Chapter Eight
November 19th, 2002
Today's a regular day just like the rest. I spent it coming up with different choreography ideas for the tour. Prince spent it dreaming up different stage prototypes. After a long day of doing that we make it a point to sit down in front of the tv and watch The Simpsons. One of our guilty pleasures. We're laughing at Itchy and Scratchy when Romeo comes into the living room looking like the bearer of bad news.
" Sorry to interrupt boss but I think you need to turn on the news. " He says after a moment.
" What's going on Rome? " I ask in confusion.
He couldn't look me in the eyes so I know It's bad. Prince grabs the TV remote and turns the news on.
And just like that, my mood changes. There on the television, is my father, dangling my eight-month-old brother off of a balcony. I can't do anything but watch in horror.
" What the hell is he thinking! " I yell when I finally find my voice.
Getting up I run to get my cell. Dialing the number I was given, I scream in defeat when it goes straight to voicemail. I need to know my siblings are okay and he turns his phone off what the fuck?!
" Mama please calm down. " Prince says trying to soothe the beast.
I shake my head as angry tears fly down my cheeks. " No! He has gone too far this time P! Way too far! " I say before storming away from everyone.
Later that night Prince brought up some food on a tray for me. I've been laying in my bed for a few hours rejecting all of his advances to talk about it. It's not like he didn't hear the screaming earlier.
My dad finally called me back after hours of calling him non stop. Many harsh words were said. Paired with tears and apologies on his part. He assured me that the kids are fine and he promised to leave the kids out of it from here on out.
It still pisses me off though. As if we need any more bad press, he goes and does this shit. No one is perfect but I at least thought he had more sense than that. Who dangles a baby off of a balcony? Especially when one is being filmed for a documentary? It really burns my grits to think about.
" Mama you have to eat. " He says after a few moments of silence.
I turn over to finally look at him. His gaze drills holes into me. Effectively sending a shock to my nervous system.
" What did you bring me? " I whisper.
The intense look fades from his beautiful face and is replaced with a smile. Setting the tray in front of me I can clearly see what he made. " Mac N Cheese with whole wheat toast and orange juice. "
The combination is a little weird, something tells me that he put forth some effort so I won't give him a hard time. " Thanks, babe. I love Mac N Cheese. " I say before taking a bite.
" Anything for you mama. " He says laying down next to me to watch me eat.
It's a little annoying at first, but I haven't eaten all day so I don't really care.
" Do you want to talk about what happened? " He asks softly.
I finish my food and set the tray off to the side. Crawling into his arms I let my limbs become entangled in his. " I just want to be here. In your arms. Safe from the world. "
" All I want is for you to let me be here for you. You can't keep everything bottled up mama. It's not healthy. " He says rubbing my back soothingly.
I shake my head trying to fight the relaxing feeling. " Like how you talk to me about what you're going through? "
" Hush. I'm perfectly okay right here with you, That's all I need. " He swears as my breathing evens out.
I hmmed loving his warm hands on me. " Then let's be happy. No more secrets, no more hiding things. I love you and I want to be with you. "
His hands stop for a moment. " I love you more than anything you know that. There are some things I need to keep to myself for now. Including what we have going on. "
My whole body goes frigid. Getting up I glare down at him. " Excuse me? You want to keep me a secret? "
" It's not like that mama. Come lay back down. " He says pulling me back into his arms. " I'm not saying that mama. " He sighs out.
My whole body was hot from the emotion going through me. Hot tears threatened to spill from my eyes at the thought of being his secret.
" Then what are you saying? I thought everything was fine. " I squeak.
His arms around me tighten. " Oh, baby everything is fine. Is it so hard to believe that I want you all to myself before going public? "
" You'll never have me all to yourself Spud. It's just unrealistic. " I say getting comfortable again.
Of course, I know he's full of shit. When we were together the first time he wanted to tell the world... Now he wants to keep things hush hush. I'll let it slide for now but I will get him to tell me what's going on and soon.
December 25th, 2002
" Happy birthday Bibi! "
The crowd at Tao's scream at me. Instead of having the party at Neverland this year I convinced my dad to have a huge charity event here in the most popular club in Vegas. We have the VIP locked down for my friends and family, but in a few, I'll be heading down to a little meet and greet with fans.
It's not a bad trade. The club gets exposure, we raise money for charity, and I get to celebrate my birthday lavishly for free. WIn/Win/Win. Prince even flew in with me to celebrate. He's not coming to the party, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he has something planned for our after party.
We've been partying it up for a while when I hear my father's voice over the mic. " Attention! Attention everyone! "
As if he really needs to say it twice. Once everyone hears his voice they know what to do.
" I would just like to thank everyone for coming out to not only celebrate my oldest daughter's birthday, but I was just informed that all of the donations received tonight have been counted and we have raised over a million dollars for the children's hospital! "
I clapped the hardest I swear. When we asked that the guests to put their money where their mouths are instead of bringing gifts, I never expected anything like this.
" Now as the clock strikes midnight, I'd like to start off the musical part of the show. If you don't mind I'd like to start off with a little song I wrote a few years after she was born. It's called You Are My Life. " He says before the music starts to play.
I come to the balcony railing to get a good spot to watch. It seems like a lifetime ago that he played this song for me for the first time. And whenever I've heard it since tears are shed.
Once all alone. I was lost in a world of strangers. No one to trust. On my own, I was lonely.
You suddenly appeared. It was cloudy before but now it's clear. You took away the fear. You brought me back to life
You are the sun. You make me shine. Or more like the stars. That twinkle at night
You are the moon. That glows in my heart. You're my daytime my nighttime my world.
You're my life
Now I wake up every day With this smile upon my face. No more tears, no more pain 'cause you love me.
You help me understand. That love is the answer to all that I am. And I'm a better man cause you taught me by sharing your life.
You are the sun. You make me shine. Or more like the stars that twinkle at night. You are the moon that glows in my heart. You're my daytime my nighttime my world. You're my life.
You gave me strength when I wasn't strong. You gave me hope when all hope is lost. You opened my eyes when I couldn't see, love was always here waiting for me.
You are the sun. You make me shine. Or more like the stars. That twinkle at night
You are the moon. That glows in my heart. You're my daytime my nighttime my world.
You're my life
I wipe the tears from my face and try to be the loudest one cheering for him. He points to where I am and smiles.
" Happy birthday Bianca. I love you. " He says. " Let me introduce your next surprise act. One of your best friends that may or may not have said he couldn't make it tonight. "
Just then the intro to I Get Around starts playing and a huge cheesy grin is plastered on his face. My heart soars in joy. What a sneaky little man he is!
" I want y'all to give it up for my homegirl Bibi Jackson! Throw em up throw em up throw em up! Happy birthday, girl! "
Back to get wrecked. All respect to those who break their neck to keep their hoes in check. 'Cause oh they sweat a brother majorly. And I don't know why your girl keeps paging me
She tells me that she needs me, cries when she leaves me. And every time she sees me, she squeeze me, lady take it easy. Hate to sound sleazy, but tease me, I don't want it if it's that easy
Ay yo bust it, baby got a problem saying bye-bye. Just another hazard of a fly guy. You ask why, don't matter, my pockets got fatter. Now everybody's looking for the latter. And ain't no need in being greedy.
If you wanna see me dial the beeper number baby when you need me. And I'll be there in a jiffy. Don't be picky, just be happy with this quickie. But when you learn, you can't tie me down.
Baby doll, check it out, I get around.
What you mean you don't know? I get around.
The Underground just don't stop for hoes, I get around.
Still down with the Underground, I get around.
Yeah, ay yo Shock, let them hoes know.
Now you can tell from my everyday fits, I ain't rich.. So cease and desist with them tricks. (Tricks) I'm just another black man caught up in the mix. (Mix) Trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents. (A dime and a nickel)
Just 'cause I'm a freak don't mean that we could hit the sheets. Baby I can see, that you don't recognize me. I'm Shock G, the one who put the satin on your panties. Never knew a hooker that could share me, I get around
What's up love, how you doing? (All right) Well I've been hanging singing, trying to do my thing. Oh, you heard that I was banging. Your home girl you went to school with, that's cool. But did she tell you about her sister and your cousin? Thought I wasn't
See, weekends were made for Michelob. But it's a Monday, my day, so just let me hit it, yo. And don't mistake my statement for a clown. We can keep in the down low long as you know, that I get around
2Pacalypse Now don't stop for hoes, I get around
Why I ain't call you? Ha ha, please
Finger tips on the hips as I dip, gotta get a tight grip, don't slip. Loose lips sink ships, it's a trip. I love the way she licks her lips, see me jocking. Put a little twist in her hips 'cause I'm watching
Conversations on the phone 'til the break of dawn. Now we all alone, why the lights on? Turn 'em off, time to set it off, get you wet and soft. Something's on your mind, let it off
You don't know me, you just met me, you won't let me. Well if I couldn't have it (silly rabbit) why you sweating me? It's a lot of real G's doing time 'cause a groupy bit the truth and told a lie.
You picked the wrong guy baby if you're too fly. You need to hit the door, search for a new guy 'cause I only got one night in town. Break out or be clown, baby doll are you down?
Hey Bibi?He calls out to me with a huge smile.He puts his hand to his heart and says. I get around!
I roll my eyes and blow him a kiss. He laughs before speaking again after the music fades.
" Okay, I need everyone in this mother fucka to give it up for Bibi's twenty-eighth birthday. " The crowd goes crazy and he stands there nodding his head in approval. " We love you girl! Happy birthday! I'll see you backstage! " He says before leaving the stage waving at the crowd.
I love it! This is well on it's way to being the best birthday I've ever had! My dad has really outdone himself. He takes the stage once more and looks directly at me.
" This last surprise is not just from myself. I hope you like it... " He says walking off as the lights dim.
Dearly inebriated
Oh. My. God. No, he didn't. Yes, he did. He comes out on the stage with a few of his band members and they take their places.
This one is for you Bibi.
He says before they start playing my favorite song. Of his that is.
Wherever you go, whatever you do. Oh please, remember that I'll always be there for you. You don't have to call, you don't have to say. Just think about me and I'll be on my way.
I don't have to worry, I'm sure you'll be fine. Cause if you stay happy, then what's yours is mine. Wherever you go, whatever you do. Remember that I'll always be there for you
(Oh Baby)
Wherever you are, think of your dreams. Oh please, remember life ain't always what it seems. For each rainy day. (rainy day) That comes your way. The sun will come shining and you'll be okay.
Keep on smiling, every girl and boy. Remember when you were children you had toys. Wherever you are, think of your dreams. Remember that dreams become the life you lead.
Whatever you play, it's okay to lose. Oh sometimes. (sometimes) As long as you learn from every game you choose. If one thing is sure, you'll always endure. If you try your best at everything you do
Say what you mean and mean what you say. The price for a broken heart, it's to much to pay. And nothing is worth it, if you don't have to try.
The higher the stakes, the higher the sky
Wherever you go, whatever you do. Please remember. Remember that I'll always be there for you.
I can't believe he came! He never celebrates birthdays and he actually came! This really is the best birthday I've ever had!