I'm Going Back To Indiana (MJ Fanfic)

Have This Wish

"Dee, it keeps disappearing​!" Shan held the paper in her firm grip, looking down at it mournfully.

Now almost half of the picture was gone, replaced by the blue hue of the background.

"Still?" Dee racked her brain. "What could possibly be happening over there?"

"I haven't heard any yelling lately..." Shan thought.

Within the last few days the picture had started to disappear slowly but surely yet again. This had put Dee and Shan into high-alter panic mode, and the inside of their small rental home had been filled with a thick tension in the air. It was hard to focus on

"That's it." Dee crossed her arms. "We need to get to the bottom of this, and figure out what to do."

Later that day they made a batch of cookies and walked over to the Jackson residence. Dee knocked three times and they waited until Katherine opened the door.

"Oh, girls! This is a nice surprise. Well come in!" She waved.

They wiped off their shoes and followed her to the kitchen. The kids were running around in the living room and laughter filled the house, though none of it was from Michael.

Shan and Dee shared a look, recognizing the same thing.

"It's so good to see you two again. How's Gary treating ya?"

"As good as it can." Dee laughed, taking a seat at the table.

Shan followed suit. "We like it here."

"Thinking about a permanent residence?" She went to the oven, mixing something in a pot.

Shan and Dee looked at each other, knowing they wouldn't be here forever. Once the deed was done they knew they'd be sent back some how.

"We don't think we're going to stay." Shan said quietly.

Katherine turned around with a knowing smile, "Does anyone stay in Gary?" She asked retoricly​. "Not if they have another choice." She chuckled.

"You guys aren't staying here for much longer?" Dee asked, taking the cup of coffee Katherine offered.

"Not if Joseph gets his way." She shook her head. "In that man's mind we'll be living in some big 'ol mansion in Los Angeles in a year's time." She chuckled.

The girls stayed quiet, down casting their eyes as they sipped out of their cups.

Katherine gave them an odd look before shrugging it off. "Anyways, by the way he's working our boys we just might."

"You don't sound too excited by that." Shan spoke up.

Katherine wiped her hands with a dish towel, looking off into the distance. "Joe... Joe's got plans for our boys. Always had some grand ordeal - even before he knew of Michael's talents. That's just what turned his ambition from a flicker to a flame. But me, I just wanted them to be grow up to be good people. Help others. Make good choices. Simple things." She blinked, looking back down at them. "We've always had the same goal in mind, but different ways of doing it." She smiled softly. "I've always been content with the small town life. But Joseph has always wanted more. Even since I met him."

"Well they sound good from what we've been hearing. They sound amazing actually. They could turn into a big success." Dee said matter-a-factly.

"Even if something did come from this singing thing, I just hope they're happy. That's all I've ever wanted for my children. Too much work can put a strain anybody, especially children." She sighed, taking a seat across from them. "And Michael's in they eye of it."

"Where is Michael?" Dee asked, as a few of his brothers ran through the kitchen laughing.

"In his bedroom." Her fingers tapped against he coffee cup. "He's been spending a lot of time alone lately. It's not like him."

Dee and Shan exchanged a knowing look.

"You think something's wrong?" Dee cleared her throat.

She looked over, giving then an exhausted smile. "I may have six boys, but I pay attention." She laughed softly.

"What do you thinks the matter?" Shan bit her lip.

"He's been acting... different." She shook her head. "He's smiling less, doesn't talk as often, he barely eats. It's like he's losing his spark. His charisma for life." She looked at them sadly. "I know it sounds silly, considering he's only 6, but Michael's our child who was born middle age. He's so wise beyond his years, but lately he seems so off."

"We can talk to him." Dee offered.

"Do you think that'll help?" She asked hopefully.

"Dee's studying childhood development." Shan spoke up.

Katherine smiled, the cloud over her head quickly dispersing. "So you think you can help him?"

"I promise that we'll do everything we can to make sure Michael's himself again." Dee smiled. She then looked around before leaning towards Katherine. "Between you and me, I think he needs a friend."

She sighed. "Don't I know it. He has his brothers but -"

"It's not the same." Dee and Katherine said in sync.

"It's really not." Katherine shook her head. "But if you two would like to spend time with him..."

"That wouldn't be a problem at all." Shan grinned.

"It wouldn't cut into your studies?"

"Definitely not." Dee shook her head.

"Well, then I guess it's settled." Katherine said as she took the girls coffee mugs and refilled them.