We entered backstage, or rather, a state of pure chaos. There were crew rushing around with costumes, hair products and everything else in between. It was a dizzy scene and I couldn't help but think how stars were able to put up with all this rushing around, with hardly any time for a break.

I must have lost concentration while being lost in my own thoughts because when I looked down to check on Destiny, she wasn't holding my hand. In fact, she was nowhere to be seen.

"Destiny!" I shouted. I frantically asked the security if they had seen one of the girls slip out of the group but they had been too busy guiding the other children through the hustle and bustle to notice.

"I'll go find her ma'am" one security member offered.
"I'm sorry but I have to go find her myself. She only responds to me, it's nothing personal, she's just, well- look, just keep the others from wandering off please?" Without further delay I ran in the first logical direction I could find.

I pushed my way past large cases and clothing rails, looking everywhere. How could I have been so irresponsible? I might lose my job if they knew what I had let happen, all because I was always living in dreamworld.

Suddenly I heard a small squeal. A little girl's voice, but Destiny? Without thought I darted in the direction of this tinkling laughter and there she was, playing with a young looking security guard.

"Destiny!" I run over to her and got down to her level "I can't believe you ran off like that, don't ever do that to me again ok sweetheart?"

"It's ok Maria I was playing with Michael!" Her eyes twinkled, I had never seen her this happy before. I turned to the man who had been playing with Destiny

"Thank you Michael, I was really worried" He looked bewildered

"Excuse me? I'm sorry but I'm not Michael, unless you were addressing Jackson over there"

I looked in the direction he was gesturing towards and my heart slammed to a stop. Peeking out of two legs of makeup staff were two white sparkling socks.
My gaze rose and to my sheer astonishment there he sat with a playful smile on his face.

"Destiny's a sweet child, very sweet, playful too, right Matt?" I couldn't believe how beautiful his voice was, so soft and light, like he was singing all the time.

The man chuckled. "Yeah Mike a real cute kid"

I didn't know what to say. I looked at Destiny, who was beaming from the praise.

"Maria? Maria, is that your name?" I was dumbstruck. Michael Jackson was speaking to me?
"Y-yeah, Maria. Maria Rose, sir"
"Well Maria Rose, are you planning on getting off the floor anytime soon? I wouldn't want you to spoil your uniform"

I had completely forgotten that I was still kneeling on the floor. "oh right, yes, sir".

Laughing lightly, he swiftly dismissed his crew and rose out of his chair, before offering me his hand. Shakily, I took it and was soon on my feet.
Almost immediately, I felt Destiny tugging at my shirt again. I bent to pick her up and she nuzzled into my shoulder. This was the Destiny I was used to.

"I just wanted to say thank you for giving Destiny a great time. I've honestly never seen her so happy. The other children too. I really appreciate your generosity sir" I held his gaze for a while before he smiled brightly
"Anything for the children. And call me Michael, please? Sir makes me feel too important."

I laughed inwardly at the irony of his words.

"I really do like your uniform, it's so different from other nurse's clothes. It's not a tunic is it? No I like it. I want one of those. Could I buy one? It's perfect, yeah I'd love one of those, I saw them on the other nurses when I came by and I really liked it then too"

I looked down at what I was wearing. It wasn't anything spectacular but it was much nicer than most uniforms I had witnessed.
"I'm sure I could get you one if you really want Si-Michael, but not right now, we only carry spare clothes for the children" I couldn't quite believe what he was asking.

"Oh sure, sure. Hey listen, give me your number and I can arrange another visit. If you don't mind that is, it's just I don't like going through the receptionist, the press always gets wind of everything and I would like one visit without a mob"

There was amusement in his tone, but I really couldn't help noticing a glimmer of sadness in his eyes. I gave him my card and he beamed the most captivating smile.

"Now where are the other kids Maria? I really would like to meet all of my guests of honour"

Good question, I thought.