Butterflies

Angel

MIchael's P.O.V.

Year: 1966

I've been accused of molesting several kids. I've been attacked by a swarm of delirious tabloid liars. I've had the chance to perform in front of millions. I've been treated like garbage by my father. My skin has turned white for crying out loud! I guess you could say that I attract unusual circumstances. The chances of someone living my life are one and a billion. But nothing compares to the Purple Feather Girl..

I remember meeting her for the first time, clear as day.  I was only eight years old at the time, but I worked like a grown man. Not to say that it didn't pay off later in life, but it was just so exhausting on my young mind and body. I woke up bright and early on a Saturday, ready for another long day of pracitce. 

"Come get breakfast!" My Mama yelled from downstairs. I woke up and I had dreamt about bacon. I could still smell it though...could it possibly by true? I was stoked! We usually couldn't afford these luxuries. All of the money went towards music equpitment. I ran downstairs along with my other sibilings, pushing and trampling over eachother to get to the kitchen. 

"Ooooh, Mama this looks great!" my brother Jermaine said. I laughed at my sister, LaToya, as she shoveled it in her mouth.

My brother Marlon Jackson was the last to come down the stairs, but there wasn't any bacon left. I felt so bad. I couldn't stand the look of disappointment on my brother's face. I decided to give him my bacon.

"Wow. Thanks, my man! I really appreciate it," he said. 

"Michael, you're such a considerate young man," my Mama would say. "One lucky girl is gonna find you one day, Michael, just you wait and see," my Mama said, throwing her head back in laughter. I loved my Mama. She was the best in the world, I was sure of it. I didn't let her know how much my dad would abuse me at the time, because I was scared of what my father would do if he found out I told Mama. I also didn't want to break Mama's heart by telling her. Years later, I regret not saying anything. 

Afterwards, it was straight to rehearsals.

"Again, Michael! Do it right this time!" My father said. Before I even had a chance to run, I saw him raise his arm. He whipped that belt across me with no mercy. By now, I'd learnt to not cry and suck it up. Crying was a sign of weakness. I was a talented profressional. Professionals weren't allowed cry, I used to tell myself. We rehearsed once again, and I sang with all my soul, afraid senseless of getting another beating. 

ABC! As easy as 1 2 3! My mama takes care of me! ABC! 1 2 3, baby you and me girl.

A loud thud interrupted the song. It sounded like it came from downstairs.

"Michael, was that you? You hit the speakers, didn't ya?? Boy, do you know how much those cost?" My father asked. He looked like he was about to boil over with rage.

"N-No." I stampered. 

I was about to duck and cover for another beating, but he didn't raise a finger. In fact, I think the look he gave me was worse than a beating. It sent pure terror throughout me. My father had these lazer beam eyes. They bore right into ya, and made you want to puke. 

"Now Michael, if you break those speakers, I'll break your neck, understand?" He said. Although, at that age I really didn't understand. I didn't understand why he had to be so cruel. I didn't understand why I was watching all my neighbor's lead a normal childhood through my rehearsal room's window. Regardless of this, I replied, "Yes, sir," with a bitter taste in my mouth. Literally. It was puke. I didn't want to puke all over the carpet, so I quickly swallowed it. 

"Ok, you get a break. But as soon as the clock strikes four, I want y'all back up here again, you hear me?" He asked. We all nodded our heads. We got out of the stuffy room as soon as he said those words, and ran downstairs to go outside to get some fresh air.

Something caught my attention. A purple feather peaked out from behind our kitchen door. 

"Hey guys, I'll be out in a minute!" I said, then curiously approached the peculiar feather, drawn to it like a magnet. Behind the door was a beautiful young teenage girl. She had a long, slender figure and lanky limbs. She had wavy, brown curls that tied up into a messy bun, with a huge, purple feather sticking out of it. What I noticed most were her eyes. They were huge and hazel. I felt like a was looking into a sea of water, because I noticed a type of reflection, something unexplainably comforting in her eyes that I had never seen in anyone else before. 

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I'm no one. I-I think I was just supposed to see you. I was supposed to see and tell you that...everything is going to be okay," she said, and gave me a hug.

In the moment that we embraced, every single worry or fear that was bottled up inside of me exploded into a massive sob. A release. Our energy was so in sync; our bodies so harmonizing. At that moment, I didn't feel alone. I felt like she broke the barrier that I put up to protect myself against the vengeful world. I knew who she was. My Mama would tell me stories about people like her at night before I went to sleep. She was my guardian angel. And I clung onto her like I was clinging onto my last strand of hope. 

"I have to go," she said. Those words made me feel empty inside.

"Wait! Wait. Will I ever see you again?" I asked. She smiled. Her smile was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. It lit up the whole world, I swear it did.

"One day kid," she said. And as she left, she took half of me with her, and I was alone once again.

***

Years passed, and she would come into my mind when I'd feel most alone. Looking back, I don't know how I could've survived those dreadful teen years with out knowing that there was someone like her somewhere. I'd miss her terribly..and I only talked to her for a couple seconds!! Madness is what is was..madness and magic and mystery as to why I felt such a connection with her in the few seconds that we corresponded. I never mentioned her to anyone. She was like my secret ruby that I never told anyone about. I wondered if I'd ever see her again. I never gave up hope. I thought back to those words..One day, kid..and I didn't know why she would lie. But as time rolled by, I became more and more doubtful that our paths would ever cross again. If she was really my guardian angel, why wasn't she there for me through the suffering in my adolescents? I'd pray for her to show up, but she never did. I began to think that it was just a once in a lifetime occurence. 

That's why I almost had a heart attack when I saw her again. And she brought with her an even bigger surprise. 

***

Again, thanks so much for reading!! Sorry for such a short chapter, but the next one will be even better. ;) Rate and comment and that would mean so much to me..thank you!!