Slipping Away

Chapter 13

November 17th, 1993

"So, he's a druggie?"

After the show in Illinois, Mariah was back in her hotel having a drink with Tommy and discussing Michael. Tommy had been showing an unusual level of interest in their relationship since it was public knowledge that Michael was in rehab, but no one except his inner circle knew where.

Mariah glared at Tommy. "Don't you dare-"

"I'm just stating the obvious." He shrugged. "He's unstable and you don't need that in your life."

Mariah sighed. "He's in rehab, he's doing the right thing."

"Alison was in rehab too. 'Doing the right thing' and we all know how that turned out." Tommy pointed out.

"So what do you suggest? That I leave him when he needs me?" Mariah spat.

Tommy folded his arms over his chest. "If you want to keep your sanity, yes. You're letting your love for him blind you. He's an addict and they all function the same."

Mariah paused. "Michael wouldn't-"

"How would you know? He wasn't taking drugs when you met him and now he is. He's not that same person anymore." Tommy said putting a hand on her shoulder. "Mariah, you know I've always looked out for you."

"I know, Tommy." She said. "But I love him."

"Just because you love him doesn't mean you need to be with him and with the dysfunctional relationship you two have, it might be better for him if you two aren't together." Tommy added.

Mariah shook her head. "No, I want to be there for him."

Tommy frowned. "You want to be there for him. You're thinking of yourself and not thinking of him, besides Mariah you've been through enough in your life. Why add something else?"

"Since when do you care about Michael?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Last time I checked-"

"I never disliked Michael, I was just defending you." Tommy explained. "Right now I'm trying to help you see what's best for Michael."

Mariah nodded slowly. "So you think we should break up so he can heal?"

"Exactly. He needs to focus on himself and being healthy, not a relationship." Tommy said.

Mariah felt sick to her stomach at the thought of not being with Michael. "I guess you might be right about that, but-"

Tommy shook his head. "Mariah, you need to be responsible and end it. He's not going to do and the last thing you want to do is become a crutch because then you'll be trapped. That's not healthy."

"It's not, but..." She searched for the words. "What if being with me helps him get better?"

"Then you leave and he gets worse. Do you want that on your conscious? You're not responsible for a grown man."

Mariah sighed. "What's the right answer?"

"You need to break it off and better to do it now while he's around people who can help him, rather than later when he can't or won't."

"I guess you're right."

November 18th, 1993

Michael dialed the number for Neverland, hoping that Mariah had made it back. He hadn't spoken to her since he had been in the facility. Dr. Clark had suggested that he distance himself from Mariah while he was recovering once he told her he had been dependent on Mariah's company. She told him it wasn't healthy and if he wanted to truly heal he'd need to do it on his own.