September 17, 1975

Michael POV

Manila, Phillipines

1:33 AM

"No, I'm exhausted. I gotta get back upstairs and call her before I go to sleep."

"You're gonna miss out. They haven't even released it yet!"

"I know man, I know..."

"This doesn't just happen for anybody. We get to test out the game! 'Colossal Cave Adventure' will be released with our blessing."

"Randy, I get it. I just can't do it all right now."

"Priorities. Y'all ain't married so why are you acting like it? I'm going to be in the ballroom with everyone else if you come to your senses. By the way, they have a huge pinball machine, too."

Randy gave a pointed look before he shut the door behind himself. Brothers are a blessing because they know you so well, but they can be butts for the same reason. He knew my weaknesses.

I want to call her since she would probably be up by now, but I do want to check out the game.

I decided to see what the big deal was in the ballroom for no more than 10 minutes then talk to her for about 30, shower and be ready for bed by 2:30 so I could get some sleep.

********

The night was a blur. I only remember getting back to the room and falling to sleep immediately. The game was cool and the arcade and pinball machine was groovy. I woke up at 12 noon to my brothers snoring. Marlon was already awake, eating cereal, laying on the sofa, and watching T.V. I stretched out and knocked over a note that was placed next to my pillow. It read,

You got a call at 10 A.M. today from Bina. She is about to go on stage but she didn't want me to wake you. She'll be done in a couple of hours. She said you could call the dressing room: 

832 - 4793

-Marlon

I had the operator on the phone before the note fully left my fingers. I counted each ring, 8, waiting with my muscles tense before a sweet voice picked up.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Barbara?"

"Yes?"

"Hi, it's Michael. How are you?"

"Michael, dear! I am very well, thank you. I just —" There was a muffled voice in the background, cutting Ms. Barbara off. There was a barely audible gasp as the phone was handed over and then I heard,

"Finally!" I could place that voice anywhere, it was Bina.

"Hi, darling."  I said to her, finally allowing my muscles to relax, hearing her voice.

"Hi..." It was hard to determine her tone. She sounded happy to talk to me but also irritated or sad. I felt like crap. This was not the first time that I didn't call her when I said I would and I couldn't stand letting her down again, especially since this night was so important to her.

"I apologize for calling so late." 


"It's okay." I knew it wasn't, but I knew that she didn't want to be mad at me. Honestly, it would've made me feel better if she was, but she is so forgiving. It just makes it harder to face her.

"And I'm sorry for missing your performance! I'm going to see one before we turn 20!" I tried humor to lighten the situation.

"Sure." There was a definite tone there and I exhaled inward deeply.

"I really am sorry. I lost track of time after the show and then when I finally got back, I fell right asleep. I shouldn't've —"

"Everything is fine. Mom, can I have a minute?" She paused, and I unconsciously held my breath during the silence. She cleared her throat and then started again tentatively, "I was just starting to think that we would go another few days without talking. I mean it's been what? Two and a half weeks since I last heard from you?" She paused for another moment, but before I could apologize again, she resumed, "I'm just glad that you're on the line now." Her voice was warm, and I could sense a smile on her face that matched my own. I let the moment sizzle before I said,

"Did you get the package?"

"Yes. I love the little ugly sweater, and what you said in the letter is right, the appliqués are so gaudy! I'll wear it though. Oh! Guess who came to the show?"

"Who?"

The time flew by as it always seemed to with us. It feels like every moment I dedicate to her, I spend it trying to catch my breath. She is like a whirlwind and I am a stone just trying to grasp hold of the whipping refreshing air before it leaves me behind. Just when I was settling with the thought of her, she had to go back home and go to bed. I then had to get ready for another show, and I didn't know how long I'd have to breathe normally — without her.

********

October 15, 1975

Bina POV

I started working on a demo with Stevie. He said that he would bring it to Motown himself when it was finished. Sometimes I forget that this person, my friend, used to be someone that I only admired from afar; and now he is helping me with music. We're using a few of my own songs, and he wrote one that he wanted me to use on the demo called "Knocks Me Off My Feet". It's beautiful and I couldn't stop singing it and thinking of Michael while doing it.

I can't say I didn't know what I was getting into, but I didn't expect being away from him to be this hard. Michael sent letters to update me, but I couldn't answer them because they wouldn't reach him before he left for the next place. He would tell me what was going on and the funny things that happened. Sometimes he would send packages with thoughtful trinkets from the countries he visited, but it wasn't often because he knew that I didn't like a lot of bric-a-brac. 

He sent a few polaroids. One in particular with him and his brothers sticking carrots up their noses was the funniest. But I didn't feel closer to him. The presents just kept reminding me how far away and unavailable he really was, all the time. It made me feel his absence thoroughly. I tried ti hide it on the few occasions when he did call, but it was tough. He did his best to keep up with me and that was really all that I could ask for. He called me 6 times over the entire time he was overseas. For the first few minutes he was usually profusely apologizing for not calling sooner, or calling too early or late because of the time difference, or for only having a few minutes to talk. 

I told him about the demo, school, my sisters and parents among other things that were less important. All I wanted to do was listen to his voice, but although I thought his life was endlessly more interesting than mine, he made it seem like my stories of senior year were a recount of wonderland, and it made me feel special.

"I don't think you understand, those are some wild stories! I can't believe that Benny — that was his name right?" He asked.

"No! Benji!" I corrected him laughing because he kept getting this goofy guy's name wrong. I'd been telling him about this feud between my classmates that had been going on since school started, and we concluded that they like each other.

"Oh, right! — Benji. I can't believe that he would actually try to put paint on the seat before Elani sat down! It's like he's a third grader trapped in an 18 year old body."

"I know, right? Boys."

"Hey! I'm a part of that group!"

"Exactly...boys!" He laughed at me, and then our conversation entered into a silence. I checked my clock.

"Wow, it's 12:53 AM..." I said. We sat in silence again, letting the moment crush us and press out any joy that remained lingering on the phone line. I wish I could pause time because us, in that moment, was perfect, but I had to go because I had school in the morning. I finally spoke.

"I'm sorry...I need to go to bed."

"I know...have a good day tomorrow." He sighed into the phone. My breath caught in my throat hearing him, and my stomach tightened as longing and disappointment gripped at me; I just wanted him near me. I sadly whispered,

"I probably won't talk to you for at least another week." I said, colder than I had planned. We had things to talk about when he got back, but I just wanted him to have a good time.

"I— I'll do my best to —"

"No, no. Don't stress yourself, that was insensitive."

"Okay." More silence filled the line.

"I love you." I said.

"I love you more."

"No you don't."

"Actually, it's a fact proven by many notable scientists, including myself."

"Oh, be quiet you goof ball," I said. Had he been sitting near me, I would have shoved him off of my bed.

"Takes one to know one." He chuckled. I pictured his lips curving around each of his words, and the flash of his tongue as he wet his lips before smiling; the vein in his neck, slightly visible up close when he speaks; his large slender hands holding the phone; his collarbone peeking from beneath his shirt. Something was lit inside of me. It was more than a longing. His voice cut through the fuzz that was starting to surround my brain,

"I love you." He said solemnly.

"I love you more. Goodnight."

I hung up first, not wanting to hear the click on the other end of the line. I exhaled deeply, feeling every element of the piercing quiet, now plaguing my heart. I thought about his last words to me. He always insisted on telling me he loved me before getting off the phone. He said that if anything happened, those words are the last ones he would've wanted me to hear from him. It took me off guard at first that he was willing to say it even when he was around his brothers and father. He told me his brothers teased him about it, but still he stood by his philosophy and made sure that they all knew that he loved me. I felt like he was standing up for me — and us — each and every time he did so. It made me love him more. It showed me he had strength and courage. It showed me that he had changed.

Some nights later as I was trying to fall asleep. His sister's words repeatedly echoed through my mind as Morpheus was taking me down,

"... he's definitely different with you. I do know that some guys are willing to do a lot for you, but there are some things that could never change — at least until they're much older. But, like I said, you two are different."

<3<3   I know it has been a while and I am soon sorry for the wait! I have had most of this written for a while, but between class and volunteering and midterms/finals, it has been really hard for me to get the time to edit and update. I hope you all enjoyed it! The next part is also written, but still not edited. However, my last finals are this weekend and you best believe that I will be updating often during break! 

I also just wanted to thank you all for staying with my story for so long, especially since it is my first fan fiction. I've lost a few people over the course, but a majority of you are still here, and I am so happy! This story has come a long way because of your encouragement and support (especially when you guys still voted for my early chapters - editing those now!) I am so grateful to have you with me as we continue to explore what unfolds for these characters. I hope you have had, are having and will have a great holiday! 

XOXO

L.O.V.E   <3<3