February 10, 1987

Recap

What felt like the slow heart-racing moments shown in action movies suddenly became real as all of the sudden, I heard my own heart beating everywhere. I was ecstatic, yet petrified.

The many foot steps were approaching closer and closer every second. Then I saw the heels of Ms. Smith and the shiny loafers, exactly like the ones daddy wore when we had mama's funeral, start to turn to the doorway.

Slowly the mystery man appeared into the light.

Then, I saw him.

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I felt my entire being shift from ecstatic and petrified, from the anticipation of seeing this mystery guest, to pure excitement. My eyes widened, jaw dropped, and my hands became shakey and sweaty.

The mystery guest was the one and only Michael Jackson. A man loved by so many, a man so gentle that he would not harm a fly, yet he was standing here, in front of me, before my own eyes, visiting us. 

(A.N.: Reply to this if you understood the reference of the fly. If you know, you know.)

"Hello." 

He then giggled seeing all of our reactions to him standing there.

"Pleased to meet and see all of you. I am going to guess, based on your reactions, you know who I am."

We all nodded obediently. 

"I am here to spend the day with you all and I hope to spend some time with each of you to know you a little more. Does that sound like fun?"

I felt my smile grow bigger and bigger with his words, that I thought I was looking like the Cheshire Cat, and we all started jumping up and down with excitement.

"Alright children!! Piper down!"

Her voice, ugh-. Ms. Smith was such the party pooper.

"Mike, you might wanna hurry up and start now. Remember what's happening tomorrow."

"Frank, I know. We have plenty of time until tomorrow. There's no rush or hurry at the moment."

Frank. Who was this mystery man?

Ms. Smith then explained that Michael would be going around talking with us individually soon, and told us to go about our business. I stayed in the room for a minute to stare at him in admiration, then left to tend to the garden as it was the place, besides my bed, where I felt at peace here.

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Time, which felt like hours, had passed, and I had not had the chance to speak to him yet individually. I became nervous wondering if maybe he had already left or if Ms. Smith disregarded to tell him that I would be out here in the garden.

As I was smelling the various flowers in the garden, I heard his voice.

"Hello. May I speak to you?"

I stopped smelling the flowers and froze. I slowly stood up and turned to see him kind of kneeling to meet me eye to eye.

Timidly, I said, "Hi."

He giggled and smiled.

"I'm sure you know who I am. What is your name?"

"M-my name is O-Oakley M-Mae Johnson."

I wasn't sure how I started stuttering. Then I remembered that I was so nervous, that it was probably what took over. 

"That's a pretty name."

"T-thank y-you."

My mouth felt dry instantly. I felt the words I wanted to speak not leave. Yet, I felt the biggest toothy smile form on my face as I stared at him, still grasping the fact that he was in front of me.

He noticed the smile and gave me a smile back which gave me the feeling of hope, a feeling lost from losing my family.

"So Oakley. What is your favorite thing to do here?"

"I only have one favorite thing." I admitted to him.

"Oh? What's that?"

"When I try to stay away the meanies and Ms. Smith, I love to be out here in this garden. I feel at peace whenever I'm in the garden."

He frowned when I said the word meanies, but relief filled in his eyes when I talked about the garden.

He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by another man's voice. It sounded like the mystery man's voice. Frank. 

"Hey Mike! Time to go."

"Frank. I just started talking to this young girl. Can I have one more minute?"

"Michael. I know you want to stay, but we have to leave."

"But-"

"No buts Michael. Now."

Mr. Jackson turned back to me and gave me a sad smile. He apologized to me, then got up to leave.

I decided to give him a hug, despite the fact that I only got his legs. I felt him giggle and hug me back, then he was out of my reach.

"Bye Mr. Jackson!" 

"Bye Oakley! And please, call me Michael alright?"

"Yes Mr. J- I mean Michael."

We gave each other waves and soon he was gone behind the doors.

Just when I thought I could enjoy the bliss, I heard the agonizing voice of Ms. Smith leave her mouth.

"Child! I want you to stay in the garden and pull out any and all weeds! Do not come inside until my garden is spotless!"

And just like that, I was back in my reality.

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A.N: Hello readers! Hope everyone has had an amazing year. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy what it is you celebrate, and Happy Holidays! I intend to publish several chapters within the next few days to catch up. Thank you for bearing with me! Stay tuned for one of the chapters!