A few weeks went by after Michael left for California. We talked on the phone a few times but nothing like before. He always would say he was busy recording the new album for Epic, which I understood but when we did actually talk, it seemed like he was trying to distance himself. He really wouldn't answer some of my questions dealing with "us". So when two weeks went by and I hadn't heard from him, I just let it go. I was not the type of girl to get caught up over a guy. I'm actually very surprised I even went as far as I did with him. Maybe I just got caught up in a fantasy.
I started putting all my energy and focus back into my craft. All my dancing gigs went well and I was making a good amount of money. So when it came time to move to New York, I would be out of here!
November 1976
My sister, Silvia, came down for Thanksgiving, It was the first time I'd seen her since she left for New York. She was telling me how I would love it there and how there is always a job for an up and coming dancer. She had landed a job on Broadway a couple weeks prior.
She wanted to teach me some of the dances she learned but I didn't have any of the music she needed, so we headed uptown to the record store. We started strolling down the aisles, catching up on old times. All of a sudden, Silvia grabbed my.
Silvia: "Oh **** Sam! Look!" She held up a record, "It's your husband's new album"
Samarah: I turned around to look and I read the album cover, The Jacksons. "Get that **** out of here", I threw my hand up and kept walking.
Silvia: starts laughing, and keeps the record in her hand "What? He's looking good Sam. Look!", she puts the record in front of my face.
I stopped and looked at the album cover. It was a cute picture of the fellas. I couldn't help but feel that familiar feeling run through my body. I started having flashbacks of his soft lips, warm hugs, soft yet sexy voice and everything else that was wonderful about Michael. I felt a smile starting to form on my face but I just shook my head and pushed the album away from me.
I knew at that moment there still were feelings there. I was so frustrated with myself. How could I let a summer "fling" affect me all this damn time? He promised not to forget about me and he did the first moment he could. It's time for me to return to that ice cold person I was before I met him.
May 1977
Well, I've been in New York for 5months and things couldn't be better! Silvia and I have been renting out a nice apartment in the city. It's amazing; there is always something to do here. The people aren't the nicest but that's ok with me, as long as they don't think they can come at me like that!
I was recruited by one of the top dance companies in NYC within weeks of moving here, I've been recommended for many jobs since I joined. Parker & James Dance Company is my new home away from home and they've helped me make a name for myself in the dancing community. Being a part of a big company like this has also given me the chance to make new friends.
One friend in particular is also a dancer, his name is Jay. I know, I know, a lot of people have this preconceived opinion that all male dancers must be gay. Sorry to disappoint everybody but the myth is not true. He was one of the first people I met and there has been sexual tension between us ever since! He is so sexy! Tall, dark and handsome!
Jay and I are working on a piece for the company's yearly workshop. So I head to the studio to meet up with him. I got there first so I drop my bag over by the record player and put on our song we were planning on dancing to (Natalie Cole, "I've got love on my mind"). I walk over to the ballet barre and start stretching. Not too long after, I hear the door open.
Jay: Drops his bag, "Need help miss lady?"
Samarah: I turn to face him and smile, "Well hey there Mr. JAY. Early today huh?"
He looked amazing! He didn't have a shirt on, just some sweat pants and his dancing shoes. He must have been working out or something because his body was glistening!
Jay: He walks up to me and gives me a big bear hug, "I had a class earlier. Need help stretching?"
Samarah: "Sure"
I lay down on the floor and I start to stretch. Some of these stretches are very, I guess you could call "friendly". As I'm lying on my back, Jay sits in front of me, takes my legs and spreads them into a split. I feel his big, muscular hands holding my legs apart, and I look at him. He was talking to me, yet I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if this was under a more intimate circumstance. I start sneaking peeks at his chest, arms, and his lips. Then I notice he's looking at me, I can feel my face tingling from embarrassment.
Jay: Smiles, "You ok Sam?"
Samarah: I shake my head, "yea, I think we can move to the next one"
He laughs and we switch to the next stretch. I stand up and he comes behind me and helps stretch my arms. I can feel his breath on my neck and his rock hard abs against my back. I can't help but close my eyes and sink my teeth into my lip to maintain my composure. After a couple different stretches, he walks over to the record player to begin the song.
The dance is extremely delicate; the song is about love after all. We're running through the routine, and there is a section in the middle where he lifts me, I slide down and we end up face to face. I guess today Jay wanted to try it a little different, and not mention it to me. I go for the lift and he's holding me differently. All of a sudden he lets go and catches me in his arms, terrified the **** out of me.
Samarah: "What the hell J?"
Jay: Laughing, "I just wanted to try something"
Samarah: Hitting him on his chest, "Next time warn me, I thought I was falling or something! Put me down"
Jay: Stares at me, "No, not yet"
Samarah: I look at him "wha...?"
Before I knew it, he had pulled me closer and kissed me. After our lips parted, I knew I had this puzzled look on my face. Even though I shouldn't have been totally shocked, I still couldn't help but be taken back by it. He put me down, and must have been waiting for a response because he didn't say anything.
I kept looking back and forth between his eyes and lips. A giant smile came from corner to corner, and Jay took it as his green light. He took a step forward and grabbed my hips. At that instant, I heard the studio door open and I jumped back. I turn to look who had come in and it was one of the top instructors of the company, Ms. Beverly.
Ms. Beverly: Walks up to and hugs both of us, "Great! The two people I need to see! You were working on your workshop piece?"
Samarah & Jay: We both laugh, "yes!"
Ms. Beverly: "Great Great.," She seemed very excited, "I came here because I have a job lined up for both of you if your interested." She pulls out two flyers from her purse, "Now, this is probably going to be one of the biggest jobs you'll ever receive. It's for a movie coming up, actually more of a musical. They are looking for 10 more dancers to add on. You two were on the top of my list. The rehearsals start in about two weeks. So are you interested?"
Samarah: "Of course!"
Jay: "Absolutely!"
Ms. Beverly: "Well, here you are!" She hands each of us one of the flyers. "Well, I have to catch up with some other people so good luck guys. Make us proud!" She hugs us and leaves
I unfold the flyer and start reading.
Samarah: "Oh wow, they're paying big bucks"
Jay: "yea, but what kind of name is The Wiz?"
