Stick and stones killed my bones.

The night it all changed

Michael was at home with the rest of his siblings and his mother waiting for Joseph to return. Michael has been off at rehearsal lately and has felt tired from the beatings for being sloppy, it's a crime to be sloppy. 

Mother was doing housework, while his brothers were in the backyard playing and his sisters in their brothers room hanging out. Michael was afraid all the time, the rest of his family could see it. Whenever Joe would walk in, Michael ran to the bathroom and starting throwing up. He sometimes even fainted in there too.

He's hoping tonight would be easier, hoping it would be different. 

The door bursts open and so does Joe. Michael begins to feel nauseous, while Katherine greets him.

"Hello honey." Joe says.

"Hello Joe, how was the the meeting with Keith?" 

"Interesting. It was interesting to know that my son, HAS REFUSED TO RECORD FOR A WEEK!!" Joseph boomed. 

Katherine was about to say something Joseph turned to Michael and Katherine feared for her son and prayed for the worst not to happen. 

Michael stood in fear, his legs trembling and his face about to burst in tears.

"Why did you tell him that?" Joseph said sternly. 

Michael didn't answer. 

"TELL ME BOY NOW!" Michael still couldn't answer, he tried to say something but all that could come out was a cracked sob.

Joseph grabbed his belt and began whipping him hard on the back. Michael screaming in pain and trying to scramble away but his dad only beat him harder. 

Katherine tried to intervene but almost got hit herself.

Michael threw a vase at him but it missed and Joseph slapped him right across the face, sending Michael to the ground.

After minutes of pain, Michael looked as if he were about to pass out and stopped fighting feeling too weak to move.

"Stop it! Enough Joe, you'll kill him!" Katherine shouted.

Michael let out a cry and passed out.

"Michael!!" Katherine cried as she pushed Joe off him and ran to her sons aid. The sisters heard the commotion and ran downstairs as so did the brothers from the backyard. All of them saw in horror at Michael and their dad. 

Latoya and Janet began to cry and Jermaine kneeled down beside Michael and saw the slashes from his father.

"Oh my god. Dad how could you!" Said Tito and Rebbie. 

Joseph was speechless, he ran upstairs into the boys room and slammed the door shut.

Michael's pulse was very slow and almost gone. Katherine picked him up, ran out of the house, put him in the car, and drove him to the hospital.

Jermaine, and Janet went with Katherine, while the other siblings went to the hospital on the transit to make it easier for Katherine and to be safe from Joseph.

12 hours later

Michael P.O.V

My eyes open barely a blur with dizziness and my throat hurts too much too talk. The blurriness fades away and i begin to notice my surroundings. There is something hooked to my arm. Am i in a hospital?

I feel so sleepy but awake at the same time. I hear someone shouting "he's awake" near me. Probably some sort of nurse i guess. My back hurts so bad, i can't even move. I honestly thought i was dead. Wouldn't be surprised if i stayed that way.

I see someone enter the room, i recognize quickly when i realize its my mother with Latoya, Janet, and Rebbie. All the ladies in my life. 

"Oh Michael. I'm so sorry. I should have intervened, he almost killed you." Katherine says while crying.

"Were so glad your going to be okay." Latoya and Janet say.

"I hope so too. Mom please don't cry it wasn't your fault." I say.

My mother smiles at me kissing my forehead.

"Where are the brothers?" I ask.

"They're outside in the waiting room." Latoya said.

"Can i see them?"

"Of course." Katherine says.

The girls leave and the brothers come in.

"Michael, are you ok? We thought we lost you." Jermaine said.

"I think so. I'm alive right?"

"Thank god you are. We love you so much Michael." Tito said.

All my brothers hug me. hug me. I've never been hugged by them like this before. Would now be a good time to ask about dad?

"I love you guys too. Where's Joseph?"

They're smiled went away and stood in silence. Jackie spoke up.

"He's still at home. Ashamed. He should be fucking ashamed."

"Guys calm down. It was an accident." 

"No it wasn't. Mom yelled at him to stop, he didn't stop. He knew what he was doing. Apparently death doesn't matter to him."

"Guys please don't start another fight. It happened. It's okay."

"NO ITS NOT OK, HE'S A MURDERER, HE WAS GOING TO KILL YOU. I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM!" Jermaine shouted as he stormed out of the room.

I'm shocked, I've never seen Jermaine act like that before. I can't believe them.

It's been days now, and i still in this bed. The nurse comes in and tells me i will finally be released.

My mom and Janet take me home in the car since my other siblings have gone home. 

The ride is peaceful, but even that i can't stop thinking about what's happened how does my dad feel? How will he react to my return? I certain it won't be violent but i don't think i can stand the hate and awkwardness. God help us.

I arrive back at the house. I walk in the front door, to see my brothers waiting for me and my father no where to be found. I sigh in relief and slouch on the couch. My sisters are talking with my mother in the other room and i honestly have never felt more awkward in my life. 

"So Michael are you feeling better?" Tito asks.

"Yes. Thank you."

"Good. What do you wanna do?" Tito says.

"Guys, where's dad?"

Silence fills the room as Jermaine rolls his eyes, Jackie gives the wall a dirty look, and Tito just stays quiet. Finally Tito spoke.

"He's working. When you were still at the hospital, him and mom had a huge fight. He didn't become violent he just went to the bathroom and cried silently for hours." 

My dad crying? That is a surprise. I've never knew him that well but I've always known how tough he is. Him crying seems so surreal to me. 

"Oh." I say.

"We'll let you have some time to think." Jermaine said.

They all leave the room expressionless and i'm alone in the living room. Constantly thinking about the incident.

When Joseph comes home, i don't wanna be here. I honestly can't bear to see the look on his face. I can't face him right now, not yet. For now i'm still here, waiting for my fate with my father crumble to the ground.