Behind The Mask

Chapter 66

Michael's POV

The bath and having a few bites to eat did me good. I decided that mother was fully right, I was a nervous wreck, I was exhausted and I was no help to Nooki. So I laid down in bed – the first time I actually laid down here since I found her...I must have dozed off, because I was suddenly awoken by my phone ringing. It must be mother! There's something going on with Nooki!

I frantically search for my phone, only to find it still in my jeans pocket. Looking at the caller ID, I realize it's Janet.

"Hi, Janet, what is the matter?"

She was sobbing piteously at the end of the line.

"I...I ...I lied to you, Michael! I mean...I didn't mean to lie to you....But...but I just realized..."

"Hold on, Janet! Please stop crying, alright? What is wrong? Please, I already worry so much about Anouk...don't get me all twisted up. What happened?"

"Michael, I've been back from my tour over two months ago. I was exhausted...I needed to rest before I see everyone and...and..."

"That's all? Janet, I promise – I am not upset with you. Listen to your big brother: I know how it feels at the end of a world tour. You are exhausted and disoriented. You have no idea what day it is, where you are and what your name is, for that matter. Please, stop crying. I am not upset that you told me that you've just returned."

"That's not all, Michael! Mother...and Anouk...visited me. It was about a month and a half ago, I think. Now I remembered and I panicked...I didn't want mother to tell you by chance and to look like a liar in your eyes."

There were two red lights flashing in my mind and I had to stop them both.

"Wait...wait, Janet. My Nooki visited you...with mother...about 8 weeks ago?"

"Yes, they stopped by."

"Janet, this is important! What day was it?"

"I don't know...wait...wait...I had had my aerobics class in the morning...it was a Wednesday."

The information came like a pile of bricks down my head.

"Janet...how did she look...Anouk?"

"She was Okay...She looked a bit tired, but she said she was working on her MBA...Wait a minute! Michael...you don't mean to tell me that it was the same day....No....no, it can't be!"

"Yes, Janet. Later that afternoon she collapsed. It was a Wednesday...8 weeks ago."

"I SWEAR on what I hold most sacred, Michael, that I did not see any sign that she would be ill...that this would happen. I would not have let her leave without calling an ambulance."

"Janet, I believe you. Mother did not suspect anything, either. She was with her, remember? They drove around in the car, and then mother brought her back to Neverland and did not see anything worrying in her. Please, don't torment yourself about it. But also, please be honest with me: you said that you've forgotten all about this visit?"

Silence and then more sobbing.

"Michael, please don't be mad with me....You know what happens to me after every tour...I stop working out as hard as I did before...I start eating candy...and...and I get fat..."

"Janet, that's not true!"

"It is! Back in the 80's even you told me that I'm too fat."

"I was a stupid moron, Janet, don't mind what I said back then. Now...tell me what exactly you've been doing."