Rochelle’s POV

“You’re going.” She told me. I guess I didn’t really have a say in what I was doing. I knew I did but I didn’t think I’d ever hear the end of it. Still… I tried to protest.

“But-” I started to say

“Uh, uh. Oh no you don’t. No buts, you’re going on tour with him.” Naomi said again, taking a sip of her drink. We’d decided to just talk about it over an early lunch, before I got Tyler. I’d mentioned it and she’d freaked when I told her I wasn’t going.

“Why do you want me to go so bad?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Because you miss him, girl. And I know you wanna go and badly. So why not?” She said, nonchalantly. As if it was no big deal. Like I WASN’T going away for a whole year or so. She did realize I’d be gone that long… right?

“You do understand that if I go… it’d be for a whole year… maybe longer?” I said

“So?”

“Which means I’d be away from the shop…” I tried again.

“So?” She said again.

“But-”

“What did I say about the word but?”

I sighed. “None. Right. I got it.” I said

“Exactly. You Know Rochelle, you worry too much. You only live once, girl. Go enjoy. You’ve got more reasons to go then not to go.” She said

I guess I did. “Yeah… I guess I do.” I said, slowly giving in.

“See? Don’t worry about the shop, I got it, I can manage it while you’re gone. If I need you, you’re only a phone call away.” She said “Which reminds me.” She removed her hands from the top of the table and took a lavender gift bag from where it was resting on her lap, sitting it on the table, “I got this for you this morning, it might be handy while you’re away.”

I blinked at her, looking at the bag as if it were a foreign object to me.

“Don’t just stare, open it.” She said, pushing the gift bag closer to me.

“Um… ok…” I took the bag and moved the lavender tissue paper aside to pull out…a cell phone. Was she crazy!? “A-a cell phone b-but this must’ve been so expensive wh~”

“Because I love you, that’s why.” She said with a smile.

“Naomi…” I started to say.

“You’re protesting a lot today.” She cut me off before I could finish. I was being cut off a lot today too.

I looked down at the black Nokia. I still couldn’t believe it.

“Now, I’ve already got it turned on and programmed. We can stay in contact through these.” She said with a smile.

“Um, thanks, Naomi. I really appreciate it.” I said, still dumbfounded. She was far too much sometimes.

“You’re welcome” She said, taking a sip of the cold iced tea sitting just a little away from her. I put the phone away in my purse, knowing I had to talk to Tyler next. I was actually doing this… I couldn’t believe it.

“Now, if you need anything, you’ll definitely call me, right?” I said

“Of course.” She said with a smile.

“Alright… we better get going, I have a little curly headed boy I still need to talk to.” I said with a small smile.

She laughed and we hurried to my car to begin our drive to my parents’ house, during the summer, when he was off from school he stayed with them until I finished work.  I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to explain us going on tour with Michael Jackson. I was still trying to wrap my head around it myself. I just hoped I wasn’t making a huge mistake.

“We’re…what?” He asked me with clear confusion in his tone.

“We’re going away with Michael on tour… he’s a… old friend of mine.” I explained again.

“I can’t believe it!! Michael Jackson! We’re going to be on TOUR with Michael Jackson!!” Tyler’s voice jumped an octave from his excitement and his eyes sparkled brightly. “D-do you think he’d teach me to moonwalk!? Can I ask him!? Do you think he’d mind, mommy!?”

I couldn’t help but laugh quietly at his cuteness. “I don’t know, sweetie, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you asking.” I said with a smile

“Oh yay!! We’re gonna have so much fun! I’ve always wanted to see the rest of the world!” He said with a grin, it was true he wanted to travel and see everywhere. He often talked about that and he always swore when he got older he’d do just that. His curiosity was great, he was always curious about everything, ever since he was little. I loved how open-minded he was.

“I know you have.” I said “But Tyler… please understand that Michael will be very busy. He may not be around as much as you want him to be…”

“I know. I understand.” He said with a smile

“Well… alright. Make sure to be courteous, say please and thank you. Don’t expect to be going places all the time and Michael spending a fortune on you, alright?”

“Yes, mamá, I know. I won’t be disrespectful and I won’t expect him to buy me anything”

“Ok.” I said, ruffling his hair. He leaned away quickly and then ran off.

“Bet you can’t catch me, mommy!!” He called, I laughed and chased after him. I wasn’t sure I would catch him though, he was very quick on his feet.

“Come back here, my little cheetah!” I said, chasing him outback. He giggled and darted behind the one large tree, I pretended not to see him. I looked around and tapped my lips with my pointer finger. “Hmm… where oh where has my Tyler gone. I could’ve sworn he was back here….”

I walked forward slowly, pretending to look around. “Oh Tyyyyyler…” I called, I heard him giggle in response. I smiled at that, his laughter made my heart melt. “Hmm, guess I’ll go sit and wait…” I said, turning, pretending to start forward, I watched from the corner of my eye and after a few steps, he came from behind the tree, biting his lip, trying not to laugh.

            I grinned and whirled around, running over and pulling him into my arms. “Gotcha!” I exclaimed before tickling him.

“N-no Mommy!!!” He cried, bursting into a fit of giggles. He was a very ticklish little boy.

“Yes, baby!!” I said, laughing and continuing.

He continued to protest as I did this. It was only a few minutes before I stopped, letting him catch his breath but continuing to laugh.

He grinned at me. “You’re silly!” He said, gently tugging on a lock of my hair.

“I know I am but then, so are you.” I said with a warm smile. He giggled at that and hugged me tightly; I hugged him back, slowly calming down.

Tyler pulled back after that and took my hand, gently pulling me back to the house.

“I guess you’re hungry now, huh?” I asked, amused.

“Yup!” He said, continuing to pull me.

I laughed and let him lead me into the kitchen. I let go of his hand and kissed the top of his head before starting to dig around the kitchen for something to make.

“So what are you in the mood for?” I asked him.

“Hmm… can we have fried chicken?” He asked. I guess I couldn’t be surprised by that question, he loved fried chicken, when I was pregnant with him, he had made me crave that all the time.

“I suppose.” I said, laughing.

“Yes!” He exclaimed, causing me to laugh more. I got started on that and he helped me with what he could. “Mommy…” He asked after a bit.

I stopped, hesitating on answering him. After what he’d asked me before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. “…Yes…?” I said, finally answering him.

“Well um… how come you never mentioned being friends with Michael Jackson before?” He asked

I bit my lip. “Oh well… we were friends a long time ago… long before you were born and we… fell out of touch when our lives took their course… so I guess it slipped my mind.” I explained

“Oh.” He said “Well I’m glad you are, I bet he’s really cool!”

I laughed “He is and really funny.” I said

He smiled at that “Do you think he’ll find my jokes funny?” He asked

“I think he will” I said

“Yay, I can’t wait to tell him them!” He exclaimed.

I laughed more at that and finished up with dinner, setting our plates up. We talked a bit more as we ate and then Tyler decided to go play with his toys. I sat on the couch and pulled out the cell phone Naomi had bought me. I had to call him and tell him that we’d go with him.

I felt nervous. What if he was busy? I mean he might be in the middle of a concert…or sleeping… or rehearsals or….anything. Maybe I could just let him call me...

Or maybe I was being silly. He’d told me where he was the last time we spoke. Where had he said he was…in…in…LONDON! I looked at the clock. London was five hours ahead of Miami so that meant it was around eleven something there. He might be up…right? I took a deep breath and dialed Michael’s personal number. Please tell me he’s up….

Michael’s POV

One more show and then I’d be able to relax a bit. I could use a little relaxation. My body ached from tonight’s show and the adrenaline still coursed through my veins. It always did. I sighed as I lay in bed. I willed my eyes to close and prayed for the adrenaline to die down so I could rest.

The room was dead silent when I heard a shrilling sound. I jolted up with wide eyes, startled by the sound. It took me a second to realize it was only my cell phone. I laughed at myself and answered it. “Hello?” I asked, it had to be someone I knew, this was my private line.

There was some hesitation on the other end. I blinked at that. “Hello? Is anyone there?” I tried again.

I heard someone clear their throat softly. “Hi Mike. I didn’t wake you, did I?” She asked. Recognition flickered in my head instantly at the sound of Rochelle’s light Spanish accent. I smiled.

“No, you didn’t wake me.” I said, amused. She always worried too much.

“Oh… good.” She let a nervous chuckle.

I became serious once I’d noticed how nervous she was. “Are you okay, Rochelle?” I asked worriedly.

“Yeah. I was just worried you were sleeping or… busy and….so yeah.” I could almost see her biting her lip and blushing faintly.

“Well no need to worry any farther, girl. Now is the perfect time for you to call.” I said, trying to get her to relax.

She chuckled again but it was that same nervous chuckle. What was with her today? “Right. Um… I actually…wanted to talk to you…” She said, trailing off.

“Right. Well I kind’ve figured you wanted to talk to me, if you called me. Unless you accidentally did it.” I said with a smile.

I could see her playful frown at my sarcastic remark. “Oh hush! I will hang up on you, Jackson! I’ve done it in the past!” She said. There was my Rochelle.

I laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ll be good.” I said

“Good.” She said with a smile in her voice.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “So what’s going on?” I asked

“Well… remember when you… asked me if I wanted to join you and I said I’d have to get back to you about it?” She said, completely serious.

I became serious as well and… a bit nervous I might add. I’d been trying to figure out if I’d messed up when I asked her that. And lately it had started feeling like that from how our conversation had ended last time. “Yes?” I asked

“Well I talked to Naomi… and she said it was okay, if she needed anything she’d call and I figured I could take stuff with me…and Tyler is more than excited so… I’ll see you soon?” She said

I couldn’t help but smile widely at that. They were coming! They were really coming! “Great! Well… I have some time off. You can take my jet to get here and I’ll send a car to get you when you land. Once you get here, we can head over to Cardiff.” I said. I had wanted to spend some time in London anyway so this worked out well.

“Ok. I guess you’ll give me all the information I’ll need?” She asked

“Of course. I’ll schedule the jet to get you on Saturday, that’ll give you a little time to pack and get ready and then Monday we’ll leave for Cardiff.” I said, already forming the plans. “Will that be alright?”

“I suppose…” She said

“Are you sure?” I asked

“Yeah, of course”

I bit my lip. “Rochelle….” I sighed “You don’t have to come if you don’t want too. I know this is a lot…”

“No, Michael. I do wanna go. Really.”

“Alright…”

“I told you, Michael. You worry too much.” She said with a smile in her tone.

I laughed. “Oh yeah, you’re one to talk, you ain’t no better yourself girl!”

Now it was her turn to laugh at that. “Oh, whatever.”

I laughed more and then calmed down. We talked for awhile that night when I decided it was time to turn in for the night. I knew tomorrow would be a busy day. I said my goodbyes and got ready for bed, thankfully falling asleep the moment I laid back down.

Flashback to 1984: