𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 | 𝐦. 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

3

Marlon held my hand until we were halfway to his house, but he let go whenever we were arriving because he said he didn't want his father to think anything.

His family has known about me for a while because Marlon and I have been best friends since childhood, but I don't think his father ever took a liking towards me, so I understood Marlon's reasoning.

As he and I released hands, I looked over at him and he still looked fearful even though I told him I'd be there for him. I really hated seeing him like this, but there was nothing I could do as the closer we go to his home, the more apprehensive he looked. Was his father really that bad?

I never saw the abuse firsthand, and Marlon refused to give me the details or even talk about it. Jermaine told me a little about it when I was having dinner with them once, but I still wonder.

When we arrived at the home, I saw Marlon's brothers playing outside, something that they rarely do. They all seemed to take notice of me and Marlon and came rushing over.

"Where y'all been?" Tito asked us, giving me a nod as a greeting, and Marlon seemed to relax a little.

"Ma said I could hang out with Tonya today so we went to the park," he explained, looking over at me for a second. "Why y'all out here?"

"Joseph's not gonna be here for at least another hour or two so we're making the most of it," Jackie told him, looking over at me with a friendly smile as if to say 'hello'. Marlon looked absolutely relieved at this fact.

Jermaine came over holding a basketball in his hands, followed by Randy. "Hey, Tonya," they both said in unison and I smiled and waved.

"Where's Michael?" I heard Marlon ask, and the boys' smiles visibly falter as if Marlon cursed them out or something. "He's um- inside," Jermaine replied. Marlon and I looked at each other in concern before looking back at the guys.

"Is he alright?"

Jermaine nods, "You know, the usual. Joseph got him before he left because he was 'back talking' even though he didn't say anything, so he doesn't wanna talk to anybody right now."

I looked over at Marlon and his expression seemed angry. I heard him sigh and he grabbed my hand. "Come on, Tonya," he mutters, gently pulling me into the house. I glance back at the boys and they wave with sad smiles.

We walked inside and I was met with a wonderful sweet smell. I saw Marlon's mother in the kitchen, seeming to be baking a pie or cake. She turned around upon hearing the sound of the door opening and a kind smile graced her face. "Hey, Marlon," she spoke to her son, nodding in my direction with a smile, "Tonya."

Marlon and I greet her back. I've always adored his mother, she was always so graceful and kind. "Where have y'all two been?" she asks, setting down some ingredients on the counter. "We went to the park today," I explain and she nods.

"Did y'all have fun?" she asks, and Marlon smiles at her. "Yeah, ma! It was amazing, really. I haven't been on a slide in ages," Marlon tells her excitedly and I see her smile turn into a sad one. "Well, that's great, baby."

"Yeah. Anyways, do you know where Mike is at?" he asks, and Mrs. Katherine nods and points to what I think is Michael's room. I've been over plenty of times but I've never been in they guys' bedrooms. "Thanks," he says and grabs my hand again and we make our way to Michael's room.

"Mike," Marlon calls out, knocking on the door. "It's Marlon," he says, but there's silence for a little. Then we hear rummaging, and Michael speaks. "G-Go away, man," a quiet voice calls, laced with pain.

"Mike, let me in, please. I just wanna talk to you," Marlon tries again and there's a long period of silence before Michael opens the door, going back to sit on his bed.

Marlon sits by him and I sit next to Marlon. I wasn't sure how to comfort Michael in this situation, so I just let Marlon do all the talking and I'd be there for support if Michael needed it. I didn't want to interfere with their brother moments anyway.

"Ain't nothing to talk about, Marlon," Michael says, facing away from him and I. "I know, Mike, I know," Marlon tells him, voice gentle. He wraps an arm around his younger brother and he tries to move away but Marlon stops him with his words.

"You ain't gotta bottle up how you feel from me, man. I'm your brother."

And Michael seems to get even more emotional by that, now letting out quiet sobs. Marlon pulls his crying brother into his arms and lets him cry, even getting a little emotional himself. "I know, man. I know."

I find myself getting emotional at the sight as well and get up to sit on the other side of Michael, rubbing a comforting hand on his back. He doesn't fight it. "It's going to be alright someday, Michael," I mutter, and Marlon looks at me with a sad smile, some other kind of emotion in his eyes, but I can't tell what.

After Michael's cries die down, he hugs Marlon and I. "Thank you, guys, really. I really needed that," he tells us and we just smile. "You know I got you, bro," Marlon says, giving Michael a noogie who laughs. "Yeah, I'll always be here for y'all and Marlon," I tell him with a grin.

"Well, I probably should be going," I say, taking Marlon's arm to look at his watch before letting go. "Yeah, it's getting late."

Marlon and Michael both perk up at this. "Right now?" Michael asks. "Yeah, why don't you stay for dinner? Your mother wouldn't mind," Marlon says, trying to persuade me.

"I don't know.." I trail off, thinking it over. The two boys then attempt to give me puppy eyes and of course, I gave in. The Jackson brothers are all literally adorable, how could you say no to them? Especially Marlon. Wait, what?