Author's Note: It's about to get messy. Enjoy more drama!
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1985 – California
MICHAEL
Just remember everything I tell you.
Sorry for the pain and I have caused you.
You know it's true, I want to stay.
I know you tried to make it what it should have been.
You were there to help me when I couldn't have been.
I don't know what ever came over me.
Give me that one more chance.
Remember all that we've planned.
Give me that one more chance for me...
("One More Chance" by Randy Jackson, 1984)
Kay,
Sweetheart, I just don't know what to do. You're so perfect. You're literally everything I want in a woman. We share the same values. We both strive for world peace. We both obsess over Disney. We both breathe music. I can't live without you. You've opened my heart again. I will thank Jehovah every night that you entered my life.
Last night, I thought you changed on me. I thought you'd slip into the fame crowd and never see me again. We only argued last night because that's how I lost someone else. She meant everything to me, but then Hollywood brainwashed her. She follows one of the biggest rock stars in the world, latching onto his every word. In the end, I know that's not who she really is. I can't lose you, too.
Please come back to me, Queen. Don't let show business change who you really are.
You King,
Michael
Kimberly left for good last night.
Before, we lived together. We made love. We revealed secrets to one another and even built faith in the relationship. Still, I knew this woman had been right. All this time, I longed for someone else. I couldn't stop comparing. I couldn't stop fearing the possibly inevitable.
I didn't want to Kay to end up like another person.
Brenda Michelle Nelson. Baby Girl.
After meeting this woman at the Motown party, my heart became conflicted. Even Charlene paled in comparison. Both of those different but extremely talented ladies ultimately reminded me of Michelle. My weakness. The woman I'd never have. As I've said, this returning heartache prompted me to think of Diane (Diana Ross).
Still, I knew so much better.
A magazine placed on my bed featured Prince his beautiful spouse. I turned one page to see wedding pictures. One photograph included Brenda feeding her husband cake. The next snapshot prompted me to weakly grin for a moment. Brenda smashed that dessert into his otherwise delighted face. I could even hear its prompted laughter from the reception in my mind now.
Sadly, the final picture nearly devastated my heart in one way or another. Those kissed away the dessert with closed eyes. A Luther Vandross ballad crossed my mind while Prince held Brenda close in his arms. I'd never find happiness like that ever again. As mentioned, I'd always love that taken woman. No other conclusion reached my thoughts.
As usual, one entertainment broadcast distracted me throughout insomnia. The channel once again dodged slandering my name for once. I'd already finished touring with my brothers of course. My team even convinced Joseph to stop managing me altogether.
Of course, Joseph and I fought, but Mother calmed him down. I thanked Jehovah every day for her loving presence. Even that clear sense of sympathy toward individuals rested within me. Given that more than difficult childhood with my siblings, behaviors could've deemed much worse. But I digress.
I soon concentrated on the broadcast once more. Brenda crossed her legs in stocking while sitting across from this female journalist. These smiled and laughed for a moment together while one make-up artist spruced up Brenda's face onscreen. I laughed to myself, interested. It wasn't long before that footage shifted to the real discussion.
"Hello. My name is Cassie Franklin. I've scored a huge interview this week..." That journalist offered audio commentary. Between the narration, Brenda's most recent Soul Train footage reached my eyes. "Who Do You Love?" from Bernard Wright overlapped those energetic moves, silly faces, and various outfits. I turned up volume for the millionth time, waiting for details. I could only imagine how the press fared now that one It Girl lost her crown in one way or another.
Just as the music faded out, one more section appeared. Once again, Prince flashed onto my television screen. Everything from Vanity 6 to Purple Rain colored the time limits. Moments later, one intense power-couple snapshot Brenda and crashed right through earlier material.
This pair stood back to back while flashing the wedding rings. Prince slicked back his hair once more. Brenda curved her body into one more white dress, proudly holding flowering without even one smile. A wedding veil didn't obscure that curled mane now. I lowered my head in shame, but fury toward Prince still bubbled. My heart didn't battle these feelings, even if I wanted to.
"Despite all that controversy these days, I have my husband, I have family and I have confidence in myself. I don't need gloom for success. I'm not gonna pity myself anymore. I know I'm the best. What else is there need to prove?" Her hands opened or close with painted fingernails. That gold wedding band shined as usual. Her New Jersey accent calmed, but still revealed itself. Regardless, I couldn't help feeling joy this time and even applauded for that woman.
At least Brenda seemed happy. But I felt miserable. She still wasn't mine.
