Author's Note: Let the drama begin!
==
1983 – "Motown 25" (California)
KIM
Michael invited me to watch the anniversary concert of his previous but distinguished record label. Everyone from Diana Ross to Marvin Gaye performed. The audience exploded with joy once Michael hit the stage with his brothers. I'd never viewed Michael singing live anyhow. By the time "I'll Be There" rang chords into existence, I nearly broke down. The child phenomenon I'd watched on television grew up to be a revolutionary superstar. This man only wished to dazzle thousands repeatedly. I stood up to applaud with everyone in the piercing audience. Tears finally ruined my mascara.
I couldn't even stop dancing in the row when Michael performed "Billie Jean" for the first time onstage. I was no dancer, but even his sudden "backslide" during the middle instrumental blew us all away. My jaw could've easily dropped to the floor. When "Billie Jean" faded out at last, the audience screamed with cheers once more. I stood up one final time and beamed the largest smile for this man. Even his concluding bow left me emotional for once.
After we greeted his brothers outside, Michael and I walked into this afterparty. Bill Bray and other security dispersed to patrol as usual. Michael grinned from ear to ear at the view of Diana Ross. I held back and lounged for once on nearby and classy furniture. For a moment, I laughed to myself in the name of irony. I'd operate as one of these various servers right now back at the club. Bass rumbled underneath my heels as expected.
"Do you know how much I want to get up and serve somethin' right now? I used to work at a nightclub just like you." When one of the attendants passed me between rhythms, I stopped this woman and quickly offered a huge smile. We laughed together, and she pulled out a yellow notepad from her pocket. This young lady aged twenty-one in my eyes. That same employee grinned at me once more with a youthful face.
"In all seriousness, would you like to have something tonight?" In that moment, the waitress and I laughed between noise again. I understood in one way or another before truly ordering something. I picked a Corona, water to limit getting drunk, and Mozzarella sticks for once. Not much in my eyes.
I quickly waved goodbye to this young woman and waited for my own order. My curly hair nodded to the music. Before long, I watched Michael mingle with some of the other guests. Jackson currently chatted with Motown founder Barry Gordy and stood next to a woman I probably hadn't met before. Musical bass still thundered in this jam-packed but energetic location.
From the corner of my eye, this woman squeezed curves into a tight back dress. More than enough curly hair swooped over her forehead. The style in question resembled a lion mane in one way or another. It wasn't until she turned around next to Michael that my jaw dropped once more. I hadn't seen that woman in the longest time at this point.
While overwhelmed with shock and happiness, I discreetly waved over the woman. She excused herself from Mike and Barry before freezing at the sight of me. I rose from that seating and shook my head. The woman who stood right across from me offered the biggest grin and almost screamed. All despite the otherwise professional surroundings, we didn't even care at all Even her heels stomped hard against the wooden floor here. This reunion had been overdue to say the least.
"Kim? Oh my God!" Brenda Michelle shouted to me over the pulsed music. Her New Jersey accent pronounced itself almost immediately. I've never hugged another person so quickly before. We could've easily toppled over. This woman lived down the street from my house for years.
The last time I saw her in person had been my college graduation. Meanwhile, I only recognized B after remembering that she'd started this career as Soul Train dancer. My coworker Denise tuned in almost every week. Especially as we began to accomplish morning "housework" at the nightclub. I nearly ruined mascara once more when B and I pulled away from this embrace.
"Small world. Michael and Barry, meet one of my old friends. Brenda and I used to be neighbors in New Jersey." Before I could forget everyone else, my gaze concentrated on Michael and Barry. Brenda and I exchanged one last bit of laughter while walking together. My old neighbor shook her head again. I offered the information Michael didn't realize. Barry excused himself after cackling out with amused behavior.
"Really? That's too funny and you never really did tell me where you're from, Kay. Nice to meet you, Brenda." Michael tiled his head out of curiosity. The music continued thundering over our conversation. It wasn't long before Mike offered one of those trademark smiles.
Brenda and Michael shook hands moments later. Jackson offered her a kiss on the cheek. I'd guessed that Michael, Barry and Brenda all stood together earlier, but never really met. While cliché, possibilities seemed endless. "Automatic" by Prince ironically boomed now. Brenda and I laughed with Michael. Just when I planned to reach the dance floor with this woman, Michael stopped me.
"Could I talk to Brenda for a second?" Michael beamed with one more well-mannered grin. B caught wind of our whispering and turned around to face both of us. Alcohol flowed, and voices gossiped all around us. The sounds of joy prompted my face to grin widely. I finally snapped out of glaring toward these people.
"Oh, sure! Have fun you two." I feverishly exclaimed to apologize for daydreaming and headed off to dance.
