Dear Michael

Chapter 5

A month. It's been an entire month since I've heard from Shayla. I really hope everything is okay. She is the only person I feel I can talk to. Mother understands. She notices I'm happier when I receive a letter from her. We're done with "Off the Wall." I may just send a copy to Shayla. I think she'll really like that.

"Michael!" Joseph called just as I was walking down the stairs.

"Yes?" I answered as he held up an envelope in his hand.

"Do you plan on meeting this girl?"

"Who?"

"This 'Shayla' girl."

"Oh. When the time comes, I hope so."

"That's good. Here," he handed me the envelope.

"Thank you. Did this just get here?"

"Maybe. It's been sitting on the counter for quite some time."

"Oh, boy," I ran upstairs.

"You're welcome!" He shouted up the stairs.

"I said, 'thank you!'" I said as I shut the door. Has it been on the counter all this time and no one told me? When I write back, I'm sincerely going to apologize. Why didn't I check the counter? As I opened the envelope, a photo fell out. Shayla must be beautiful. Of course, she is. A girl with an amazing personality is always beautiful. I picked the photo up and turned it around. She is gorgeous! Beautiful smooth caramel skin, long black curly hair, beautiful brown eyes, long sexy legs, and the most beautiful smile. Her eyes are fixated on the camera and her pose tells that she's having a good time. Her hand rests on her hip as she points to a red Mustang with a gorgeous smile on her face. I wonder how old this photo is. She doesn't look old. Maybe seventeen or eighteen. God, she's gorgeous. I mean, I knew she would be with such an amazing personality like her own. I put the photo in an empty frame and set it on the nightstand beside my bed. This photo isn't going in the drawer with all the other photos. It's going right beside me where I can admire Shayla and her beauty. I wonder what her voice sounds like. She must have a beautiful voice. I can't get my mind off Shayla. She's so... Let me just read her letter.

Dear Michael,                                                                                             July 20, 1979

I hope you like the photo I decided to send you. It's the best I could find. I don't really like taking photos, but I was forced to take this one because it was my birthday and my dad got me my favorite car. Isn't it nice? I'm glad my dad got it in my second favorite color. How ironic is it that I happened to be wearing red that day too? Forgive me for my hair. I couldn't find the hot comb, so I just wore it naturally curly with a big red bow. Enough about that. I hope you like the picture. Do you mind if I have one of you? I know you're all over the magazines, televisions, tapes and record covers, but I would like a personal photo of you. If you don't mind...

Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday! I really did have a good time. Not only did I get the red mustang you see in the photo, but I also had a surprise birthday party with all of my classmates. Even the ones who wouldn't dare speak to me. I'm sure it was my Mother's doing. Nothing got out of hand. But I got a lot of presents. I thought everyone didn't like me, but apparently, they do. At school, I have so much respect now. It'll probably die down within a month though.

Yes, Michael! I really like your drawing! I pinned it above my desk. What did your mother think of it? I'm sure she loved it as much as I did. You call it "Neverland?" I really like that. I would have never thought of that, but "Neverland" is amazing. I don't think you're crazy. You have an amazing imagination and I admire that. You would allow me to come with you? That would be so fun! I would love to!