Human Nature

Chapter 53

June 3rd, 1993

Michael came down stairs knowing Janet and Marlon were already in the living room. Mariah had finally gone to sleep and he didn't want to disturb her. 

"Hey bro," Marlon gave him a dab.

Janet hugged him. "How is she?"

Michael frowned. "She finally fell asleep an hour ago, but she's devastated."

"And how are you doing?" Marlon asked.

Michael shrugged. "It's not about me, Mariah's the one going through this."

"You suffered just as much of a loss as she did. Don't forget to grieve, Mike." Janet warned.

Michael ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't think it's really hit me yet. I was just in the nursery looking around, I still can't believe it."

"Are you two going to that Jimmy Carter event in Atlanta?" Janet asked.

Michael shrugged. "I'm not sure anymore. I'll have to check with Mariah and see if she's up for it."

Janet nodded. "It might be good for both of you, you know? Getting out of the house and doing something to take your mind off and like you said, it's for a good cause."

"Yeah, you might be right about that. That's next week so I'll ask her in a couple of days. When are you leaving for New York?" He asked.

Janet had recently released her album, janet., and was in the middle of promoting the album and her new single, That's the Way Love Goes.

Janet shrugged. "I'll be leaving in two days and I might not be back before your tour starts. You're leaving August 19th, right?" 

Michael nodded and turned to Marlon. "So you and Carol are serious about moving to Atlanta?"

"Yeah, we should be down there by the end of the year, gonna start up this real estate company." Marlon took a sip from his water. 

Michael laughed. "Damn, Marlon. Who I supposed to call over here if you're in Atlanta?"

"Jermaine." Marlon chortled, inciting laughter from Michael and Janet.

Janet shook her head. "Speaking of Jermaine, I talked to Mother yesterday."

"Yeah? What she say?" Marlon raised an eyebrow.

Janet looked between Michael and Marlon. "Margaret's leaving Jermaine."

"You're kidding." Michael exclaimed.

Janet shook her head. "She's trying to gather her coins and leave, Mother said she hadn't said anything yet, but she noticed that she's acting different."

Michael shook his head. "That's cold. You guys, I miss Toya."

"Who?" Janet rolled her eyes.

Marlon frowned. "Don't be like that, Dunk. I heard she was overseas doing some show."

"Oh really? That's good, I guess. I don't like her husband though, keeping her away from us." Michael frowned.

Marlon sighed. "I hope he's not hurting her. I had heard they saw her out with black eyes or something, but you know how rumors are. I don't know what to believe."

Janet sighed. "Funny how we go from one sad topic to another."

"I mean, it's a pretty sad time." Michael pointed out. "We'll all get through it though."

June 7th, 1993

Mariah was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping her tea. She hadn't spoken much to Michael, or anyone for that matter. She spent her days sobbing alone in the bedroom with Michael providing himself as a source of strength for her. She spent many hours in his arms, silently crying into his chest. He never seemed to begrudge her for it, but she felt that she was starting to annoy him. Today, she decided to try and get herself back to normal and write a song so that she could put the situation behind her.