You Are My Life

Meet Dr. Murray

May 2009

"How about this one?" I say, pointing to the outfit drawing. "No not that one. We need something a little more edgy. You know how people look at you! Classy with sex appeal." Sasha says. I roll my eyes looking through the sketch book. "Why can't we just use Blanca?" I whine. "Because Blanca is your regular stylist, these are concert styles we're looking at." Sasha responds. I look at the time and realize Michael was missing. "Ugh, this is the second time Michael hasn't come to these meetings... Where is he?" I turn to Kenny. Kenny shakes his head and shrugs. "I don't know, I've called him twice. But we have to get started on rehearsal. Travis will just have to step in as Michael." I try to give his phone a call.

"Hi you've reached Michael Jackson. Sorry I'm not available right now, but please leave a message and I will try my best to call you back."

I hang up the phone, a scoff leaving my lips. Michael has never NOT answered my calls. We continue on with the rehearsal until Kenny stops the band. "Michael isn't coming due to scheduling conflicts. I just got off the phone with his assistant. He says he's working on getting his schedule to coincide with the rehearsal." I cross my arms. Why didn't he answer my call? I think to myself.

Michael missed about 3 more days of rehearsal until finally he called everyone over to meet someone, that he says, would help him out. I open the door of his home to see Kenny and Michael speaking with a man in the kitchen. "Jayla! Finally." Michael chuckles, "Dr. Murray, this is my good friend, Jayla Pearson. Jayla, this is my doctor Conrad Murray." I smile politely and shake his hand as he does the same. "He'll be going on tour with us to keep my health intact." Michael smiles. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Pearson." Dr. Murray smiles. " Michael, this is very serious.. You have to start coming to rehearsals. If you don't AEG will cancel it." Kenny says. Michael nods. "I know, that's why I have Dr. Murray." "Well, if that's all, I have to go get Angel from my mother. I'll see you at rehearsal Mike." I smile, giving him a light hug and walk towards the door.

Michael started to attend more rehearsals but there were days he didn't seem like himself. It was like he would zone out. "You ok?" I ask tapping his shoulder. He looks at me behind his dark glasses. "Yeah, I'm just exhausted." "Maybe you should take a rest..." I say studying him. He nods and sits in the chair. There were a lot of days like that. I started to feel worried. What was this doctor for if Michael was tired all the time.

June 2009

We started our physical rehearsals and things were going pretty well. We moved to the staples center in LA so we could practice the full effects of the show. I was excited but, I was still extremely worried about Michael though. He was getting thinner and he always seemed a little distant. He's always been a small guy but this was different. Plus I know he's suffered with anorexia before, I needed to check on him. Michael sat off to the side on the floor by himself while the dancers did their stretches. I sat next to him quietly. "Everything ok?" I ask. "Yeah..." He says in a reassuring tone I didn't believe. "Are you sure?" He sighs. "No. I'm scared..." I frown. "What are you scared of?" I ask him. "I don't know...it's been years since I went on tour. I'm actually nervous." I grin "what? After the 24 years I've known you... You're nervous?" He smiles and nods. "Yeah... What if things don't go right?" I put my arm around him. "It'll be alright Michael, you'll be fine." I smile, leaning my head against his shoulder. "Jayla, Michael! I wanna show you the graphics and lighting for heal the world." Kenny yells to us. We both walk down to Kenny and watch as the band begins to play. The clips of smiling faces of each race begin playing on the jumbo screen along with lyrics to the song. I watch as my mind reverts back to the first time Michael and I sang this song live. I giggle a little at how I was so nervous back then. I look at Michael as he watched intently his eyes wide and glowing, a smile growing on his face. "Remember when we did this for the first time?" He smiles, almost reading my mind. "Are you happy with this?" I ask him. He looks at me smiling. "Yeah... I feel like we're accomplishing the dream... Are you happy?" I giggle, nodding my head. Michael wraps an arm around my shoulder pulling closer for a hug. He kisses my temple lightly as we watch the set end.

Days at rehearsal were better and better, until one day Michael came in feeling extremely feverish. I place my hand on his head. "Mike you're burning up! Are you ok?" I ask. "Im fine, lets just start. It's just my body heat." I fold my arms. He knew I knew his body heat better than he did, there's no way he expected me to believe that. "Really?" I scoff. He looks at me, his eyes low and I began to think, was he drugged? "Look I'll sit out and watch today if that's ok.." He says slowly. I sit next to him, giving him a blanket when he got cold. He ate a little food and I called Dr. Murray. No success on his end. "Where is your doctor Michael?" I sigh. "I don't know..." He shrugs. "This isn't normal to feel like this... you need to go home." I look at him. He kept shivering and wrapping the blanket closer around him. I rubbed his arms to try and help. Kenny even came over and rubbed his feet. After a while, Michael decided it was best for him to go home. "Kenny, we've gotta tell Randy Phillips about this...I'm worried" I say watching Michael leave. "I'll send an email after rehearsal tonight." He says. I nod my head and we continue rehearsal.

There was a meeting called at Michael's house a couple days later that Kenny and I attended. Dr. Murray approached me in an angry tone. "Why did you send Michael home early?" He asks. "I didn't send him home, I suggested it and he agreed... But here's a better question, where were you when I called you about him?" I sneer back. "Stop trying to be an amateur doctor and leave Michael's health to me." He growls back. I sigh looking to Michael. "Mike, tell him that's not what happened.. You wanted to go home." Michael nodded "yeah that's what happened she didn't send me home Conrad." "Mike I'm just worried about you. That's the only reason Kenny sent that email." I say walking past Dr. Murray. "I know Jay, and I appreciate it. But you have to trust me, I'll be ok." He says, holding my arms. He gives me a long tight hug. "I love you Jay." He smiles. "I love you too Mike..." I mutter back. "Next time be available and maybe there won't be any amateur doctors around." I groan at Conrad before leaving.

"I can't believe he said that to you!" Brian says over the phone. "I know! He wasn't even there for Michael. Brian, Mike was really sick.. I did the right thing." I sigh. "You did babe." He agrees. "What if this is too much for him..." I mumble. "Don't worry yourself... He'll be fine. I'm confident things will work out." Brian says. "I hope so..."