Girlfriend

Chapter 9

Michael and I kept a close eye on that place. I really loved it, and I think he loved it too. But the fact was that I wanted to live there with him. Maybe it is too soon for that. For now I'm staying in the guest house at Michael's.Michael was going to be really busy . I feel like I won't be able to see him for months. He is going on tour with his brothers. Michael has gotten a lot of fame lately from his Off the Wall album. We used to have some trouble going places together, but now it's nearly impossible to without fans and the press .

Night before he leaves for tour. March of '81.

He stood in the mirror primping himself for the plane. I sat on his couch in his room flipping through magazines.

" Michael, did you see the John Travolta movie, ' Urban Cowboy' ? Cuz I had really wanted to."

He came out stressed with his hands on his face. " No. No I didn't."

" Something wrong?"

He grunted." I just don't want to do this tour."

" Why honey? You nervous?"

" No. It's not that I'm nervous. And it isn't the fans...I just. I want to be alone."

" Alone...?"

" Like I want be a solo artist now. I made my start with my brothers and I want to branch away now. Why do you think I did Off the Wall? I had all these ideas that were MINE. "

" Michael, I wish I could do something." I said rubbing his shoulder.

" Nah...I mean. I'm working on this album right now and I feel extremely confident with it. Rod Temperton has talked to me about this song that I really like. And I've been recording some things in the studio and saving them on tapes to show Quincy."

" Oh honey that's great."

" Yeah. This album is going to be the greatest. 10 times better than ' Off the Wall'. I'll make sure of it."

" Well I don't doubt that you will. I have faith in you."

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead caressing my cheeks." You're wonderful. "

We walked outside to the car and all the boys were talking to their families saying goodbye and Michael and I went to the side . Michael didn't feel comfortable doing that in front of his family, especially his mother.

" I'm gonna miss you." I said .

" I'm gonna miss you too." He said rubbing his thumb on my cheek. " But when we come to Dodger's Stadium. I want you there. It's in May. I know that's a long time...but I want you there."

" I wouldn't miss seeing my favorite entertainer for the world." I said smiling.

" Come on Mike lets go! Wrap it up with your girly-friend!" His brothers echoed.

" Well. Goodbye for now ,my love." He kissed me gently. " I love you." He said.

" I love you more ." I whispered.

He ran off . " I most!" He shouted to me. I giggled and waved them goodbye.

I walked back inside with Katherine and we sat down for lunch out on the back terrace.

There was a long silence.

" You know..." Katherine said getting teary-eyed. I was alerted by her voice .

" I have never seen my little boy like this." She said sniffling.

I cleared my throat." I'm sorry, which one?" I lightly chuckled.

" Michael. He used to cry to me saying. ' Mother. I'm so ugly. No girl will ever want me, and I'm too shy to talk to them anyways. I'll be alone forever.' And I used to think he wouldn't ever find someone , not from his looks, but because he is so terribly shy. And you came...he's never been happier."

I smiled at her as she spoke about him.

" I'm happy because of it. You make him so so happy. I just wanted to thank you for coming into his life." She said reaching for a hug. I returned her hug and she squeezed me tightly.

" I can't wait until you officially become part of this family." She said eating her salad.

My eyes widened and my heart sped up. " I'm sorry?"

" Well, I mean it is gonna happen eventually ...he talks about you like you're the light of the world."

I blushed , but still came anxious. What if that happens? I mean, I want it to happen, but I am also nervous for it . The time leading up to it is very nerve-wrecking. But I love Michael with all my heart and would definitely marry him. But no matter who you're in love with or how much you are, you get nervous about the marriage part.

" Well he is wonderful too. And he is very handsome and I wish he could see that." His mother said, her sadness returning.

" He is very handsome. But I've learned that he's a perfectionist and he always has that on mind. He always feels the need to perfect things. His face is beautiful, I love it."

" Yes well, I hope he doesn't change anything else. It hurts me to see my son unhappy with his looks. It makes me feel like I did wrong to him, like I made him like this."

" No, Katherine . You haven't done anything wrong. Michael is wonderful and doesn't hate you for anything. Don't you worry." I said patting her hand.

Our lunch was disrupted by Joseph walking in.