Moments with Michael

Mystery Man in the car part 2

I'm sorry if it took a little longer than expected, but here's part 2, I hope you'll enjoy it!

When I wake up the next morning, enjoying the feeling of not having to get up and go to work, I take a look at my phone and see three new text messages. My eyebrows jump up in surprise, before I recognize the number as the one from the napkin. Michaels.

You're welcome reads the first, and I can see it was sent just moments after I texted him thank you. I must have been asleep when it came, because I didn't hear it.

Do you want to come and visit me today? Says the next, and it's from this morning, a couple of hours ago.

I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, if you don't want to, it's fine! The last one says, and it's sent just a minute ago.

That makes me quickly sit up in my bed, surprised that he could think like that. Just because I didn't answer him at 7 AM on a Saturday! He must know that most people are asleep then!

You're not bothering me! I would love to come and visit you, really! I didn't answer because I was asleep. I quickly text him back, hoping that he will see it soon.

In the meantime, I decide to get up and get some breakfast. But I'm not even done getting dressed, before a little pling from my phone steals all my attention.

Okay.. I'm sorry if I woke you up. When can you come? Reads the new text, and I can't keep a smile from my face.

Anytime I think, I don't have any plans today. When do you have time? I answer, before continuing with getting dressed, while keeping an eye on my phone.

Only a few moments later, a new text appears on the screen, and I hurry to read it.

I don't have any plans before 4 PM, so you can just come anytime you want before that

Just as I'm about to reply that I can just drive now, I realize something: My car is still in the parking lot at the KFC I work at, since Michael (or his chauffeur, depends on how you look at it) drove me home last night.

I'm ready soon, I just have to go get my car first, then I'll be on my way

Don't worry about that, I'll send a car. He replies, and suddenly I remember who it actually is I'm texting.

Michael. Jackson.

The king of pop.

My idol since I was a little girl, dancing along with the Jackson 5 on the TV.

And I'm texting him, right now! I'm invited to visit him, and he even wants to send someone to drive me, just because my own car isn't home.

With fingers that suddenly shake a little, I text him back:

That would be very nice of you, but you really don't have to. It's not very long, I can easily walk over and get it.

No, you don't have to. It's just as easy for me to send a car. He replies, and I shake my head lightly at his persistence.

I can't talk you out of it, can I? I ask him, hoping he can hear the joking tone in my voice, even over text.

Nope :-) His answer reads, and I can almost imagine how he must be smiling.

Just as I'm about to answer him, another text from him appears on my phone:

Especially not because I'm already here. Come outside!

No. This can't be real, he did not! I think as I run through the house, and out of the front door. I freeze on the spot when I'm outside my apartment, and see a black limousine parked in front of me.

My phone vibrates with another text, and I quickly glance down at the screen to see it.

Get in the car, please. I can't go out of it, someone would notice.

Like in a trance, I walk to the car, opens the door, and gets in. I'm greeted by a big smile, and the warm arms of my idol as he gives me a hug.

"Good to see you again!" He says as he lets go of me, still smiling.

"You too" I answer, trying my best to just act normal.

"Is anything wrong?" Michael then asks, and I curse myself for being such a bad actor. But it's not like anything is wrong.

"No, no it's not. It's just...I'm a bit overwhelmed. I mean, yesterday I was so sad, I didn't really have time to think about it, but now it just hit me that... Well, you're Michael Jackson! I have been a fan since I was a little girl, and now... I'm actually meeting you, and... It's crazy"

He chuckles lightly, probably unsure of what to say. I would be if I was in his shoes. I feel the engine starting, and the car begins to move just as I ask him:

"Actually, why? Why do you care about me? I mean, I'm just one in millions of fans"

"I care about all of you, because you're human and because you always supports me, which honestly means more than I can express to you. But I care about you especially because... well, because you needed it yesterday. And... and because you're kind, and I'm a bit lonely... I guess I'm just desperate for a friend," he says, his voice getting a bit thicker at the end.

Compassion overwhelms me, and before I can even think the conscious thought, I embrace him in a warm hug.

"Don't worry," I whisper against his shoulder, "I'll be your friend".

I feel his arms tighten around me, and when we let go, there's a wetness in his eyes that wasn't there before.

Just in that moment, the car slows down to a stop. I can't see what's outside the tinted windows, but after only a matter of seconds the door is opened by who I recognize to be the chauffeur.

"Come on!" I say excitedly, taking Michaels hand in mine and almost dragging him out of the car.

We are in a garage, filled with a number of other cars that I'm sure would make anyone (cough *my dad* cough) extremely impressed, but I'm more interested in seeing the rest of Neverland. After all, I've been dreaming about this since the ranch was built!

Michael, who was regained his natural energy and happiness, is suddenly the one dragging me out of the garage, laughing by the sight of my overly joyful expression. I laugh along, running right behind him, until we get out the garage. There, I stop for a moment, overwhelmed at the sight before me.

Beautifully green lawns stretching as far as I can see, spotted with colorful flowerbeds and majestic trees. Small paths go in elegant twists and turns, the grey stones shining faintly in the bright sunshine, and a fair distance to my right, the top of the Ferris wheel is visible over the treetops.

Then I turn my gaze to the left, and an even more impressive sight meets my eyes. The main house. In front of it, the extraordinary flower-clock is enough to leave me breathless, but the house itself surpasses it by far. It's like a small castle, built in red bricks and with white windows. A large clock decorates the top of what could almost be called a tower, and no less than four flags are flying from different places on the roof.

"Wow..." I breathe out, unable to say anything else.

"Yeah, I love it too" Michael says dreamily, a happy giggle hiding behind his smile.

"I don't even know where to look!"

"Come on, I'll show you everything!"

With those words, he leads me to a small golf cart that I'm not quite sure he knows how to drive, and off we go in direction of the amusement park.

The day becomes one of the best in my life, laughter and happy moments shared with my childhood idol that suddenly became my friend, all illuminated by the rays of sunshine that gradually grow softer and darker in color, until the orange and pink light of the sunset shines upon two dark silhouettes sitting close together at the top of a hill, ones head resting on the others shoulder in perfect harmony.

"And that, Paris, is the story of how I met your dad" I say, as I kiss my daughters forehead and tugs the blankets closer around her. "Sleep well" I whisper before turning the lights off.