𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 | 𝐦. 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

2

I laughed as I watched Marlon run around the park like some little kid. It was an endearing sight to see, honestly. I liked seeing him happy. There were a few younger kids on the other side of the park, but on this side, it was just Marlon and I.

I was sitting on one of the swings, watching Marlon try and slide down all the slides like they were gonna disappear or something. "Marlon, the slides ain't goin' nowhere. Calm down before you hurt yourself," I giggled, and he just smiles excitedly at me.

"Sorry, Tonya, I just ain't had this much fun in a while. Too busy making albums with my brothers," he says as he dramatically dives down another slide.

I feel sadness in my heart for him because he and his brothers aren't allowed to do much when his dad's around, but I tried my best not to let it show as I didn't want to upset him or ruin this beautiful day.

Marlon comes out of the bottom of the slide and walks over to me, "why don't you come and slide with me instead of sitting there looking goofy?" he asks with a playful grin. I act like I was going to hit him and he playfully flinches.

"Sorry, sorry! You know you don't look goofy, girl," he says, throwing his hands up in defense with a chuckle. "Come on, let's go," I say, standing up, going to one of the slides. This seems to excite him because he runs after me.

We played at the park like little kids until what seemed like forever, then Marlon checked his watch, looking at the time. "Oh crap, I'm late!" He suddenly blurts out, hopping down from the entrance of the slide.

"Late for...?" I question, climbing down the slide as well. "I was supposed to be back home twenty minutes ago... ah, man, Joe's gonna kill me!" He grips his afro in fear, beginning to pace nervously.

"Marlon," I say as an attempt to get his attention. He doesn't reply. "Marlon!" I call out once more, and I see that he's too trapped up in his thoughts to pay attention to me. I grab his shoulders, "Marlon!" I yell, and he quiets down, looking into my eyes.

The way that we're just staring at each other in the midst of this part gives me a weird feeling, so I release him and begin to talk to cut the awkwardness in the air, "Relax. I'll just come with you and take the blame for it. I'll just say that I insisted you come to the park with me," I explain, in hopes to comfort him.

"Oh, Tonya, Joseph's crazier than you think. He wouldn't believe that for a second," Marlon worriedly looks at his watch once more. "It wouldn't hurt to try, right? Besides, you said he's gonna be out of town this weekend.. maybe he left early," I replied, doing my best to ease his nerves.

I hated how Marlon's father was. Even the simple mention of that man's name struck extreme fear in him and his brothers. Marlon looked at me, his expression hesitant.

"Come on, I'm sure if he gets angry, he won't do anything with me around," I grab his hand and he nods as we make our way to the Jackson household. It wasn't too far from the park.

"Well, alright, Tonya. I just hope you're right," he says quietly, interlacing our fingers, which gives me a weird feeling, the same one I had when we locked eyes.