informed you….I can get someone else here if you prefer.”
“No, it’s not a problem. I hope you will enjoy the show,” he said as she approached him.
“I am sure I will,” she said as she checked to make sure the costume had no rips. “Michael, you might want to zip up that zipper,” she said and blushed as he turned to quickly do so.
“I’ll see you later,” Tatum said as he turned back around. “Miss Scott, I will be in touch,” she said as she went out the door.
“I like this,” he would murmur. “This is too much…….This is missing something.”
Susan found his assessment of her work infuriating. ‘Missing what, exactly?’ her mind screamed out. Obviously, he was not going to make this easy at all. After deciding on five new looks, Linda turned to her. “I guess all we need now are his measurements.”
Susan groaned, ‘Oh my God, no,’ her mind raced.
“Michael, if you could just stand over here and remove your jacket,” Linda instructed. She turned to Susan. “Ready?”
Walking over to Michael with the tape measure, she felt like she was sentenced to death. “Can you hold you arms straight out?” she asked him.
Michael smiled at her and did as he asked. As her hands roamed over him taking the measurements, he enjoyed the feel of her soft touch. When she stood in front of him to take the chest and waist measurements, he caught a whiff of her hair. ‘She is so close,’ he groaned inwardly. All he wanted to do was grab her and pull her into his arms, but instead he averted his eyes. ‘Think of something else,’ he said to himself.
Susan knelt down in front of him to do the measurements for his pants She ran the tape measure down the outside of his long legs, and had to almost choke the number out to Linda who stood beside him writing down the measurements. Anxious about the next task, she tried to remain professional. Lifting her hand to the top inside of his groin and pulling it down the inside of his leg, she felt his manhood growing at the touch of her fingers. A shocked sound escaped her lips, and she quickly jumped up calling out the measurement.
Michael looked at her, obviously embarrassed as he began to blush. “Are you alright?” Linda asked.
“I jammed my thumb on the floor, no big deal,” she said as she hurried away. “Well, I think I have all I need. Linda, if you want me to get ready for our next appointment, I’ll go get set up,” she offered.
“Good idea,” Linda said, excusing her.
“It was a pleasure to meet you all,” she said to the room. Looking into Michael’s eyes she added, “Your last album was great; you did a fantastic job. I hope you will be happy with our work,” she said, extending her hand to him.
Michael took her hand in his and stared back into her eyes. “Thank you….I know they will be great…..the drawings were wonderful.”
Susan quickly took her hands from his and took her leave, running down the hall to the next room. She threw herself in and leaned on the door. “Now is not the time for this,” she reminded herself.
Chapter fourteen:
“It’s all part of the job,” Linda told her when she objected. “We stand by our work, so someone has to be there in case there is a problem. I won’t take no for an answer, especially since it’s his opening night.”
Susan groaned. Working on the outfits had been hard enough, but so far she had not had to deal with him in person again. Now Linda was telling her it was her duty to be there in case something did not fit right. “I just don’t think I’m ready for this,” she tried to explain.
“Susan, I trust you, and it would mean a lot to me, especially since I feel bad enough about forgetting it. He is an important client, and when people see him they will want to know who designed the wardrobe. Think of the PR if nothing else….this could put us over the top….I cannot be in two places at once,” Linda pleaded.
“You’re right; I’ll do it,” she gave in.
Making sure to dress in her best design, she entered the building, showing the guard her pass. Another guard led her backstage, pausing at the door to knock lightly on it. “Come in,” a small voice called. Walking into the room, she came face to face with the person she hated with all her heart.
“Miss Scott, it’s an honor,” Tatum cooed. “I just love your work.”
Susan felt like slapping the woman, but instead she inhaled deeply and extended her hand. “Miss O’Neil, it is a pleasure to meet you,” she said as Tatum smiled and shook it.
“Oh, I love your dress,” Tatum said, taking it in.
“Thank you,” Susan answered back sweetly.
Susan was dressed in a short dress that closed in the front, draping her body in a cloud of light lavender color. Her hair was pulled loosely behind her head and she wore large golden hoop earrings and heels that increased her height by another four inches. At first she was surprised Tatum did not recognize her. ‘Then again, the girl only cared about herself, so why would she remember someone whose happiness she had ruined?’ she thought.
“Is Mr. Jackson here yet?” Susan asked Tatum.
“Yes, he is putting on the first costume. They are simply amazing! I must have you design a few outfits for me. Do you have a card?” she inquired.
Pulling out the business cards, Susan handed one to her. “You tell them I sent you….that way you’ll be certain to get special treatment,” Susan purred.
Michael came into the room and shock registered on his face. “Miss Scott, it’s an honor…I thought Linda would be here,” he said as he shook her hand.
“I am sorry. Linda had two engagements tonight, so I am filling in for her. She insisted I come since, having worked on it, I am more familiar with your wardrobe,” she answered. “I hope that will not be a problem…I apologize for not making sure someone informed you….I can get someone else here if you prefer.”
“No, it’s not a problem. I hope you will enjoy the show,” he said as she approached him.
“I am sure I will,” she said as she checked to make sure the costume had no rips. “Michael, you might want to zip up that zipper,” she said and blushed as he turned to quickly do so.
“I’ll see you later,” Tatum said as he turned back around. “Miss Scott, I will be in touch,” she said as she went out the door.
“Can I see the other costumes? I want to make sure they arrived undamaged as well,” Susan asked breaking the silence in the room. Following the direction he pointed in, she found them.
He came up quietly behind her and watched her look them over. “Is this how we are going to act to each other, Susan?” he asked softly.
Hearing her name whispered softly into the air left her weak. “What should I say?” she asked him.
“You could start by explaining why we are acting like we don’t know each other,” he said as he turned her around to him. “Look at me,” he demanded.
Shrugging his arm off her, she crossed the floor to add some distance. “I am trying to remain professional here…..this is my job…..I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me to be here,” she hissed.
‘She doesn’t even want to be here,’ he thought to himself.
The door flew open as Jackie and Marlon came walking in. Marlon’s mouth flew open when he spotted her in the corner of the room. Jackie smiled at her. “Susan, oh my God, how have you been?” he said as he walked over and pulled her into his arms for a hug. “Look at you; you’re just stunning!”
Marlon hugged her next. “It’s been years; what are you doing here?” he asked.
Susan smiled at them. “I’m great……Thank you….I know almost three years…..I designed Michael’s wardrobe,” she said, answering their questions.
Marlon looked at Michael. “Why didn’t you tell us?” he asked.
“She works for Mrs. Davis, and I found out a few months ago. It didn’t seem important,” he said, looking at his brother.
Marlon saw the hurt hiding behind his brother’s eyes. “Oh, I see.” He turned to Susan again. “You work for Linda…Wow how exciting…I heard she is getting ready for a showing in Paris…it’s great she is doing so well.”
Susan thanked him again. “I really should move these to the area off stage right,” she said as she started gathering up the costumes. Jackie helped her out the door. Turning to Michael, he asked, “You okay?”
Chapter fifteen:
Susan watched in awe from backstage as he performed. He seemed to feed off the crowd. Girls were screaming and fainting, and having to be carried to another area to be taken care of. As she helped him through the costume changes, he never acknowledged her. It was hard to watch as he stripped off the pants and quickly threw on another pair. She helped to slide the jacket on his shoulders before he ran back to the stage. She was happy when he came in for the last change: it was almost over and she would finally be able to leave.
“I would like to dedicate my last song to that special lady in my life. I am nothing without you,” he said to the crowd. Susan groaned as ‘She’s Out Of My Life’ began to play. She stood there stuck to her spot, letting the words rush over her. When she heard it coming to an end, she snapped back, gathered the costumes, and ran for his dressing room to pack them away. The company would have them cleaned and returned to him, which was a courtesy they extended to all their clients.
He came up quietly behind her and watched her look them over. “Is this how we are going to act to each other, Susan?” he asked softly.
Hearing her name whispered softly into the air left her weak. “What should I say?” she asked him.
“You could start by explaining why we are acting like we don’t know each other,” he said as he turned her around to him. “Look at me,” he demanded.
Shrugging his arm off her, she crossed the floor to add some distance. “I am trying to remain professional here…..this is my job…..I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me to be here,” she hissed.
‘She doesn’t even want to be here,’ he thought to himself.
The door flew open as Jackie and Marlon came walking in. Marlon’s mouth flew open when he spotted her in the corner of the room. Jackie smiled at her. “Susan, oh my God, how have you been?” he said as he walked over and pulled her into his arms for a hug. “Look at you; you’re just stunning!”
Marlon hugged her next. “It’s been years; what are you doing here?” he asked.
Susan smiled at them. “I’m great……Thank you….I know almost three years…..I designed Michael’s wardrobe,” she said, answering their questions.
Marlon looked at Michael. “Why didn’t you tell us?” he asked.
“She works for Mrs. Davis, and I found out a few months ago. It didn’t seem important,” he said, looking at his brother.
Marlon saw the hurt hiding behind his brother’s eyes. “Oh, I see.” He turned to Susan again. “You work for Linda…Wow how exciting…I heard she is getting ready for a showing in Paris…it’s great she is doing so well.”
Susan thanked him again. “I really should move these to the area off stage right,” she said as she started gathering up the costumes. Jackie helped her out the door. Turning to Michael, he asked, “You okay?”
Chapter fifteen:
Susan watched in awe from backstage as he performed. He seemed to feed off the crowd. Girls were screaming and fainting, and having to be carried to another area to be taken care of. As she helped him through the costume changes, he never acknowledged her. It was hard to watch as he stripped off the pants and quickly threw on another pair. She helped to slide the jacket on his shoulders before he ran back to the stage. She was happy when he came in for the last change: it was almost over and she would finally be able to leave.
“I would like to dedicate my last song to that special lady in my life. I am nothing without you,” he said to the crowd. Susan groaned as ‘She’s Out Of My Life’ began to play. She stood there stuck to her spot, letting the words rush over her. When she heard it coming to an end, she snapped back, gathered the costumes, and ran for his dressing room to pack them away. The company would have them cleaned and returned to him, which was a courtesy they extended to all their clients.
Michael swept in the room and headed for the restroom, not saying one word to her. She heard a shower come on and waited for the last outfit. When he came out, his hair was still dripping, a towel was wrapped around his shoulders, he had not put a shirt on, and his legs were covered by some very tight jeans. “That was a great show,” she finally got out.
“Thanks,” he said as he handed the costume to her, which she quickly packed away. “Are you in a hurry?” he asked, watching her.
“I have a date tonight,” she lied to him. “I promised to meet him as soon as I was done.”
“Really?” he said, “I didn’t know…sorry to hold you up…by all means go…thanks for remaining so professional tonight…..I won’t put you in this position again.” He sank into the couch.
Susan felt the hurt in his words. Stopping at the door, she laid the box down. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I hope you know that. One day I hope we can be friends, because I have missed you.”
Michael stared at her back. “Why? What did I do that was so bad it made you treat me that way?” he asked her softly.
Susan felt the tears burn her eyes. “I had to do it. I didn’t want to hold you back….you deserved so much more than I could ever be,” she said.
“I never asked you to be more,” he said slowly.
“Please,” she begged. “Just tell me to go,” she cried out.
“No,” he screamed as he flew across the room towards her. Reaching her, he swung her around to face him. “I can’t do that,” he said as his lips crashed down on hers. Michael threw every emotion he had in his soul into the kiss, not really caring about hers. ‘She had no right to stand there and try to cry,’ his mind raced. His lips punished hers, demanding her to respond. Trapping her against the door, he held her tightly as he assaulted her senses.
Susan cried out as his lips claimed hers. He was angry and the kiss was not one of love. Trying to push him off, she finally got loose from his lips. “Please Michael, not like this!” she cried out.
Hearing her pleas, his head laid against her hair as he smelled the locks beneath his nose. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. Releasing her, he made his way to the chair across the room and sank into it gratefully. “Just go Susan,” he demanded softly.
Susan stared at him speechlessly, her fingers rising to her lips that were swollen from his kiss. Her mind screamed at her to leave, but her heart sank at sight of the man sitting there with his head buried in his hands. He was the first man she had ever loved and the only man who she would ever love. “Michael, I can’t,” she whispered into the quiet room. Crossing the distance to sit beside him, she lifted his head so he could look into her face. “Don’t make me go,” she said as she kissed his lips softly.
Michael sighed as she offered her lips to him. Drinking deeply from them, he moaned as he pulled her onto his lap. As their kisses deepened his hand reached up to caress her breast. She moaned deep within her throat and her fingers ran through his hair. Breaking the kiss he lifted her in his arms and laid her onto the couch.
Her arms reached to pull him back to her, missing the contact with his body. Michael smiled shyly as he lowered his body to hers, his lips brushing against hers as his hands began to roam across her body. As his mouth sought out her neck, she threw her head back to allow him access. His hand slid up her leg as he molded her body beneath his.
Susan slipped her hands between them to unfasten the buttons that held her dress in place. Michael pulled her up to slide it off her shoulders, his fingers freeing her breasts as he quickly slipped her bra off as well. Lowering her back down, his mouth sought out the peak of her breast as his mouth closed against it. Her fingers wrapped in his hair as she groaned her approval. His arousal heightened at her cries of passion, his fingers sliding into her panties to touch her womanhood.
She jerked against him at the intimate touch. Pulling his face back to hers she moaned as his lips crashed down on hers again. His tongue played with hers as his fingers moved in a rhythm that was driving her out of her mind. Gasping for breath, he released her mouth and greedily began to suck on her breasts again.
Michael smiled as her moans began to grow louder. She held him tightly as her body began to shudder uncontrollably. Quickly he rose above her and pulled off the last garment that covered her. Susan stared in fascination as he slipped the clothes from his body, quickly glancing away at the sight of his erection. He leaned between her legs and guided them apart with his hands before he lowered himself to her.
Her sharp intake of breath as he entered her confirmed what he had just figured out. Stopping to look at her face, he saw the small tears in the corner of her eyes. “I didn’t know,” he whispered as he stared at her. Pulling his face down, she kissed him. “Please don’t stop, Michael,” she begged. “Make love to me.”
Groaning into her kiss, he surrendered as her hips lifted against him. His thrusts remained slow and gentle until she began to moan in delight again. As her inner walls began to tighten around him, his thrusts became more urgent. Her cries of ecstasy mingled with his as they both reached their climax. Michael collapsed beside her as he pulled her close.
“Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you too much?” he asked concerned.
“Michael, I’m fine,” she purred as she turned her head and kissed him. “I should have warned you.”
He smiled as she snuggled deep in his arms. “I thought you were seeing someone.”
“I lied,” she answered, kissing his arm.
Kissing her head, he sighed. “We need to get dressed before someone shows up.”
“Are you expecting someone?” she asked, enjoying the feel of his arms around her.
“Well, my brothers are here, and Tatum said she would stop by later,” he explained.
The sound of the woman’s name brought a hiss from Susan. “Why would she come back?” she asked.
“Well, I promised her a late diner, but I can tell her something came up when she gets here,” Michael answered. Feeling her back stiffen against him, he watched in surprise as she jumped off the couch and quickly began to dress. “What’s wrong?” he asked as she threw his pants to him after she got dressed.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing…really there’s no need to do that….enjoy your diner,” she called as she quickly gathered the boxes at the door and ran out, slamming the door behind her.
Running down the hall, she fought to see through the tears blinding her. As she rounded the corner she collided with someone and dropped her packages. Cursing, she bent down to pick them up. “Miss Scott, it is so good to see you again. I thought you would have been gone by now,” Tatum purred as she helped her gather up the costumes.
“I waited for Mr. Jackson to shower first,” Susan said softly as she tried to control her temper.
“Oh good, he is all ready for me then,” Tatum purred as she stood up.
Trying to smile, she whispered, “He’s all yours.” Without another word, Susan left the building and took off into the night.
Chapter sixteen:
One year later
Susan listened to her niece and nephew scream as they ran around the park. She laughed and smiled at her brother and his wife as they cuddled on the blanket beside her. Returning to her tablet, she continued work on her drawing. Her family had been supportive of her when she broke down and told them what had happened that night. Despite Karen’s pleas to talk things through with Michael, Susan had refused all his attempts to contact her. Although it pained them to watch, they respected her decision. However, Karen had thrown out all her Jackson records and swore to never listen to them again. Kenny had taken it the hardest since Susan would not allow him to go after Michael and demand an explanation from him. He was her big brother, he saw it as his job to protect her from harm, and her pain had been unbearable for him to watch. He smiled as he watched her laugh now. It was so good to finally see her smiling again.
This past year, Susan had finished up her degree and had helped Linda to launch a great opening in Paris. Their work was in high demand, and Linda had made her a partner. She was the hottest new designer and all of Hollywood demanded her to help them with their styling needs. As the saying goes: she had finally arrived!
“Penny for your thoughts,” her brother said snapping her back to the present.
“I was thinking I should buy you all a new house,” she replied, “A nice big one.”
“No way,” he said smiling at her. “But if you buy one, I’ll move in with you.”
“Oh, would it not be great if all of us were together under one roof again? The kids would be so happy because they have missed you terribly,” Karen said as she squeezed her hand.
Susan smiled, “Yeah let’s do it, let’s move up on that hill,” she said pointing to the object she had been drawing. “I’ll make some calls when I get home and we can go look at them together and decide.”
Susan was more than generous to her family. It was her way to repay them for always having been there for her. It would really be their home since she traveled a lot anyway, but it was a small lie to move them into something better. They definitely deserved the best.
They walked back to their small home, and Susan placed her things in her car. It was getting late and she was ready to head home. She hugged everyone good-bye, then noticed her brother stiffen in her arms. “What’s wrong?” she asked him as she looked up into his eyes. He never said a word, but Karen gasped, and the children screamed “Michael!” Susan spun around to face the man walking up the driveway towards them.
Susan kept a protective arm on her brother so he would not charge the man. Stephanie and Steven ran to meet him. He reached down and hugged them both, smiling at them. Karen moved toward her husband to hold his other arm as she saw the anger on his face. “Hi,” Michael called as he reached them.
“Michael, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Karen addressed him as she glanced at her husband, feeling his arm tighten.
“Karen, take the kids inside,” Kenny spat out. “Now!” he demanded.
“Kenny, please stay calm, don’t do anything stupid,” she whispered to him. Grasping their hands, she led the children inside against their protests.
Susan stared at them, very aware of the tension filling the air. “I need to talk to Susan alone,” Michael said to Kenny. “I don’t think that is a smart idea,” Kenny shot back. Glancing at Susan for help, Michael was surprised at her silence. She just stood next to her brother holding his arm. Michael realized that Kenny was being protective of his sister. Michael had not expected open arms. “Please Susan, I need to explain,” he begged her.
Kenny took a threatening step toward him, and Michael took two steps back to keep his distance. He knew Kenny wanted to hit him, and he wasn’t afraid of him, but he also remembered how much it hurt and didn’t want another scene. “Leave now, Michael,” Kenny spat out. “I will only warn you one time.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Michael said to him. “But I won’t leave until I tell her what I need to say,” Michael said as he took a brave step forward.
“I thought you were smarter than this, Jackson,” Kenny said.
Michael smirked, “Guess not.”
Susan pulled her brother back and jumped between them quickly. “Please Kenny,” she begged him, “Not here, not like this.” Michael felt his stomach twist as he remembered her saying that to him. ‘Please Michael not like this…’
He took a few extra steps to place some additional distance between them. He didn’t come here for a fight, he only wanted to make things right.
“You bastard,” Kenny said. “How can you show your face here, after what you did to her?...You think if you make an appearance it makes everything oka?...I ought to kick your ass.”
Michael looked at her confused, unsure of what had he done to deserve this anger. “Let him go Susan,” he called.
“No,” she gasped. Turning quickly to Michael, she added, “He is going to kill you.”
“No, he won’t,” Michael promised.
“I can’t let you hurt him,” she said to Kenny, shaking her head.
“Why not?” Kenny spat out.
“Because I love him!” she cried out.
Hearing the pain in his sister’s voice cleared his head. “You can’t mean that Susan….he could have tried harder…even if you walked out of that room that night…he should have come to find you….If he loved you he would have done so.” Glaring back at Michael, he spat out, “What kind of man does that?”
“That’s not what I meant to happen,” he said softly. “I’m so sorry for whatever I did to her.”
“Oh yeah?” Kenny said sarcastically. “You waited a whole year to show your face again. Did you wait for her to forget? Did you think you can ride in here and make everything okay now?”
“I was hoping to try,” Michael replied.
“Gee, she would not have a reason to be mad would she?” Kenny continued to rant. “What did that bitch tell you, Susan? Didn’t she say he gets what he wants, and then he leaves? Well, buster, you got it already, so leave.”
“What woman?” Michael asked.
“Tatum,” Susan answered.
Michael felt like Kenny had already punched him. ‘Of course; she started this after the club that night. She was fine up until then.’
“What did she say to you?” Michael asked Susan.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. It was in the past, and it’s been too long to worry about or mention it now,” she said.
“Trash! She told her she was trash and wasn’t good enough for you.” Kenny supplied the information as Susan groaned. “My sister thought she was doing you a favor, since she was so beneath you,” he growled out. “I wish she had never meet you.”
“Susan, you believed that? You thought of yourself like that?” Michal asked her. Not receiving an answer, he continued, “I never saw you like that. I thought you were amazing. I hated to be away from you....I loved you then…and I love you even more today.”
“I wasn’t the person you needed. You deserved someone famous like you, someone everyone would be happy to see on your arm, someone you could take out in public.” she said as the tears fell down her face.
“I wanted you…I needed you….I didn’t take you out because I wanted to spend time with you alone. Susan, I was happy just being with you.”
Staring at them both in shock, Kenny was at a loss for words. He gathered his sister in his arms and whispered into her ear. She nodded and he whispered something else. Michael strained to hear it, but could not make out the words. He stared as Kenny wiped her eyes and walked to the house.
Wiping her eyes again, she strolled to her car. “Get in the car, Michael,” she said as she got into the driver’s seat.
Chapter seventeen:
They drove through town in silence. Michael didn’t dare say a word, while Susan went over his words in her mind. His song played in the car. Breaking the silence, she asked, “Why did you record this song?”
Michael listened to the music and heard “She’s Out Of My Life.” “For you,” he whispered.
“Did you know I heard it?” she said.
“Yes,” he answered honestly.
“And you hired Linda because you knew I was working for her?” she sighed.
“Yes. I insisted she put you on the project. And yes, I told her I wanted you there that night, so she sent you,” he whispered.
It all made sense now. “And Karen told you were I would be today, didn’t she?” she sighed as he gave the answer she had already figured out. “So, she told you what I have been up to?”
“Most of it…I didn’t know about the club that night,” he said as he sighed. “Don’t be mad at her, she did it out of her love for you.”
“And her love for you as well,” she countered. “So, after that night she just forgave you and everything was just great….She didn’t throw away the albums, did she?” she said, smiling.
“I am keeping them safe for her,” he smiled back. “And no, she didn’t just forgive me, she hits almost as hard as your brother.”
“She hit you?” Susan giggled.
“Yeah, right in the cheek. But after I got her calmed down she listened and vowed to help me make things right between us. I was wrong to not go after you that night. I should have, but you confused me by running away like that. I didn’t know it was because of her. She means nothing to me.” he finished, staring at her.
Pulling the car into the garage, she parked it and looked at him. “Get out”, she said. “Here?” he replied. Smiling at him, she said, “yes this is where I live. Don’t tell me you don’t know that.”
“That’s one thing she would never tell me, no matter how many times I asked,” he said, smiling back at her.
“Well, there’s one point for her,” she said. Taking his hand, she pulled him to the elevator and to his delight never released it until they were inside her apartment. A cat circled her legs as she walked in. “Hi Jack,” she said to him and reached down to pick him up. “Jack? Who names a cat Jack?” he asked, smiling at her. “This is Jackson. I call him Jack for short.”
“Wow, you almost sound like a fan,” he said to her.
She smiled and put the cat down. “Come here,” she said as she pulled him to her room. “You are probably going to call the cops when you see how crazed I truly am.” Confused, Michael followed her into her room and stared in amazement at her walls. His face rendered in paints and charcoals covered the walls. Walking around to study them, he saw every detail, every stroke was done with perfection. Every picture oozed the love she had for him. Tears came to his eyes as he realized she had never stopped thinking of him. The pictures filled her walls like wallpaper, covering them from the floor to the ceiling. ‘There have to be hundreds,’ he thought.
“Well? Do you like them or do you want to run away?” she asked, searching his eyes.
Michael crossed the room. “I’m not going anywhere...why didn’t you draw these designs that day in the office?” he asked her.
“Is there one you like in particular?”
“Thanks,” he said as he handed the costume to her, which she quickly packed away. “Are you in a hurry?” he asked, watching her.
“I have a date tonight,” she lied to him. “I promised to meet him as soon as I was done.”
“Really?” he said, “I didn’t know…sorry to hold you up…by all means go…thanks for remaining so professional tonight…..I won’t put you in this position again.” He sank into the couch.
Susan felt the hurt in his words. Stopping at the door, she laid the box down. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I hope you know that. One day I hope we can be friends, because I have missed you.”
Michael stared at her back. “Why? What did I do that was so bad it made you treat me that way?” he asked her softly.
Susan felt the tears burn her eyes. “I had to do it. I didn’t want to hold you back….you deserved so much more than I could ever be,” she said.
“I never asked you to be more,” he said slowly.
“Please,” she begged. “Just tell me to go,” she cried out.
“No,” he screamed as he flew across the room towards her. Reaching her, he swung her around to face him. “I can’t do that,” he said as his lips crashed down on hers. Michael threw every emotion he had in his soul into the kiss, not really caring about hers. ‘She had no right to stand there and try to cry,’ his mind raced. His lips punished hers, demanding her to respond. Trapping her against the door, he held her tightly as he assaulted her senses.
Susan cried out as his lips claimed hers. He was angry and the kiss was not one of love. Trying to push him off, she finally got loose from his lips. “Please Michael, not like this!” she cried out.
Hearing her pleas, his head laid against her hair as he smelled the locks beneath his nose. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. Releasing her, he made his way to the chair across the room and sank into it gratefully. “Just go Susan,” he demanded softly.
Susan stared at him speechlessly, her fingers rising to her lips that were swollen from his kiss. Her mind screamed at her to leave, but her heart sank at sight of the man sitting there with his head buried in his hands. He was the first man she had ever loved and the only man who she would ever love. “Michael, I can’t,” she whispered into the quiet room. Crossing the distance to sit beside him, she lifted his head so he could look into her face. “Don’t make me go,” she said as she kissed his lips softly.
Michael sighed as she offered her lips to him. Drinking deeply from them, he moaned as he pulled her onto his lap. As their kisses deepened his hand reached up to caress her breast. She moaned deep within her throat and her fingers ran through his hair. Breaking the kiss he lifted her in his arms and laid her onto the couch.
Her arms reached to pull him back to her, missing the contact with his body. Michael smiled shyly as he lowered his body to hers, his lips brushing against hers as his hands began to roam across her body. As his mouth sought out her neck, she threw her head back to allow him access. His hand slid up her leg as he molded her body beneath his.
Susan slipped her hands between them to unfasten the buttons that held her dress in place. Michael pulled her up to slide it off her shoulders, his fingers freeing her breasts as he quickly slipped her bra off as well. Lowering her back down, his mouth sought out the peak of her breast as his mouth closed against it. Her fingers wrapped in his hair as she groaned her approval. His arousal heightened at her cries of passion, his fingers sliding into her panties to touch her womanhood.
She jerked against him at the intimate touch. Pulling his face back to hers she moaned as his lips crashed down on hers again. His tongue played with hers as his fingers moved in a rhythm that was driving her out of her mind. Gasping for breath, he released her mouth and greedily began to suck on her breasts again.
Michael smiled as her moans began to grow louder. She held him tightly as her body began to shudder uncontrollably. Quickly he rose above her and pulled off the last garment that covered her. Susan stared in fascination as he slipped the clothes from his body, quickly glancing away at the sight of his erection. He leaned between her legs and guided them apart with his hands before he lowered himself to her.
Her sharp intake of breath as he entered her confirmed what he had just figured out. Stopping to look at her face, he saw the small tears in the corner of her eyes. “I didn’t know,” he whispered as he stared at her. Pulling his face down, she kissed him. “Please don’t stop, Michael,” she begged. “Make love to me.”
Groaning into her kiss, he surrendered as her hips lifted against him. His thrusts remained slow and gentle until she began to moan in delight again. As her inner walls began to tighten around him, his thrusts became more urgent. Her cries of ecstasy mingled with his as they both reached their climax. Michael collapsed beside her as he pulled her close.
“Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you too much?” he asked concerned.
“Michael, I’m fine,” she purred as she turned her head and kissed him. “I should have warned you.”
He smiled as she snuggled deep in his arms. “I thought you were seeing someone.”
“I lied,” she answered, kissing his arm.
Kissing her head, he sighed. “We need to get dressed before someone shows up.”
“Are you expecting someone?” she asked, enjoying the feel of his arms around her.
“Well, my brothers are here, and Tatum said she would stop by later,” he explained.
The sound of the woman’s name brought a hiss from Susan. “Why would she come back?” she asked.
“Well, I promised her a late diner, but I can tell her something came up when she gets here,” Michael answered. Feeling her back stiffen against him, he watched in surprise as she jumped off the couch and quickly began to dress. “What’s wrong?” he asked as she threw his pants to him after she got dressed.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing…really there’s no need to do that….enjoy your diner,” she called as she quickly gathered the boxes at the door and ran out, slamming the door behind her.
Running down the hall, she fought to see through the tears blinding her. As she rounded the corner she collided with someone and dropped her packages. Cursing, she bent down to pick them up. “Miss Scott, it is so good to see you again. I thought you would have been gone by now,” Tatum purred as she helped her gather up the costumes.
“I waited for Mr. Jackson to shower first,” Susan said softly as she tried to control her temper.
“Oh good, he is all ready for me then,” Tatum purred as she stood up.
Trying to smile, she whispered, “He’s all yours.” Without another word, Susan left the building and took off into the night.
Chapter sixteen:
One year later
Susan listened to her niece and nephew scream as they ran around the park. She laughed and smiled at her brother and his wife as they cuddled on the blanket beside her. Returning to her tablet, she continued work on her drawing. Her family had been supportive of her when she broke down and told them what had happened that night. Despite Karen’s pleas to talk things through with Michael, Susan had refused all his attempts to contact her. Although it pained them to watch, they respected her decision. However, Karen had thrown out all her Jackson records and swore to never listen to them again. Kenny had taken it the hardest since Susan would not allow him to go after Michael and demand an explanation from him. He was her big brother, he saw it as his job to protect her from harm, and her pain had been unbearable for him to watch. He smiled as he watched her laugh now. It was so good to finally see her smiling again.
This past year, Susan had finished up her degree and had helped Linda to launch a great opening in Paris. Their work was in high demand, and Linda had made her a partner. She was the hottest new designer and all of Hollywood demanded her to help them with their styling needs. As the saying goes: she had finally arrived!
“Penny for your thoughts,” her brother said snapping her back to the present.
“I was thinking I should buy you all a new house,” she replied, “A nice big one.”
“No way,” he said smiling at her. “But if you buy one, I’ll move in with you.”
“Oh, would it not be great if all of us were together under one roof again? The kids would be so happy because they have missed you terribly,” Karen said as she squeezed her hand.
Susan smiled, “Yeah let’s do it, let’s move up on that hill,” she said pointing to the object she had been drawing. “I’ll make some calls when I get home and we can go look at them together and decide.”
Susan was more than generous to her family. It was her way to repay them for always having been there for her. It would really be their home since she traveled a lot anyway, but it was a small lie to move them into something better. They definitely deserved the best.
They walked back to their small home, and Susan placed her things in her car. It was getting late and she was ready to head home. She hugged everyone good-bye, then noticed her brother stiffen in her arms. “What’s wrong?” she asked him as she looked up into his eyes. He never said a word, but Karen gasped, and the children screamed “Michael!” Susan spun around to face the man walking up the driveway towards them.
Susan kept a protective arm on her brother so he would not charge the man. Stephanie and Steven ran to meet him. He reached down and hugged them both, smiling at them. Karen moved toward her husband to hold his other arm as she saw the anger on his face. “Hi,” Michael called as he reached them.
“Michael, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Karen addressed him as she glanced at her husband, feeling his arm tighten.
“Karen, take the kids inside,” Kenny spat out. “Now!” he demanded.
“Kenny, please stay calm, don’t do anything stupid,” she whispered to him. Grasping their hands, she led the children inside against their protests.
Susan stared at them, very aware of the tension filling the air. “I need to talk to Susan alone,” Michael said to Kenny. “I don’t think that is a smart idea,” Kenny shot back. Glancing at Susan for help, Michael was surprised at her silence. She just stood next to her brother holding his arm. Michael realized that Kenny was being protective of his sister. Michael had not expected open arms. “Please Susan, I need to explain,” he begged her.
Kenny took a threatening step toward him, and Michael took two steps back to keep his distance. He knew Kenny wanted to hit him, and he wasn’t afraid of him, but he also remembered how much it hurt and didn’t want another scene. “Leave now, Michael,” Kenny spat out. “I will only warn you one time.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Michael said to him. “But I won’t leave until I tell her what I need to say,” Michael said as he took a brave step forward.
“I thought you were smarter than this, Jackson,” Kenny said.
Michael smirked, “Guess not.”
Susan pulled her brother back and jumped between them quickly. “Please Kenny,” she begged him, “Not here, not like this.” Michael felt his stomach twist as he remembered her saying that to him. ‘Please Michael not like this…’
He took a few extra steps to place some additional distance between them. He didn’t come here for a fight, he only wanted to make things right.
“You bastard,” Kenny said. “How can you show your face here, after what you did to her?...You think if you make an appearance it makes everything oka?...I ought to kick your ass.”
Michael looked at her confused, unsure of what had he done to deserve this anger. “Let him go Susan,” he called.
“No,” she gasped. Turning quickly to Michael, she added, “He is going to kill you.”
“No, he won’t,” Michael promised.
“I can’t let you hurt him,” she said to Kenny, shaking her head.
“Why not?” Kenny spat out.
“Because I love him!” she cried out.
Hearing the pain in his sister’s voice cleared his head. “You can’t mean that Susan….he could have tried harder…even if you walked out of that room that night…he should have come to find you….If he loved you he would have done so.” Glaring back at Michael, he spat out, “What kind of man does that?”
“That’s not what I meant to happen,” he said softly. “I’m so sorry for whatever I did to her.”
“Oh yeah?” Kenny said sarcastically. “You waited a whole year to show your face again. Did you wait for her to forget? Did you think you can ride in here and make everything okay now?”
“I was hoping to try,” Michael replied.
“Gee, she would not have a reason to be mad would she?” Kenny continued to rant. “What did that bitch tell you, Susan? Didn’t she say he gets what he wants, and then he leaves? Well, buster, you got it already, so leave.”
“What woman?” Michael asked.
“Tatum,” Susan answered.
Michael felt like Kenny had already punched him. ‘Of course; she started this after the club that night. She was fine up until then.’
“What did she say to you?” Michael asked Susan.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. It was in the past, and it’s been too long to worry about or mention it now,” she said.
“Trash! She told her she was trash and wasn’t good enough for you.” Kenny supplied the information as Susan groaned. “My sister thought she was doing you a favor, since she was so beneath you,” he growled out. “I wish she had never meet you.”
“Susan, you believed that? You thought of yourself like that?” Michal asked her. Not receiving an answer, he continued, “I never saw you like that. I thought you were amazing. I hated to be away from you....I loved you then…and I love you even more today.”
“I wasn’t the person you needed. You deserved someone famous like you, someone everyone would be happy to see on your arm, someone you could take out in public.” she said as the tears fell down her face.
“I wanted you…I needed you….I didn’t take you out because I wanted to spend time with you alone. Susan, I was happy just being with you.”
Staring at them both in shock, Kenny was at a loss for words. He gathered his sister in his arms and whispered into her ear. She nodded and he whispered something else. Michael strained to hear it, but could not make out the words. He stared as Kenny wiped her eyes and walked to the house.
Wiping her eyes again, she strolled to her car. “Get in the car, Michael,” she said as she got into the driver’s seat.
Chapter seventeen:
They drove through town in silence. Michael didn’t dare say a word, while Susan went over his words in her mind. His song played in the car. Breaking the silence, she asked, “Why did you record this song?”
Michael listened to the music and heard “She’s Out Of My Life.” “For you,” he whispered.
“Did you know I heard it?” she said.
“Yes,” he answered honestly.
“And you hired Linda because you knew I was working for her?” she sighed.
“Yes. I insisted she put you on the project. And yes, I told her I wanted you there that night, so she sent you,” he whispered.
It all made sense now. “And Karen told you were I would be today, didn’t she?” she sighed as he gave the answer she had already figured out. “So, she told you what I have been up to?”
“Most of it…I didn’t know about the club that night,” he said as he sighed. “Don’t be mad at her, she did it out of her love for you.”
“And her love for you as well,” she countered. “So, after that night she just forgave you and everything was just great….She didn’t throw away the albums, did she?” she said, smiling.
“I am keeping them safe for her,” he smiled back. “And no, she didn’t just forgive me, she hits almost as hard as your brother.”
“She hit you?” Susan giggled.
“Yeah, right in the cheek. But after I got her calmed down she listened and vowed to help me make things right between us. I was wrong to not go after you that night. I should have, but you confused me by running away like that. I didn’t know it was because of her. She means nothing to me.” he finished, staring at her.
Pulling the car into the garage, she parked it and looked at him. “Get out”, she said. “Here?” he replied. Smiling at him, she said, “yes this is where I live. Don’t tell me you don’t know that.”
“That’s one thing she would never tell me, no matter how many times I asked,” he said, smiling back at her.
“Well, there’s one point for her,” she said. Taking his hand, she pulled him to the elevator and to his delight never released it until they were inside her apartment. A cat circled her legs as she walked in. “Hi Jack,” she said to him and reached down to pick him up. “Jack? Who names a cat Jack?” he asked, smiling at her. “This is Jackson. I call him Jack for short.”
“Wow, you almost sound like a fan,” he said to her.
She smiled and put the cat down. “Come here,” she said as she pulled him to her room. “You are probably going to call the cops when you see how crazed I truly am.” Confused, Michael followed her into her room and stared in amazement at her walls. His face rendered in paints and charcoals covered the walls. Walking around to study them, he saw every detail, every stroke was done with perfection. Every picture oozed the love she had for him. Tears came to his eyes as he realized she had never stopped thinking of him. The pictures filled her walls like wallpaper, covering them from the floor to the ceiling. ‘There have to be hundreds,’ he thought.
“Well? Do you like them or do you want to run away?” she asked, searching his eyes.
Michael crossed the room. “I’m not going anywhere...why didn’t you draw these designs that day in the office?” he asked her.
“Is there one you like in particular?”
“Yeah,” he said as he walked back over to one and pointed. Susan followed him and looked. “Oh, you like the gold, too,” she said as she regarded the skin tight golden suit staring back at her. “One of my personal favorites as well,” she agreed.
“Is this what you do at night? You draw pictures of me?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied, somewhat embarrassed to admit it. “I do that to…I mean of you...just so I can see your face.”
He put his hand on her face and caressed it. She smiled as she placed her arms around his neck and pulled him close, holding her lips up for him to claim. Slowly, while staring in her eyes, he lowered his lips to hers. A sigh escaped from her lips as he sent jolts of electricity down her body. Pulling himself back he asked, “what did Kenny say to you in the driveway?”
She smiled again at him. “He said ‘show him the pictures, and get him out of here before I change my mind.’” She sighed, “So here we are.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
“A walk?” she asked, smiling at him. “Mr. Jackson, a walk is the furthest thing from my mind right now.”
Michael smiled down at her. “And what do you have in mind?” She whispered in his ear, causing him to smile. “Are you sure?” At her nod, he pulled her close, kissing her as her words echoed in his head.
“Make love to me,” she had said.
And tenderly and gently, he did just that.
~~~The end~~~
“Is this what you do at night? You draw pictures of me?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied, somewhat embarrassed to admit it. “I do that to…I mean of you...just so I can see your face.”
He put his hand on her face and caressed it. She smiled as she placed her arms around his neck and pulled him close, holding her lips up for him to claim. Slowly, while staring in her eyes, he lowered his lips to hers. A sigh escaped from her lips as he sent jolts of electricity down her body. Pulling himself back he asked, “what did Kenny say to you in the driveway?”
She smiled again at him. “He said ‘show him the pictures, and get him out of here before I change my mind.’” She sighed, “So here we are.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
“A walk?” she asked, smiling at him. “Mr. Jackson, a walk is the furthest thing from my mind right now.”
Michael smiled down at her. “And what do you have in mind?” She whispered in his ear, causing him to smile. “Are you sure?” At her nod, he pulled her close, kissing her as her words echoed in his head.
“Make love to me,” she had said.
And tenderly and gently, he did just that.
~~~The end~~~
©2010 by Lonnie Schell and PJWN, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This story is a work of fiction. Any names, places, and other identifying features are used in a fictional manner and are in no way representative of any actual events. All lyrics, song titles, photographs, song clips, and videos are copyright their creators. This work may not be reproduced, transmitted, copied, or stored without express written permission from PJWN, LLC.