Michael Thought in his head that he must have said something inappropriate that his children shouldn't have heard but he hoped it wasn't too bad and nothing that they would remember. He slowly opened the kitchen door to his three children sitting there.
'Did any of you guys need me to make som---'
'I made them breakfast' Paris said in a quick harsh voice. I haven't had anything, I wasn't hungry. Paris shot a sarcastic smile at him and continued reading her magazine.
'Daddy, what's shit?' blanket questioned for his innocent mind knew no such words.
'It's nothing important!'Michael replied sharply, he knew he said something. 'Paris do you want some toast now?' She didn't reply, she didn't even look up. He thought he would ask again. 'Paris? Do you want some toast?' this time she flicked her eyes up at him wearing a small smirk but she didn't answer. Michael knew this girl was toying with him! But still he decided to ask until he would get a reply, he knew this would piss her off and eventually she would say something. 'PARIS DO YOU WANT SOME TOAST!' he yelled at her as if she was deaf. Then with much anger she threw her magazine across the kitchen and yelled back.
'NO I DON'T WANT ANY DAMN TOAST, I DON'T WANT ANYTHING FROM YOU!' she snapped. Michael got winded as if someone had just kicked him in the chest and his mouth fell agape with raised eyebrows while prince and blanket mirrored the look with true horror in their eyes as they watched their sister.
'HOW CAN YOU COME IN HERE EVERY MORNING AND PRETEND LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED THE PREVIOUS NIGHT? IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY NOTICED WE DON'T NEED YOU TO TAKE CARE OF US. WE TAKE CARE OF US! SO YOU MAY AS WELL DISSAPEAR RIGHT OUT OF OUR LIVES! BUT OFCORSE WE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO SO I GUESS WE ARE STUCK HERE WITH… WACKO JACKO!' Paris had tears in her eyes now because she was getting everything off of her mind and she knew she was now in serious trouble.
Michael breathed slowly. He didn't know how to react, he had never been spoken to like this by any of his children before and especially never from Paris because she had always been his 'little angle' he didn't do anything, he just… breathed. He glared at her with searching eyes. He didn't think she knew how much her words had hurt him especially when she called him that… that…NAME! He angrily stormed towards her and raised his hand ready to strike; Paris braced herself for the impact. But just before Michaels hand reached her he remembered the promise he had kept to himself to never lay a finger on his children. He froze, his hand still in mid air and instead of slapping paris like he had intended he hugged her meaningfully and kissed the top of her head. Prince and blanket both breathed a sigh of relief. 'I love you and I'm sorry I haven't been there for you Paris. I'm trying.'
Paris wept into her dad's shirt.
'Then promise me that you will stop drinking and bringing groupies home with you every other night' she demanded frantically. As much as Michael wanted to make that promise, he knew he couldn't because he 'needed' those things. He needed the alcohol for a temporary release of his inner and outer pain and when he got pissed enough he would become a different person and that was good for Michael because he wanted desperately to be anyone but himself. He also needed the groupies to give him a release of his sexual tension. He stayed silent and Paris was deeply upset by his lack of an answer. She pushed him away from her and ran off to a place that would no doubt be her room. Michael allowed his arms to fall limply by his side and there was a long awkward silence where he could feel the eyes of his sons behind him. After a minute or so he turned, took a deep breath and sat at the table where Prince and blanket stared at him with wide eyes.
'Was their anything you guys wanted to do today because it's my day off' Michael tried to seem enthusiastic but his mood was now so low it probably came across as uninterested.
'Dad I don't like you being crazy like yesterday. I like my old dad the one who liked kar--'
'What about you Blanket?' Michael completely cut off what Prince was saying and Prince shook his head and left.
Blanket also shook his head and left with 'Get well soon daddy'
Michael again was left alone in the huge kitchen and then realized that the size and decoration of it didn't matter at all when you have no one to enjoy it with. Michael thought way back to his childhood when he had started an argument with his own father which had major consequences.
'Okay and that's it for A.B.C everybody take a break and Michael work on that note because it sounds a little off' the director shouted from the empty audience. The Jackson 5 were off to take a break in which to practice some more which really didn't feel like a break at all. Little Michael was sluggishly making his way off stage to back stage where he knew his father had been watching and waiting. Michael had been traveling for most of the morning but he was just an active kid and couldn't sleep while trees and cars were whipping past outside. But now that he was doing nothing but rehearsal after rehearsal he grew bored and very tired which in turn affected his voice and made it quiet and dead. He knew that he was in for a 'few words' from his dad. 'Ya'll better get it right next time or when we get back to the hotel you'll be in for an evening wit my belt' Joseph warned. There was nothing Joseph hated more than for his kids to be thought of as just another band and so he always pushed them further than their limits. When Michael joined the group his father stood up straight and beckoned Michael over 'Come here Michael we need to have a few words' Michael followed his dad to a quiet room where just him and his father stood. 'Now Michael you know that you have to try your best no matter how hard you think it is.'
'But dad I'm tired' Michael protested. Joseph came closer and leaned down to Michael's level.
'Listen boy, now I don't care if you're on your death bed, now you're gonna be the best!'
'But dad if I could jus--' Michael didn't have time to finish his sentence as Joe had slapped him so hard across his face that he was facing the other way.
'I'm not dad! I'm Joseph to you. Michael look at me… you will be the best!'
Michael did turn slightly but only so that Joseph wouldn't kick his face into the wall and this position would give him time to put his arms out and shield himself if he did. But no matter what Michael was not going to let his father win that easily.
'Joseph… if you hit me again I'm not performing.'
'What the hell did you just say?'
'I said if you hit me again I am not performing' Joseph was angry now and he knew that Michael was one of the biggest reasons why the Jackson 5 were so successful and if there was no Michael there was no real show because Michael had to be the lead singer and after all he was basically the show. But Joseph couldn't help his anger and would not let himself be spoken to like that from a kid. He took his boot off faster than Michael could run and threw it with as much power as he could across the room. It hit Michael so hard that he fell over forwards and hit his head hard off of the wood floor.
'Boy this is why you should listen. 'Joseph walked over to Michael who was now shaking on the ground.
Michael's voice was barely a whisper 'I hate you'
'You wanna repeat that?' Joseph asked in a low voice.
'I SAID I HATE YOU!' Michael got up and tried to run but due to his nerve stricken legs he couldn't even coordinate properly. Joseph inevitably grabbed Michael by his throat and pushed him up against the wall with his feet inches off of the ground.
'You wanna say that again?' Joseph asked one last time. And Michael shouted in his last breathe .
'No!'
Joseph released him and let him fall to the ground gasping for air. Michael was gasping so violently that eventually he regurgitated. Joseph frowned and kicked him then dragged him upright by one arm.
'Now look what you did Michael! ,your lucky that these people have cleaners for that because if it were up to me you would be mopping it up with you shirt and walking home cold… YA HEAR ME?'
'Yes sir.' Michael was so scared that he answered immediately to avoid making his father angry again.
'Now Michael it doesn't have to be this way if you just listen to me. In an hour or so that stage is gonna be filled with people and they haven't come to see you make a fool of yourself, Michael your gonna be the best! You got that? '
'Yes sir 'Michael replied
'Now go on out there and do what I told ya'
'Yes sir' Michael was terrified and could hardly believe what his father had done. Before he had to go back onstage he went to the bathroom and cried, he cried for what seemed like days. Inconsolable and hurt Michael just kept on crying and after a while one of his brothers came in to comfort him. He didn't know who it was he didn't really care he just wanted cried.
XXXX
Michael left the kitchen and his saddening thoughts to go outside into the small park he had just outside of the enormous amusement park. He sat on the swings thinking, he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. Questions were running through his head. Did Joseph really hate me? Do my children really hate me? Do I really hate me?...
I hope this doesn't offend anyone! If it does I'm sorry, I'm just trying to get this done.I know that this is a little messed up and maybe I messed the part with Joe up but oh well I'm not American so I wouldn't know the sort of things he would say and how he would say them. I'm trying. I know that Michael is messed up right now and acts a lot different to how he does in real life but eventually that will change. Paris too and pleases remember to R&R. (and give me your opinions on the story so far)
