Slipping Away

Chapter 31

August 31st, 1995

Camille waved goodbye to Michael as she walked out to her car. He had spent ten days with her in his bed and he had to admit there was only one woman that could top the sex she had given. He had discovered that Camille was a dancer and contortionist and she used those skills well in the bedroom. He watched her swaying figure and was tempted to call her back for one last round, but he had already done it three times that day. Camille had to go.

He changed his clothes, he was planning on going out to a casino with his brothers that night and probably find a new woman to take home with him.

Jermaine pulled up to the casino and raised an eyebrow at Michael. "So you're really doing this?"

Michael nodded. "Yeah, there's NDAs for a reason."

"Alright, let's go." Jermaine and Michael got out of the car and headed inside. Michael was wearing a disguise so Bill stayed at home. Jermaine went off to play at the card table while Michael headed over to the bar.

He looked around and spotted a young woman sitting by herself in a booth. He walked over and smiled at her.

"What are you doing sitting all by yourself?"

She looked up at with wide brown eyes and shrugged. "My friends are on the floor, I've had a rough night. What are you doing alone?"

He sat down beside her. There was something in her demeanor that told him that she was sad so he decided to talk to her and see if he could cheer her up.

"Well, I'm in an argument with my wife, but what's bothering you?"

The woman sighed. "Well, I've been dating this guy for three years and he proposed to me. He just broke off the engagement because he says that 'he isn't ready for that right now'"

"There's another woman." Michael surmised. "How old are you two if you don't mind me asking."

"I'm twenty one and he's twenty three." She explained.

Michael frowned. "That's a little young to be getting married, don't you think?"

"I loved him so I said yes. I wasn't even thinking about age, why would that even matter?" She asked. 

Michael nodded. "I understand what you're saying. You actually remind me of one of my ex-fiances-"

"One of your ex-fiances? How many times have you been engaged?" She giggled.

He blushed. "A few times, but the one I'm talking about was twenty when I met her. I guess age doesn't matter when you're in love, but he clearly doesn't know what he wants."

"Yeah, that's what one of my friends was saying. To just let it go and move on with my life, but I don't know how."

"You have to let time heal you and when the time is right, the right person will come along." 

She smiled. "You're a nice man, my name is Erikah by the way."

He shook her hand. "Michael."

"That's really ironic, has anyone ever told you that you kinda sound like Michael Jackson?" Erikah asked.

Michael shook his head. "That's the first time I'm hearing this."

"Well just a little, your voice is deeper." Erikah said.

Michael chuckled, grateful for the higher pitched voice he used in interviews. 

"So what's going on with you and your wife?"