Human Nature

Chapter 20

September 3rd, 1991

Michael was pacing his room. He hadn't gotten much sleep last night, his argument with Mariah was still heavy in his mind. He had calmed down last night, but he wasn't sure about her. She hadn't come out of her room all morning and he was trying his hardest to not go and check on her. He had to admit he was being a bit childish about the whole thing, it was his fault. He just didn't know if would get Mariah to speak to him any time soon. 

He went downstairs and put Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life album in the record player before going to start breakfast. He opened the cabinet, frowning when none of the options appealed to him, opting for a granola bar and danced around the kitchen. He decided to let Mariah sleep in, no sense of having her more mad at him when he was trying to apologize to her.

But what do I say?

He started thinking out loud. "Mariah, I screwed up. I should've been more upfront...upfront? Is that the right word. No, no, no. Mariah, I love you and I don't want to lose you. I should've called and you have every right to be mad..that's weak. Mariah, I...what do I say? Mariah, you have every right-"

"Apology accepted."

He jumped and turned to see Mariah leaning against the door frame. "Did I scare you?"

Michael chuckled. "No, I just didn't hear you come down."

"I suppose you wouldn't. You've got the record player going at nine in the morning." She strolled into the kitchen and grabbed a box of cereal.

Michael felt awkward. She may have said he was forgiven, but her demeanor remained cool so he walked out of the kitchen and went back to the living room to listen to Stevie Wonder. He wouldn't be going to the studio until noon so he still had a few hours to himself.

September 3rd, 1991

Mariah shook the fruit loops into her bowl and poured skim milk over them. She was eating at the kitchen island so that she could clearly see Michael sitting in his chair in the living room. She had no idea why she told him she forgave him, maybe because she felt bad for him when she saw him a stuttering mess by himself in the kitchen, but she knew she was still stung. 

"What time are you going to the studio?" She asked.

He looked up from the book he was reading. "I'll be leaving at noon and I won't be back until late."

"I figured as much." She nodded, focusing on her cereal.

She could hear Michael moving in the living room and looked up when he joined her at the island. She ignored him and continued to eat her cereal.

"I know you're still mad and that's fine, you're completely justified-"

She stopped listening, as the tears started forming in her eyes. His eyes dropped and he put his hand over hers. Part of her wanted to pull away, but she looked at while the tears streamed down her face. He wiped them away.

"Mariah, tell me what you want me to do." He whispered.

Mariah closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "Why?"

"I was being inconsiderate, I get that now. I should've called you, especially on our anniversary." He conceded.

Mariah nodded slowly. "Is this how things are going to be when you're on tour? If this is how it's going to be I don't think we're going to survive."

She noticed his hesitation. 

"Tell me now."

He gripped her hand. "Mariah, I'm sorry. I'll do better, this isn't how things are going to be."