Streets of Gold - A Michael Jackson Story

Chapter 57 - The Manhunt for Yonela Miya

Yonela

Wednesday March 16th, 1988 - Pinecrest, Miami

After a much needed shower and some breakfast, I check on Reign to find her fast asleep. Grateful that I already bathed and fed her earlier, I decide to take this time to make a very important phone call. I grab my phone book and look for Nyaniso's number, then pick up the receiver and dial.

It rings once...

Twice...

A third time...

"Hello?"

"Molo, Nyaniso."

"Yonela? Nguwe, mntase?"

"Ndim', mntakaMama."

"It's so good to hear your voice," he says. "How have you been?"

"Surprisingly, I'm alright. How about you?"

"I'm doing just fine," he says. "How's my favourite niece doing?"

"Sleeping like an angel," I smile. "She's perfect."

"That's wonderful," he responds with so much pride that I can hear him smiling. "I've been meaning to come by an visit, yaz'."

"It's good that you didn't," I start. "You probably wouldn't find me there."

"I had a feeling," he says. "When I call the house, there's no answer, and no one calls back."

"Michael's cleaning staff only come in on Sundays, and security is always at the gates. Other than that, the house is empty."

"Where are you, mntase?"

"Somewhere far away... but somewhere safe... I'll give you all the details when things have blown over."

"Alright," he says. "Ngoku... uphi uSbari?"

I exhale a deep breath. "Andazi... probably getting ready for a performance somewhere."

"I don't know how to feel after seeing those tabloid articles recently."

"Then you can only imagine how I felt when it happened. That kiss... I saw it with my own eyes."

"Uyaxoka, mntase!"

"I wish," I say, shaking my head. "Kodwa hayi, mntase - inyani."

"Why would he do this to you?"

"Good question."

"The actual nerve... and to think that I actually looked up to him, respected him as a man..."

"Mntase, please don't mix his work ethic with his extra-marital affair. In all honesty, neither one has anything to do with the other."

"You're too good for him, Yonela."

"Maybe I am, mntase, but uNonkululeko needs her father."

"Very true."

"Besides, Michael is still my husband."

"Mntase, don't tell me you're thinking of..."

"Getting a divorce?" I finish my brother's question. There's a silent moment before he speaks again.

"I know how much you love him, Yonela."

"The thought has crossed my mind, mntase," I say. "He broke my heart, and the vow we made, but you're right - I do still love him."