Human Nature

Chapter 28

February 25th, 1992

Mariah was sitting in her dressing room staring at the vanity, practicing her happy face.

Fake it until you make it, right?

She hadn't spoken to Michael since they fought; she'd yelled at him until she was on the verge of tears for the past few days and she didn't think she was getting anywhere with him. He seemed disinterested in her as a whole, like he didn't want to fix it with her. It was almost like they were waiting to see who would walk away first. 

It's not fair. I already have to come after his family, his career, charity, his fans, the music, and now Diana Ross. I've never been a priority.

"Knock, knock."

She didn't respond as Tommy walked in and took the chair beside her, where Michael had been sitting a year ago.

"Is he coming tonight?" Tommy asked.

She shrugged. "He hasn't said he wouldn't, but he won't talk to me so I guess that doesn't mean anything, now does it?"

"You know what I'm going to say." Tommy said.

She gently dabbed at her eye. "I know, but I just don't understand why he would do that. How can you profess your love for someone and then go out in public and tell the world how much he loves Diana? She's married, so obviously she doesn't feel the same way about him."

"Don't cry too much, I need you to at least look happy."

Mariah wasn't in the mood for Tommy's business side, she needed her friend.

"I love him and he just doesn't care at all. He doesn't even try to make me a priority. Yeah, we moved in together, but I still feel like we don't spend enough time together because he's always gone." She shook her head. "No explanation, just gone. Then he calls me childish because I want to talk to somebody for advice. I can't talk to him."

"Well, you have to be able to talk to him if you want a marriage. Trust me, lack of communication kills relationships quicker than cheating does." Tommy shrugged. "I told you before, you're wasting your time. You're never going to be his priority and you need to be with someone who sees you that way. "

Mariah sighed. "You know he told me he was done? He didn't say exactly what he was done with, but he's still sleeping on my couch."

"Then kick him out and make him stay at a hotel." Tommy said.

He was acting as if it were the simplest thing in the world, and maybe it was. Just not for her.

There was a knock at the door and Michael walked in. "Are you ready?"

She hugged Tommy and walked out of the door, not sparing him a glance. She couldn't look at him, it was too painful for her  with everything that was going on.

February 25th, 1992

Michael really didn't want to be anywhere near the Grammys with everything in his head. He was tired of arguing with Mariah and he knew he wasn't getting anywhere with it. She only wanted to talk to one person and it was Tommy. Late night phone calls, going to his office, anyway she could and he was sick of it. 

He was sitting in the audience as Mariah walked on stage, and he could tell she had changed songs. She had told him a few weeks ago she was going to sing Emotions, but he could hear the open chords to another song.

She sang with a purpose. That's how he had to describe it. She was singing directly to him, staring him down from the stage, occasionally pointing at him and everyone in the room knew it. Her smile was laced with venom and her lyrics were a cold reminder of where they stood.

He clenched his jaw in irritation. 

Funny how she was so against Jermaine for the same reason.

She wanted to embarrass him, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. He clapped when she finished and gave a small smile. He wanted to look as proud as possible, which wasn't hard considering that she had given a beautiful performance. 

She sat down in her seat, looking forward.

"Nice performance." He whispered.

She kept her eyes ahead. "Don't start, not here."

"I'm trying to give you a compliment." He said.

"Thank you."

They spent the next two and a half hours in their seats as Mariah lost both Best Pop Vocal Performance-Female and Producer of the Year. He awkwardly patted her hand, not knowing whether or not she wanted him to comfort her. She pulled her hand away.

Oh, boy another silent limo ride.

Michael remembered how a year ago they were in the back seat joking around about the awards. They were happy then and part of him wanted it back.

He knew he had said things out of anger, but so had she. There was no right or wrong on either side but he wasn't going to beg forgiveness for dedicating his song to Diana. Mariah hadn't apologized for her late night conversations with Tommy, nor had she stopped. He didn't think it mattered, it wasn't like he and Diana were in constant contact like her and Tommy.

He needed a break from Mariah and their relationship. He wasn't getting any sleep and the temptation to listen in on one of her conversations with Tommy was growing. He decided he would just go to Neverland and have Mariah join him at a later date.

February 26th, 1992

Mariah could hear shuffling in the living room, but she figured Michael was making breakfast until he came into her room. 

"I'm leaving, see you sometime next month." He announced.

She raised an eyebrow and wondered if she should dignify him with a response. He didn't really give her chance to process what he said . He backed out of the room and she heard the front door close. She managed to get to the window in time him get in a taxi towards the airport. 

Next month?

She went into the living room and noticed that he had taken his key to the penthouse with him, so he wasn't walking out on her completely. Maybe they needed some time apart to think about what they wanted. The tension had been getting unbearable over the past few days and she felt better now that he was gone.