Book 5- 1969 (Michael Jackson)

Chapter 3- The Dilemma

                Chapter 3- The Dilemma

                Date: Monday, February 17, 1969

                Time: 10:14PM

                JOSEPH'S POV

"Joseph, are you alright? You seem to be acting a tad... grim, I suppose. What's on your mind?" 

I shot Kate a stressed, unmasked glance. "Not much, I'm quite fine. No need to worry about me." I reached for my No. 1 Dad coffee mug and thoughtfully took a sip out of it. Putting it back on the table, I resumed my intense pondering. I had a lot on my mind, and I wasn't sure how to answer it.

I had been thinking a lot about Michael and Kayla recently, and their... abnormalities. The sleeping and such was getting much too out-of-hand, and Tito even suspected that their ailments were linked in some way. Since there was no clear way that I could explain these bizarre events, I reconsidered the choice I was about to make last year: therapy.

I couldn't tell any of this to the other kids, either. Heaven only knew what they would respond with, and I certainly didn't need any sarcastic remarks or jeers towards the two kids. While I got annoyed with them constantly, I did love them all. It would not be fair to the both of them to get hurt by the others' words.

In fact, thinking about all of the rude comments they could leave behind reminded me of my own childhood. Those fuzzy memories of getting picked on and beat up in elementary school still bewildered me to this day. It made me wonder why I hadn't started lifting weights earlier than I had. Having that extra weight in muscle would have been extremely beneficial in my early years.

Then again, the past was said and done. I had to focus on what was going to happen, rather than dwell on my past problems. Right now, I wanted to put all of my attention on Motown.

Of course, I couldn't do that. I had something in the way of Motown. Somethings, in fact. If we didn't say or do anything about Kayla and Michael quick, then what would happen? Would we be refused the spot in Motown? Would Berry Gordy just laugh in our faces? Would our dreams of a carefree, prosperous life become a faerie tale and nothing more?

"I know you're lying," Kate whispered. She leaned closer to me, narrowing her eyes. "Tell me, Joseph, what are you thinking about? What has you so deep in thought? After eight o'clock, you usually begin to settle."

"Nothing, I said," I fibbed. "There's absolutely nothin' wrong. Don't worry about it." I reached for my coffee mug a second time.

"Spit it out, now," she commanded. "Or I'm gonna have to... to..."

"Can't come up with anything, eh?" I questioned, wearing a smirk. "'Course you can't..."

"Come on, Joseph! I'll do anything," she begged.

My ears perked up with interest. "Anything?"

"Anything."

That was enough to cave into. "Alright, fine. I'll tell you what's been eating at me for the past couple days." I set my mug down, thus beginning my explanation. "It's about Motown."

She squinted. "Do you think Motown isn't the way to go?"

"No, no!" I shouted, waving my hands about. "Not at all. It's just that, well, the whole Mike and Kayla... issue, I suppose you could say, and... Do you think they won't allow us if we tell them about it?"

She considered this for a moment. Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she responded. "I don't even think that they'd take what we would say seriously. Kayla and Michael... nothing has ever happened quite like it. You know, we-"

"In a whisper," I scolded playfully. "What would Michael do if he heard us talking about him like this?"

She nodded slowly. "True."

The two of us resumed our conversation in a low whisper. "So... what do you think should happen? Do you think therapy would be our best option?"

She shot me the most incredulous look I had ever seen on someone before. "Jo-seph, why would you even consider that? Despite being different from everyone else, they are quite normal children."

"That made no sense at all," I chuckled.

She crossed her legs, not bothering to smooth out her nightgown. "You know what I mean. Even though they have some sort of... connection, they are just like any of the other kids."

"Who have incredible talents and smart-ass attitudes," I added. "For their age, that is." I kept myself from saying that Kayla had no singing talent, making Michael more talented. I'd have gotten slapped for that one, even though she wasn't related to us in any way.

She brought me back to the original subject. "Anyways, I don't believe we would have to take therapy, or have them see any kind of counselor, for that matter."

"Well, then, what are we gonna do? We'd be ridiculed if we told the company about Michael and Kayla, and we aren't stopping the problem... what other option do we have?"

"Easy," Kate said, her motherly tone of voice kicking in. "We don't tell anyone at all, no matter what. We'll keep this a little Jackson family secret."

It was my turn to question her actions. "Are you sure that's a smart idea? What if something happens publicly?"

Sure enough, she had something to say that assured me. "Nothing will. We know everything happens on the 7th of each month. We'll be sure to just not have anything scheduled for the 7th."

I didn't know if anyone could try to swing something like that. I mean, I could definitely try for Kate, but I wasn't as totally business-savvy as I appeared to be. I mean, I had Michael sign a contract once, even though I am the Jackson Five and Johnny's manager.

"Okay," I stifled. "Do you think it'll work?"

"Pretty sure," she said. "I'm not in the business, but I know a couple things about it. I'd say that there is nothing to be worrying about. Sure enough, we can get this done and we'll be good as ever, not having to worry about our little secret."

"...Okay." My own words choked me. I had no choice but to inwardly roll my eyes. Oh no, she thinks she knows what we're up against. I hope she knows what she's doing... or we could be in deep trouble.

She furrowed her brows once again. "You alright? You seem a tad pale, Joseph."

"Nah... I'm fine."

"Okay, if you say so." She gradually got up and perambulated into the kitchen to grab something.

When she was gone, I breathed out a stressful groan. My hands took control and reached for the mug quicker than the bat of an eye. Gonna need this...