Slipping Away

Chapter 33

December 6th, 1995

Everything seemed like it was moving in slow motion. They were stuck in traffic on their way to the hospital. Mariah was sitting next to her, wearing sunglasses that nearly covered her entire face and one of Janet's coats. She seemed just as pensive. Janet had almost asked her to stay home, but Mariah had seemed so insistent on coming she let her. Bill hadn't been really specific over what was wrong with Michael, but she was praying for the best. Michael couldn't die.

"Mimi?"

Mariah looked up. "Yeah?"

"Do you think he's okay?"

Mariah nodded. "Michael's strong, he'll make it."

Janet nodded, but she could tell that Mariah was just as nervous as she was, if not more. Once they reached the hospital, Janet got out of the car, barely noticing Michael's fans outside and all but ran to the receptionist's desk with Mariah close behind.

"I need to go to Michael Jackson's room." Janet said, eyeing the nurse.

The nurse looked like she was going to scream. "You're Janet Jackson." She gasped again when she spotted Mariah. "and Mariah Carey? Can I have your autographs?"

Janet sighed and took the pen, quickly scribbling her name and Mariah followed suit. She just wanted to see her brother. 

"Can you please tell me where my brother is?" Janet asked again.

She nodded. "He's in Room 345."

Janet nodded and went to the elevator to go to the third floor. She took a deep breath and gripped Mariah's hand for support. Michael could be an idiot sometimes, but he was still her brother. 

They walked off the elevator and she could see one of Michael's bodyguards sizing up the doctor. The doctor, for his part, seemed unimpressed.

"Your boss is dying in there, and I am going in there to save his life. You can be the one who has to say you wouldn't let me in." He quipped.

The bodyguard, obviously recently hired, stepped aside to let the doctor in. Janet and Mariah walked towards the door and slipped inside. Lisa Marie had beat them there, but Janet noted that she didn't seem very sympathetic to Michael, who was unconscious.

Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Is that the abandoner?"

December 6th, 1995

Mariah stiffened at Lisa Marie's snide remark, opting to watch was the doctor was doing to Michael. He was hooked up to different machines, one she assumed was tracking his heart rate, and an IV. It was scary to see him like that and she stood behind Janet, who seemed frozen. 

The doctor checked a few things, and turned to leave before Janet stopped him. "Thank you for taking care of my brother."

The doctor smiled. "It's my job. He'll be okay."

They watched the doctor away and looked back at Michael, who remained unconscious.

Janet blew out a deep breath and Mariah smiled. "He's going to be okay, Jan."

"Girl, I was scared for him." Janet shook her head. "I wonder when he'll wake up."

"I hope it's soon." Mariah murmured.

The door opened and Bill walked in. He raised an eyebrow at Mariah, but he didn't say anything instead turning to Janet.

"Bill what happened?" She asked.

Bill shook his head. "He was rehearsing and then he just dropped. I have no idea what happened to him."

The door opened again and Katherine hobbled in, pausing to look at Mariah before taking a seat on the other side of Janet. Mariah was starting to feel uncomfortable with everyone looking at her weird, not that she could blame them. She had abandoned Michael at his most vulnerable two years ago, only to inexplicably return.