Mr. TWELVE Stories

- Push 1-

Sitting stage left on a wooden fold out chair, a diet coke in your hand to stave off the heat of the day you cannot remember the last time you felt this happy and at peace with yourself.

You are watching your new boyfriend at one with himself and in his element, entertaining nearly a hundred thousand of his loyal, adoring fans.
In the early evening sunshine he looks ethereal, almost god-like, as he strides long leggedly across the stage. His entranced audience is totally under his control and in his power.

Rays of light are reflecting from the big silver belt which is on his right shoulder to waist and studs on his stage outfit and bouncing back towards the heaving, swaying masses below, they are screaming his name, many of them crying freely as they sing and chant along with the music that is crashing heavily into their ears-he likes to have it loud.

Loud enough so even those right at the back of the packed arena can feel the bass penetrating their bodies. Thousands of cigarette lighters are held aloft in the chaotic, but beautiful display of love for the man singing and dancing his heart out for them.
Men and women, black and white, old and young, he has them all enthralled-spellbound by his talent and his magical ability to make each and every one of them feel like he is singing directly to them alone.

The front rows pressed into the crash barrier look like they should be extremely uncomfortable, all tightly squashed together like they are, but they seem to be the happiest of all, for them, turning up outside the stadium the night before the concert was worth it.

Waiting in line for an entire day was worth it.

The scratches and bruises they will wear tomorrow are like proud badges of office. They got so close to him.

To Michael.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind with him, moving from city to city and country to country as the Dangerous Tour steam train rolls out across the world like an unstoppable force. Touching lives and hearts for the better wherever it goes.

You no longer work as a runner, Michael thinks it's unfair to have you running around after him and his crew when you have become so much more than employer and employee.
At first you protested, you really did enjoy it but he has persuaded you that if you are not constantly scampering around doing errands for people you can spend more time together.

His free time is precious to him; there is always something to do and somewhere to be when you are the most famous person on the planet-be it a photo shoot, meeting important dignitaries of the countries you travel to, visiting hospitals and orphanages with gifts and words of encouragement and love, or rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing. He is a perfectionist after all.

He wants to spend the free time he has with you and with you alone. He is crazy about you and never lets a moment where he can show it, pass.

His latest gift to you-an understated but beautiful diamond tennis bracelet, glints in the sunshine, he presented it to you the previous evening as you lay together in the big soft bed in his luxurious hotel suite.

Sleepy and happy after your latest bout of lovemaking, you were overcome when he wrapped it around your wrist and whispered into your ear "I love you so much, wear it always, and think of me."