1984 – "Victory" Tour Rehearsals (California)
MICHAEL
I'm from a world.
Of disappointments and confusions.
But I want her to be mine.
I started talking.
She kept on walking.
She disappeared into the crowd...
("Carousel" by Michael Jackson, 1982)
"I just dropped off three kids off at school and argued with a limo chauffeur before getting here. Sit down, Michael!" Marlon's wife Carol pulled me into that breakroom by my ear. Marlon just shook his head, laughing at first. Bill and my brand-new manager Frank snickered in this hallway. Still, I wasn't laughing right now. In all seriousness, Marlon entered this room before long and closed the door behind him. Silence haunted in somehow. All three of us rounded a table in the back.
I quickly removed my sunglasses out of respect and faced these otherwise wonderful people. Clearly, I had done something terrible. I could only imagine what crossed the mind of my brother and sister-in-law. Once again, I didn't even know what to think at this point. My heart pounded within. My eyes narrowed. Marlon puckered his lips, annoyed and possibly upset.
"Marlon told me what happened with Kimberly last night. What is wrong with you?" Carol scrunched up her face without hesitation. Marlon had been completely silent. In that moment, my mind drifted back to visiting Kay at the rehearsals and leaving that message. One more lump formed in my throat.
"Let's be honest. I don't want Prince to take anyone else away from me. One minute, Kim and I spend time together and the next she just drifts right back into foolishness. She's gonna tour with him in a few months and I'm tired of her ignoring me. I want to tell Kay how I feel, but it's impossible right now." I lowered my head for the millionth. Carol tapped her chin while pondering. Marlon shrugged. We all dropped into silence.
"How many times do I have to say that you can't control other people. What's so wrong with her moving on like this? Damn, Mike." Marlon shook his head for the millionth time after speaking. It took everything in me not to bicker with him again. Carol puckered her lips near us.
"Sorry if I can't help myself. She's messed me up, Marlon. I don't know what to do. My heart doesn't want her to feel trapped by anything, but I want her so bad. It's crazy." If only my other brothers would walk in and disrupt this "intervention." I couldn't take the questions anymore. I didn't know why this blinding jealousy consumed my entire body. Tension filled this room once again. I could've choked in a sense.
Thankfully, we all turned our heads and it was time for breakfast. Bill finally unlocked the door and crew members filed in with my other brothers. Carol shook her hand one last time and stood up from the table. Marlon shared a kiss and hug with his wife before I waved farewell. Only time would tell if I mustered up courage to tell Kim the truth in one way or another.
__
I returned home to see that the answering machine flashed red. Thoughts of Joseph possibly asking for anything crossed my mind. He'd hired boxing promoter Don King to collaborate, but I knew Don had been a crook all along. Still, I couldn't turn away from the tour this late in the game.
In the end, I would've disappointed Mother and millions of upcoming fans. To be honest, I saved the project. Everything from the setlist to staging. If I wasn't for my involvement, the others would've drowned in failure. And Joseph would've kicked our asses. Not physically anymore, but reprimanding would've been cruel.
"Mike, it's Kay. I know you hate the press, but turn on a television as soon as you can. I can't stop smiling. Oh my God! Okay, let me calm down. Bye." After listening to silence, I finally turned on the answering machine. It wasn't long before I heard the voice I'd missed. A faint grin crept onto my face before long. Kay beamed on the speaker for whatever reason. Her New Jersey accent finally emerged for once. My heart almost thumped in anticipation. What news spread right now?
Not even moments later, I sat on the couch and flipped through channels. One of the showbiz stations immediately captured my attention. Onscreen, this brunette reporter cheesed a wonderful grin for those studio cameras. I didn't know what to think until my eyes quickly noticed pictures or footage onscreen. Brenda and Prince faded into view. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" by Prince himself topped extra commentary.
"Well, it's official. The ultimate bad boy of music will soon become a family man. Sources close to Prince and his fiancée Brenda "Monty" Hughes revealed that the couple are expecting their very first child. Brenda has gained her reputation in showbiz as a member of the "Soul Train Gang." Also, the pair also intends to wed in April of next year, shortly following the end of Prince's forthcoming "Purple Rain" tour. Good luck and best wishes to these lovebirds."
Suddenly, I wanted to shout or even faint after turning off the television.
There is nothing that will overcome the love we share.
Nothing that will break us apart.
Girl, I gotta always have you in my ear.
Gotta always have you in my heart...
("Just As Long As We're Together" by Prince, 1978)
