tabloid junkie (Michael Jackson)

December 24ᵗʰ ─ 10:30 ᵖᵐ

{Edited}

Dec. 24th

10:30 pm

It was dark when I pulled into the driveway of the Cartwright residence, I sat in the car for a lingering moment, staring at myself in the mirror, then I grabbed a wet wipe and cleaned away the dry tears.

I practiced my put-on, and then smiled cheerily, grabbing my purse as I ducked out of the car. A burgundy jeep was parked close to the bushes, my smile faded. Richard's car.

I gulped, my heart beating so fast and so loud.

He's here.

I gripped my fists tightly.

Then I mounted the stairs, raising my fist to the glass, hesitating for a moment before knocking. The door swung open, revealing a blonde Gloria Cartwright.

I gasped and threw myself into her embrace.

"Oh god, Gloria." I smiled into the hug. "It's so good to see you." I stepped into the house, shutting the door behind me.

The kitchen was empty, so was the hall.

"Where is everybody?" I asked, my eyes searching around.

Gloria took a large sigh. "They're in the living room, I told you there was something Mom had to tell us..." she trailed off, her eyes distant.

"Gloria, what is it?" I asked, cupping the back of my baby-sis's head.

She shrugged, her eyes shining. "I don't know, and I'm scared."

"I'm sure it's something good." I tried to convince her, though I was equally as terrified as she was.

She nodded. "Yeah. Now come on, we have to get there before she tells everyone except us." We headed into the living room.

The living room was always my favorite room in the Cartwright house, there were white couches, positioned in a circle. Right now, my Mother Freya was in the one with it's back to me.

My uncles and aunt's were seated in the couch facing me, and on the couch to the right, was Richard, he was seated beside a woman, she was skinny, dark hair and pretty eyes. Thank god there was an empty couch.

Gloria and I took our seat beside each other on that empty couch.

"Diana," said my uncle David. "It's good to see you."

I nodded in his direction with a smile, replying with: "It's good to see you too." I looked toward my Mother, she looked pale and she reached over to hold Gloria's hand.

"As you all know," said Freya, her voice deep. "I asked you here because there has been something going on with me for the last three years."

I stiffened.

"But before I burden you all, I want to know more about your lives."

No one answered.

"Mom, what did you want to tell us?" Asked Gloria, pleading with her eyes.

My mother looked down at her hands, playing with the rings on them, and I was getting scared with every second that went by.

"I have cancer."