Stay the Night

Chapter 28

March 5th, 2003

"I understand that Marc, but my kids need to speak to Michael."

Janet was perched at the dinner room table, the house phone tucked under her ear, as she focused her attention on a note she was writing. The woman was preparing to go on a trip to Brazil with Michael and her children according to Marc Schaffel, but she wanted to make sure. The group of men around Michael seemed shady to Janet and his parasite of a wife was clearly using them to keep him away from his real family.

Schaffel cleared his throat. "He's with his family."

The pen stopped mid stroke. "His family is here."

The Arvizo matriarch tapped her nails against the wooden table in agitation. She could hear Schaffel shuffling papers around as if he had a script to go on every time he spoke to her. It tickled her to know that she had these powerful men shuffling around at her mercy.

"Janet, I'm not playing this game with you."

Every attempt to maintain authority over her fell flat because they were confused by her. They were convinced that she was insane. She could hear their whispers. But she wasn't, she was just a desperate woman getting what she deserved.

She picked at her split ends. "There's no game. I just want to speak with him, why can't you give me the number to call?"

"I can't. Michael doesn't want to be disturbed right now."

"And why not?"

"Look, I'll have Michael call you when he can." The man conceded.

"Good." Janet leaned back in the chair and crossed her legs. "And he'll be in Brazil?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Evvy's already arranged everything. We just need you and the kids on the tarmac."

He's hiding something from me.

Janet resumed writing her note watching the black ink bleed into the slightly crumpled piece of paper. She had to make sure that it was perfect in each purposeful imperfection, her eyes darting from an old card as she attempted to imitate what she saw. Every stroke was deliberate in its attempt to look natural.

"Janet?"

She stopped again. "I can't promise that I'll go unless I talk to Michael."

"He's not taking calls right now. His wife is sick, and he's taking care of her." Schaffel started. "Michael specifically-"

Click.

Janet threw the phone across the room, her chest heaving. They were playing games with her.

If only that demon would die.

It didn't surprise Janet that Mariah would lie about being ill to keep Michael preoccupied. It wouldn't be the first time Mariah kept Michael away, but if Janet had anything to say about it, it would certainly be the last.

She could almost feel her blood pressure rising, but quickly released a breath. She knew that she'd have to keep her head down in the coming weeks. She'd play Schaffel's game--to an extent. Once she got to Michael, she'd plead her case to him directly.

He's got too much heart for his own good. She mused.

It almost wasn't fair how easily she could get what she wanted from Michael. But after making millions off her son, it was what she deserved.

She picked up her pen and signed the note in the unfamiliar handwriting before shoving the paper in her pocket.

"Hey ma, did you find Michael?"