tabloid junkie (Michael Jackson)

March 31ˢᵗ ─ 6:00 ᵖᵐ

"Virginia?"

I nodded at Michael's short yet understandable question. "They want me to go back down there. But I promise I'm only visiting." I assured him, swinging my legs on the counter.

We were in the imfamous Neverland kitchen, Michael was flipping pancakes on the stove. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and he was wearing a white wife-beater that looked absolutely fine on him.

Michael nodded. "Yeah."

It didn't take a genius to know he was uncertain. "Michael, what is it now?" I asked, dropping off of the counter and approaching him by the stove.

"It's nothing."

I didn't want to push him so I nodded and turned around, heading back to jump on the counter when Jermaine entered the kitchen, in his usual attire and hair. "It smells good, and Michael, may I ask why you're cooking?" Jermaine asked his brother, going over and picking at a steaming cooked pancake.

"We can't make all the chefs cook all the time." Michael answered in that low-toned sweet voice.

"Yes we can."

I whirled, stopping in my steps when Charles entered the kitchen, also in a tank. But while Michael was barefoot, he was wearing a hat and shoes.

"Now get away from the stove, son and get ready for tomorrow." Charles sat at the middle-kitchen table, stuffing blueberries from the fruit bowl into his mouth.

Michael obediently turned off the stove, leaving an uncooked pancake in the pan. I felt like punching the control that Charles had on Michael away.

"What does he mean? What's tomorrow?" I asked in a hushed whisper, which was no use because Charles had heard me.

"It's the anniversary of his brother's death." He pinned Michael with a burning gaze.

A painful gasp left Michael's throat before he rushed away, obviously hurt by his father's statement.

I leaned against the counter Charles was sitting at, pushing away the fruit bowl and pinning him with my own gaze. "Blaming Michael for Rowan's death is not going to get you through this." I said harshly. "How do you feel about losing two sons? Or maybe three? I'm pretty sure Jermaine is not okay with the way you drink and abuse your son."

And with that, I stomped away.