Human Nature

Chapter 17

March 25th, 1991

Mariah had a long day. She had been at the recording studio since 5 that morning and had spent the rest of the day shopping with Brenda and her high school friend Patricia, also known as Patsy. They were preparing for Mariah's 21st birthday and Mariah was looking forward to a night out with the girls, but she missed Michael. He promised he would fly in tomorrow, but she hadn't spoken to him in a couple of days. She had missed a few calls because she was in the studio and when she called back he missed her calls. It was the most infuriating game of phone tag she had ever played. She took her bags into her room and went to check her answering machine.

Brenda grabbed her arm. "No time for that, the Academy Awards are about to come on."

"I need to check my messages." Mariah protested.

Brenda rolled her eyes. "You know it's just Alison asking for money and after that mess she pulled last month...girl."

Mariah sighed. "I haven't been taking her calls."

Patsy had a bowl of popcorn as she waited for them to get on the couch. She turned on the TV  as various movie stars were getting out of their cars for the award show. 

She sighed dreamily. "Can you imagine being surrounded by all those-"

"Yeah, we can." Brenda giggled.

Patsy threw a pillow at her. "Whatever, why couldn't I be gifted with a voice too?"

Mariah was about to answer when her jaw dropped at the screen. Patsy glanced back over her shoulder to the TV and looked at Mariah.

"Is that Michael and Madonna?" Brenda exclaimed.

Mariah felt herself shaking and hyperventilating so she went into her room and slammed the door. She leaned against it before sinking to the floor.

Is he serious? Is he really serious? Two days before my birthday and he's out prancing with the Material Girl herself on his arm.  What the Hell Michael? I guess 'I love you' doesn't mean anything to a Jackson. What did I do to deserve this? Why? Tommy warned me this was going to happen, why didn't I listen? God, I'm such an idiot.

She didn't feel the tears and make up running down her face as she got up and took a framed picture of them and threw it at the wall.

"Mariah, are you okay?" Brenda asked.

"Let us in Mirage." Patsy added, using Mariah's old high school nickname.

Mariah took a deep breath and opened the door. They both hugged her and she sobbed even harder.

"How could he? Why would he do that?" 

Brenda stroked her hair. "Maybe there's an explanation."

"Yeah, maybe they went as friends." Patsy added.

Mariah shook her head. "Did you see her? Her boobs popping all out of her dress and I bet you she's easy. He's a man, Brenda."

Brenda and Patsy exchanged a glance. Mariah shook them off and laid face down on her bed.

"I hate him. If I see him again, I'm going to kill him. He's publicly humiliated me."She wailed.

Brenda joined her and rubbed circles on her back. "It'll be alright."

"Why didn't I listen to Tommy, he told me I was wasting my time." 

Brenda let out a sigh. "Tommy is a creep. I wouldn't listen to him about anything in my personal life, besides how would he know about your relationship."