Book 4- 1968 (Michael Jackson)

Chapter 16- Donut Talk

                Chapter 16- Donut Talk

                Date: Tuesday, July 23, 1968

                Time: 8:05AM

                MICHAEL'S POV

"C'mon, c'mon, out! They scheduled the audition for earlier!"

"Joe, they've been up for five minutes. We could give them a little break. I mean, look at 'em. Looks like Jackie didn't get a lot of sleep." Bobby guided his hand to Jackie, who appeared to be dozing off as he stood up. His eyes opened lazily, not attempting to glance at anyone. He mumbled a couple inaudible phrases and closed his eyes once again.

"Yeah... Kayla is, too," I added. It was true; Kayla looked as though she was about to pass out. She had some big, dark bags under her eyes, and she just gave off a lazy vibe. I could tell that today was going to be interesting.

As everyone headed out the front door, I realized that this was it. We, my brothers and Kayla and I, were really going to our Boardwalk of the Monopoly game. He were going to something better than Boardwalk could ever offer. We were heading to Motown Studios, the place where our dreams could come true.

I held the doors for everyone when he trod out of the hotel. Breathing in the fresh air, I grinned widely. Detroit, Michigan... the place full of dreams and possibilities, where our own dreams may come true. Who knows, we could really get us out of Gary like Joseph says. We could even go to California, my Mommy's dream state.

There was a café next to the hotel, in which everyone slipped inside. Inside, there were numerous beautiful sights to behold, such as fresh donuts and muffins. Seemingly endless rows of danishes decorated the bottom shelf. My nose was overwhelmed with the wonderfully sweet scent of cream.

It was my own personal Heaven.

"Ooh," I whispered to Joseph. "That one over there looks good." I pointed to a beautiful, evenly glazed chocolate donut. "That looks real good."

"Well... I normally don't indulge, but today is  rare day. Eat what you want." He never looks my way.

My eyes brightened up upon hearing that. I got to have what I wanted, no matter what the price was? It had only been a day since my last donut. I got to have another, and a chocolate one at that? I must have been the luckiest kid on the face of the planet.

Joe went ahead and ordered the little pieces of Heaven as the rest of us, not including Bobby, made ourselves comfortable in some plush, spacious booths. Bobby had to head to the recording studio to talk something over with Mr. Gordy, so it was just the band and I. 

It was that moment that I registered the fact that Johnny wasn't here. It was true; Johnny was not with the group. In fact, I never even remembered Joseph telling Johnny about him tagging along with us on the trip. He was still back in Chicago, most likely savoring the couple days he got to spend with his family. He wouldn't have to see Joseph's grumpy face until tomorrow, in fact.

With each bite of my donut, I made a silent prayer. Please, please God, give us the ability to win tonight, to be our best. Please God, give us the charm to woo the whole crowd. Please God, we love you and forever cherish you, as if you were a father to us. Please. I would proceed to do the same thing to my next mouth-watering bite.

"Michael..." Marlon drawled. "Michael..."

I snapped out of my mini-trance of donuts and dreams. "Uh, yes?" I nibbled the glazed side.

"You've been sitting here for fifteen minutes, and you've barely touched your food. Is it no good?" He put his hands to his hips in a sassy manner.

"No, no!" I contradicted. "It's real good, Marlon. I was just thinkin' a little..."

"About today?" he asked.

I nodded slowly. "Mmhmm... hey, I've got a question."

"You may wanna ask Joseph. I know nothing, Michael... except that I am not afraid to sneak a bite of your donut if you don't shovel it in now." He licked his lips mischievously.

"Okay, okay!" I exclaimed, taking a large chomp. Through muffled words, I said, "I'll tell Joseph." I hobbled away from my seat and found my Dad, who was drinking some brewed coffee. "Hey Joseph," I started, swallowing my food, "Why isn't Johnny here?"

He shot me an incredulous look, but continued. "He's not here because he's not being auditioned today... I thought you knew that he was gone."

"No, I didn't," I replied sheepishly. "But I have another question."

"Mmhmm," he said slowly. He turned around to snatch his coffee mug, and chugged down a few gulps. "Continue..."

"So, Kayla's being auditioned, too?"

He stopped for a brief moment, as if he was thinking over what I just asked, contemplating on whether he should say what he initially thought or not. Taking in a deep breath, he straightened his posture and took another sip of coffee, this one much smaller.

After he put his cup down, he answered me. "Kayla isn't going to be auditioned."

"Oh... well, why is she here, then?" I could feel my shoulders tensing.

"We're gonna see if we can swing getting her into Motown. It's gonna be hard, there's no doubt about that. But she has only a minor role, and I'm sure she can be overlooks because of that. Plus, we're approaching a new era in society, where we're being accepted. Look at the Rat Pack!... Yes, Michael I'm sure things will go by smoothly."

The only thing that had me convinced was Joseph's enthusiasm. If he was excited, that meant that he could be right. My shoulders untensed, and the hint of worry I had dissipated into thin air. Satisfied, I headed back to my seat. 

I stared down at my delectable treat. Boy, it was so tempting... I could probably take this over Starburst, or even M&Ms. It was that good. I was very ready to take another bite out of the wonderful pastry, but my thoughts kept me from it.

Eve though Joe seemed so pumped and ready, anything was possible. That meant that Kayla may not be able to make it to the event. She may be rejected, and we may have to find a new organ player. We may never see Kayla again. 

But we couldn't just leave her like that. She was fundamental to our group. She gave us the definition of the Jackson 5. Her playing, her organ playing... I had never seen someone play an instrument like that, giving it so much personification and soul as if it were a human being. She was perfect for our band.

She wasn't like Milford, either. Unlike her, we could occasionally visit Milford, because our family had ties. Kayla was different, for she wasn't related to us in any way. She just popped out of nowhere, one day in my second grade. She was gift for our band, one that we had to cherish forever.

No... not a gift. Much more than a gift, she is. She's a friend, and part of our band. She's like family, but not. She's part of us, what makes the band function the way it does. No one else could replace what she has done for the band, I thought, my eyes narrowing with each word.

Well, I said inwardly, what's it gonna be, Motown? It's all of none... I think. Joseph may put up a fight, but I dunno. Heck knows that the whole band may put up a fight. Marlon would, and Jackie would, and I definitely would! I think Jermaine and Tito would be willing to battle Motown. I think... 

I could slowly feel myself becoming more and more apprehensive. This was a big deal.. a really big deal. Not only were we a kid group, but we're already trying to break boundaries, too.

But that wouldn't be such a bad thing... 

I sighed out of exasperation. But some people don't like change.