Being with Michael: Part 1 (Book Two)

Chapter Fifty Seven

By the next morning it's all viral. Two pictures taken by a girl are plastered on every television screen, along with a still caught from a reporter's camera that shows Michael looking back as he enters the hospital with tears already forming in his eyes.

Every news station is reporting the story: Paige Jackson, 28, was admitted to the hospital at 11:45 p.m. on July 2. Her husband, King of Pop Michael Jackson, was present and appeared to be quite distressed as he entered the Emergency Room. Pictures caught by a fellow waiter in the ER show another man shedding tears along with Jackson. The two both seem to be at the hospital for Paige, but the relation between the two is unknown at the moment. Despite the efforts of reporters on site and attempts by stations to contact Jackson's representatives, the cause for the visit remains unknown, also. The public sits and waits in anticipation for more information about yet another seemingly tragic event for Paige and the Jacksons. A common question that many civilians have is: Is this incident caused by the same people who caused Paige's previous accident? Almost a year ago, both Paige and Michael's daughter, Paris, were involved in a high speed car accident caused by a group, popularly referred as "terrorists" by fans and the public alike, protesting against the family and the then two-year marriage of the couple. The accident placed both Paige and Paris in the hospital, but Paris only suffered minor injuries. Paige, on the other hand, was left in fatal condition, suffering from brain damage which kept her in a coma for two months. Upon awakening, it was discovered that Paige had also injured her spine, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down on the left side of her body. It has been rumored that she attends physical therapy every day, hoping someday she will recover and possibly become a dancer once again.

Janet stares at the TV screen as a reporter reads off the story in front of the pictures taken of Michael and Jason. The feed then moves to a reporter standing outside the hospital. He speaks into his microphone as he points to the entrance, "So far, the hospital has blocked all media personnel from entering to ensure the safety of patients and families, and of course, Michael Jackson. He has not yet made an appearance and right now we are all trying to figure out just what happened. I'm Dan Kerr, reporting live from here at the hospital and I will provide you with live updates as they come along. Back to you, Sarah."

The screen flashes back to the reporter, Sarah, who begins talking to a "professional" doctor giving his opinion on the possible health consequences for Paige. Janet grabs the remote and flicks the TV off, not wanting to hear anymore.

She walks away from the kitchen counter and walks into her bedroom where her husband is. "Wissam," she says. "Michael's on the news."

Wissam looks up at her. "Oh no," he begins to say. Then he changes the direction of what he began to say, "What happened?"

Janet bites her lips as she thinks about the news report. Then she looks him in the eye. "There's pictures everywhere showing him walking into a hospital and then of him hugging some guy and crying," she says.

Wissam takes one step toward her. "Do they know who it is in the hospital?"

Janet nods, "It's Paige."

Wissam's eyes widen and Janet doesn't even wait for a response. She takes her cellphone out of her pocket and dials.

The call's picked up and Janet says into the phone, "Momma? Have you seen the news?"

Katherine answers, "Joe and I are watching it right now..."

Then she says, "I just can't believe this." Janet can imagine her mom putting a hand up to her face, as if that will help ease the shock and worry.

Janet asks her, "Has Michael called you?"

Her mom answers, "No, he hasn't. Has he contacted you?"