Dear Michael

Chapter 4

(Shayla)

"Shayla-Elizabeth Ann Johnson! Did you not hear me? I said you got another letter from this Michael fellow!" Mom shouted. I shot up from my bed. "Shayla, did hear me?" She asked in a softer tone.

"I just heard you," I rubbed my eyes.

"Were you sleeping or were you faking again?"

"I just woke up when I heard you calling me."

"Well, why didn't you get up?"

"I was about to, but you were already coming."

"You kids," she rolled her eyes. "Well, here's your letter from Michael. Next time you hear me calling you, you better come quick. Whether you hear me coming or not."

"Yes, ma'am," I looked at the envelope. Michael really does have beautiful handwriting. I put my hair in a ponytail and sat at my desk to read his letter. As I opened it, a piece of paper fell out. I unfolded it to see a drawing of a theme park. That's what it looks like at least.

I pinned it above my desk. He has such amazing talents. He can sing, dance, and draw? How amazing is that! I wonder what it's supposed to be. Maybe I should read the letter to figure it out.

After reading the letter, I was quite happy as usual. When you get to know Michael, he's amazing. I wonder how he feels when girls just want to marry him without even knowing him. Through a letter at that... That's just tacky. I'm gonna ask that. I really wanna know how he feels when girls ask him that. Because if guys sent me a letter like that, I would get irritated. Who would dare have the audacity to ask a person you only heard of and seen on television to marry them? I find that foolish. That means you only like them for their looks and would not care to know how they really are. I really want to know Michael's thoughts about this.

Dear Michael,                                                                                                 July 10, 1979

I really love your drawing! I'm guessing you would like your home to be a theme park of some sort? I really like that idea. I never would have thought of it myself. "No more Kings Island! Now my own home is a theme park!" I really like your idea and you should really show your mom. She will love it as much as Janet and I do. I fully support your idea and I hope it goes through. I would also love to visit someday if I may.

Michael, I want to know something. How do you feel when you get a letter from a girl asking if you will marry them? I know I would be irritated if a boy sent me a letter asking me that and they only knew me from watching television or listening to my music and not even getting a chance to get to know me. It would upset me greatly. So please, tell me how you really feel when you get letters considering this subject. Sorry to skip to another subject so quickly. I'm just eager to know how you feel.

I enjoy receiving letters from you too. Each time I read your letter, I have the biggest smile on my face.

I can only imagine how your sister Rebbie felt. I would have been upset. How does Rebbie deal with that? I would have thought my dad hated me.

Yes, Michael! I think you have beautiful handwriting! End of discussion! Just kidding. But yes, you do. Out of all the guys handwriting I've seen, yours is the best. So, you should be happy about that.

Thank you, Michael. You know how to make me smile. I let my nails grow a tad bit and they look great. Hopefully, I won't bite them down again.

My mom and cousin graduated from Fisk. They say it's a great school. I really think you should apply or check it out sometime. I've applied there, and I got accepted, but I don't want to go. I want to go where my dad went.