March 1994 New York City
New York City was still chilly in March. Snow was melting and the breeze still stung. Michael looked over Central Park from his Trump Tower apartment and felt lonely. His fiancée was back in Los Angeles for a week and then she had to fly to Florida to take care of her Scientology obligations. He had been in meetings all day, he was doing pre work on his new album. He had an idea for a teaser and even a title, but the songs weren't written and he hadn't started recording. Michael wanted to leave New York and go be with Lisa, but he had work to do. With so much time spent with Lisa, he felt weird and unbalanced if she wasn't near him. Plus, he got use to having sex with Lisa on a regular basis. They tried having phone sex, but it didn't do anything for Michael, it left him empty and frustrated. Lisa tried to make it as real as possible, but his touch felt nothing like hers. Michael's niece and nephews were with him, he wasn't completely lonely. He was helping his nephews start their group, they wanted to be with him while he was working on his album, to learn about the creative process. Michael walked to the bed and flopped on it. He was still looking out the window, the loneliness he was feeling was painful. Michael wanted to see Lisa, see her smile and hear her silly laugh. He missed her teasing about his laugh and his corny jokes. What he mostly missed about her, the way she made him feel. Michael felt alive and free around her. The first time Lisa ever farted in front of him, he was surprised. Lisa simply told him, "We're gonna spend the rest of our lives together. Get use to it buster." After that, Michael burped, farted, used the bathroom in front of her and walked around naked without feeling vulnerable or ashamed. Lisa never laughed or criticized him for any of his behaviors. The only thing she checked him on was his need to buy unnecessary things. Michael rolled on his back and looked up at the ceiling trying to flood his thoughts away from Lisa. Nothing was working. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something else, but he couldn't. His mind kept drifting back to Lisa. Michael smiled, he knew he was in love. What he was feeling was real and authentic. Michael hoped that Lisa was thinking of him. They had been a part for two weeks and for Michael it felt like an eternity.
Lisa Marie watched her son wobble across the marble floor of her Clear Water home. They had been in Clear water for a day and already she was ready to leave. She would have to spend a few days in Florida before she would fly to New York. The last time Lisa spoke to Michael, he sounded sad and lonely. She felt good that he missed her. He complained of his lack of sleep and the business meetings he had to attend. He sounded like a angry teenager. Lisa sat on the phone as long as he needed her to. The conversation ended like they always did, one of them singing the other a song.
"Someone sounds sleepy."
"Ben is walking and Riley is all over the place. They keep their mama busy."
"Give them a kiss for me."
"And what do I get?"
"More than a kiss. So what song do you want hear before we hang up?"
"That's right, it is your turn to sing. 'Sarah Smile' but change Sarah to Lisa."
Michael laughed. "You want me to sing the whole song?"
"Dude, you made me sing 'Portuguese Lover' and Teena Marie ain't easy to sing. So yeah, the whole thing, Jackson."
"Are you laying down? Are you ready for bed?"
"Baby, I'm drinking a glass of wine and I am sitting outside by the pool."
"What are you wearing?"
"Absolutely nothing."
"Girl, you are gonna make me take a flight down there. Stop playing."
"You asked. I am waiting for my song." Michael dramatically cleared his throat and started singing Hall and Oat's classic love song. After Michael finished, they told each other 'I love you' and they hung up the phone.
