Angel in Disguise ~ Michael Jackson

0.6

2009

"Hey guys!" I yelled, walking back into the house.

"Mama, we have a little problem." Zayden ran up to me.

"You always have a little problem. What's wrong?"

"Your friend is here, he's in the kitchen talking to Micah, Paris, and Addysin about weird stuff."

"Which friend?"

"His name don't make a sound! I don't think so anyway. The dude... The dude formally known as Prince?"

"The Artist you mean?" I rolled my eyes and ran into the kitchen. "Sweetheart!" I yelled, embracing him in my arms. "What are you doing here, honey?"

"Do you think I would hear of my beloved friend going through tough times and not come pay her a visit?" he smirked and held my hand. "The kids are getting so big!"

"Girls... Go do something, let me talk to my sweetheart." I instructed and Micah exaggeratedly groaned her way out. "I'm in shock... Never did I think Prince Rogers Nelson would come across the country to pay me a visit!"

"Now, don't make me feel like that now. You've just never needed me this badly. You look beautiful, by the way. Not that I'm surprised, because you were born stunning, but I just figured you would be more stressed. What's on your mind, babydoll?"

I held onto his hand. "What's on my mind... Is that first, I love you so much for coming to see me. And I'm worried of course, but going through these memories is like opening a chest that's been hidden in an attic for too long. I'm too interested to stress, dear is that weird? It's like since yesterday when he got in the hospital, everything is bringing back memories, right from the start."

"That's a good thing, doll. I was expecting you to be here earlier, I've been here for an hour. I am in town for a week, so I'm just taking my stuff to my hotel room, I'll be back here in a few hours."

"Alright, thank you baby." I kissed his cheek and waved him off.

As soon as he left, Micah walked in. "Mom, Grandma called Amir and said we should all go over to her house right now, he's putting the little ones in his car."

I squinted my eyes. "For what?"

"She wants us to stick together in this time, I guess? I don't know exactly." She shrugged.

"So you're about to leave me here by myself?"

"You could come?"

"Now you know your grandmother hates me."

"Well ma... I don't know what we're supposed to do."

"No, I'm sorry, it's fine. Go ahead, are you going to spend the night? It might lift all of your spirits to be with your cousins."

"We might, I'll call you if we are, but I'll probably come home though."

"Okay... I love you! And tell Amir to call me when he gets the chance. Bye." I bit my lip and waved.

"I love you too mom, and will do."

Prince never actually came back that evening like he said he would, but it was okay. I spent my night reminiscing.

What had felt like a day dream for the past day soon turned into a nightmare I had been living for years. It was when something like a plague started. Right after the first Annual Ragtime Ball, when heroin started to creep it's way into my life. Like a parasite, it started to consume, my loved ones and myself being the hosts.

1984

I woke up to fingers tapping against my back. "Mmm? I groaned.

"Janie, wake up it's urgent. Peyton is crying, she wants to talk to you." When I heard Peyton was crying, I immediately sprang out of bed and ran to the phone.

"Peyton? Honey, what's wrong?"

"Mommy, I think she's dead!" She sobbed.

"What happened?"

"She- I just heard Miss Marcia yell and I ran into Mommy's room and she was just laying there on her bed, th- there are needles on the bed too and Miss Marcia called the police. Is she gonna be okay?"

"Don't worry, where is Kelsea?"

"She's in my room. Please come, Londy. I need you." That was the first time I felt my heart break in my chest.

"I'm on my way Peyton, just give me a few minutes. You and Kels will come stay with me and Michael for a little while, so pack some clothes. And stay in your room until i come get you. Don't worry about Mommy, she's okay. I love you, I'll be there very soon." I said, hanging up.

"What's going on?" Michael came up to where I was putting my shoes on.

"I don't really know, Peyton said she saw my mother passed out on her bed with a needle nearby, but I can't see my mom doing drugs...The nanny called the police, I don't know anything about her condition. I'm going to get my sisters to come stay here for a little." I said, referring to the apartment I had just started renting.

Though my mother got out of the hospital within a few days, my sisters were with me for the next month. Watching their mother almost kill herself at such a young age had traumatized them.

Super short ik ik