1987
MICHAEL
11/1986
Baby,
Even within the privacy of this jet, I can still feel your skin against mine. Last night meant more to me than you'll ever understand. Your presence has been carved into my soul, now and forever. Sweetheart, I love you so much.
-Mike
Once she looked at me, I froze. Never had I seen anyone so gorgeous. And yet, we crossed paths four years ago. She flashed the prettiest smile again, melting my very presence. Those short curls dropped around her eyes as always, but somehow made me feel undeserving. This angel could have had any other man in the world, but she chose me.
Thank you, Jesus.
We'd come right back to our favorite restaurant viewing the Los Angeles skyline once more. No other customers would interrupt as planned. I prayed that Tatana wouldn't bother this time. Soft music played around us.
"Thanks, babe." Brenda spoke up, toasting with me now. Our glasses clanked before long and I took a swig of Crown that she ordered just for me.
"You're welcome, but I've owed you for a while now." I smiled.
"Damn right." she chuckled drinking again. We shared soft laughter just taking in the romantic scenery around us.
"When can I come to visit you at the studio?" I asked.
"I don't know. When are you not busy?" Brenda cut into her meal for a second.
I rolled my eyes and unhappily shrugged. "It really depends."
"Dammit." Baby Girl cursed under her breath.
__
An hour passed and no one disturbed. For one night, we ignored tasks of our careers. I'd never felt so thankful to have someone this special in my life, as cliché as it seemed. She'd kept me in stitches or simply made me blush with compliments throughout the evening. She would giggle each time I reached out for her hand, smoothing her knuckle as always.
Our drinks had been empty for a while and yet I couldn't find the nerve to deal with lust inside of me. I could only stare into those brown eyes, kissing her gently among our peace. My voice whispered to this angel again as she smiled bashfully.
"I love you."
"I love you, too." she said.
Once again, I blushed, unworthy. "Don't make me cry at the table. You're so sweet."
Our lips mine once more. I could actually feel my own tears drop against her face. Through silence, she understood, but stopped to rise from the table. I smiled yet again. once Stevie crooned from the stereo nearby.
We danced slowly, taking in the company of each other given future circumstances. Once again, I'd fear the sensation of loneliness in different countries months from now. Only hearing that sweet voice during phone calls wouldn't be enough.
Here we are.
On Earth together.
It's you and I...
"Did you pick out our wedding song already?" Brenda smiled against my lips. Only dimness of that skyline captured the space around us.
"Maybe." I kissed her.
__
I woke up the next day alone. There was only silence while I turned in bed. Sunlight hardly blinded me through that early morning. Just when I started to panic honestly, rumple paper on the pillow beside me caught my attention. After a few moments, I sat up against the headboard and began to read. A tired but glad smile crept onto my face.
Michael,
Don't panic. I'm just working at the studio today and didn't want to wake you up. You just looked so peaceful and we both know how difficult it is for you to sleep on a regular basis. I love you so much.
-B
I leaned back onto the pillow just sighing. How in the world did I gain someone so kind? Again, there were days when I questioned how we even met in the first place. Did God just tell me she'd be around from that moment on? To this day, I can't tell if it had been fate or what.
A closed lipped smile reached my face before long as I moved to hold a framed picture of us. Birds chirped outside the window while time dragged on quietly.
I blushed remembering this one day at Mother's house. In that picture, we embraced lovingly right next to the water fountain. I smiled nose to nose with Brenda just before a kiss. Mother stood proudly watching us not too far away.
**
TATIANA
I couldn't understand. No matter how many times I persisted with Michael, he never budged. Even her slick voiced friend Audrey didn't change my mind. There was no way in hell a man could be that conditioned by sex. Every other story I'd read about Brenda related to another man. El Debarge and Prince were the most current escorts from what I remember.
Even Brenda's singing career mirrored Vanity or others like her. Most of the records I'd heard contained some basic R&B music. Despite my lack of musical experience, talent had been no joke. In my mind, she possessed nothing extraordinary out of that average vocalist tale. Unless someone presented different recommendations, I'd never be convinced that'd Brenda Michelle would succeed in performing.
"Frank? Could I please speak with Michael?" I asked, finally relaxing after a long day of work on different projects. I sat on the edge of my bed mumbling into the phone.
"Sorry, but Michael's not available. Are you interested in working with him again or something?"
"I didn't plan on calling for that, but would you happen to have his direct line? I really need to speak with him, Frank. Please?"
"Even if I did, I wouldn't give something like that out. It's personal. You're not family, or a friend, or..."
"Or Brenda?!" I shouted through approaching tears. "Why do you all insist on defending that whore? Don't you see it what problems she's brought out for herself?"
"Look, Brenda is legitimate. She's almost never complained about Michael's career and has a mind of her own. It's honestly refreshing, Tatiana. Why don't you understand that?" Frank tried to reason with me on the other line now.
"Haven't you read the news?"
"It's all trash." Frank said. "I can't go into full details, but it's all garbage and she's been ridiculed for no good reason. That's all you should know."
'But Frank." I tried again.
"No, either request another opportunity with Michael face to face or this conversation is over." I couldn't even say another word. Frank hung up without saying goodbye.
