When Michael told me about how Debbie felt about he and I, I began thinking, did Brian really mind that Michael and I still spoke? I mean, he knew we spoke but he never really said anything. At the end of the day, I loved Brian, and I would never want to hurt him, and if talking to Michael bothered him that would be a real problem.

I come home to Brian playing on the living room floor with Rambo. I giggle and put my bags down at the door. Brian jumps up and wraps me in his arms, lifting me off my feet and swinging me around. "Oh baby I missed you!" He yells out. I laugh as he places me back on my feet. "I missed you too Brian!" I respond giggling, I plant a soft kiss on his lips as I grab my bag and go to my room, Brian grabs two more bags and does the same. I flop my body on my bed and lay on my stomach, allowing myself to take in the fact I was home. I feel Brian's hands slightly massaging my back. "So how was the tour?" He asks helping me sit up. I sit indian style in my bed as Brian stands on his knees behind me. I close my eyes and I lean my head back on his chest as he continues his massage. "It was so great babe. Seeing everyone's smiling faces in the crowd is crazy. I love it. You can definitely feel the love on stage." "Wow, so many people out there in the world who know your name and appreciate your talent, they love you." He says in awe. "I'm your number one fan though." He leans down and kisses my forehead. "Babe, do you really mind if Michael and I still speak? I never asked you and I want to make sure it doesn't bother you." I had to get this over with. "No, not really. Why?" He responds dryly. "Michael told me about his wife and how she doesn't approve of he and I. So I just wondered." I shrug. Brian sits next to me on the bed and grabs my feet to place on his lap, rubbing them. "Nah, it doesn't bother me. I'm not intimidated by who you are or who he is. As long as he knows and respects who I am to you, that's really all that matters." He explains, eyes focused at my feet. I sat there, nodding my head. "I just wanted to make sure." I reply, laying back on my pillow as he continues to massage my feet. My cellphone rings as Brian answers the phone. "Hello?" He says in a scratchy tone. "Hi, uh.... Is this Brian?" The voice asks. I could hear him slightly over the phone, it was Michael. I instantly felt a wave of panic wash over me. "Yeah. Is this Michael Jackson?" Brian sounded a little excited. "Yes. Hi, how are you?" He asks. "I'm great! I'm such a big fan of yours. I'm excited to speak with you" I let out a a small giggle as I watch Brian gush over Michael. I could only imagine Michael's reaction. "God bless you, thank you." He replies "Is Jayla around?" "Yeah, she's right here. Hang on." Brian hands me the phone with a huge grin on his face. I could see his excitement in his eyes while walking out the room mouthing "that was the king of pop!" to himself, causing me to laugh. "Hi." I giggle out. "Hello, beautiful. Welcome home." He says sweetly. "Thank you, I hear you had your baby. Congratulations." I add in. "We did, thank you. She's beautiful too. You have to come and see her one day." He says. "I will soon." I promise him. "So what's up?" "My birthday is coming and I want to have a small party. Would you like to come? Brian is more than welcome." He asks, in almost a hopeful tone. "Sure, I'd love too." I smile. "Great!" He exclaims a little more excited than he should be. He tells me the details of the party and we hang up.

After unpacking all of my clothes I decided to go visit my mom. She didn't know I was home yet so I wanted to surprise her. I walk inside her home hearing her talking with someone. "I don't think she wants to see you. I'm not telling her your in town." "Mom?" I say as I turn the corner. My heart stopped. I saw my dad. The last time I saw him, I was 10. "What are you doing here?" I ask. I could barely look him in the eye. "I came all the way to Hollywood to see you! Your mother never told me you moved out of New York. Now I see you on TV singing with Michael Jackson!" My father stands walking towards me with his arms outstretched reaching for a hug. I push his arms away from me. "What do you want?" I ask shortly. The only reason he was around was to probably borrow money and disappear for another 7 years. I wanted to just cut to the chase. "I'm so proud of you JayBird." He says. I roll my eyes. I hated that nickname, only because he gave it to me. My mother sat and watched as we talked, practically speechless. "You know you get your singing talent from me. I always knew you had it in you." He laughs pointing at me. It's true, my father was a washed up soul singer who started off as background for Jackie Wilson. He attempted to branch off on his own and succeeded for two years, yet no one remembered him for anything but his drug habit that led to his failed career. I tilt my head. "Funny, last time I saw you, you told me to give up on that singing dream and grow up. Do you remember that?" I ask sarcastically. He rubs his head. "I wasn't in a great state of mind." "When are you ever?" I ask. He looks around the room and laughs. "JayBird." "Don't call me that, what do you need Pop?" I ask again. He couldn't fool me. I knew exactly why he was here. "I just need a couple days to crash until I get back on my feet. My house was foreclosed. I was just going to stay with your mother." He finally admits. "No you won't. You'll be in a hotel. You're not putting my mom under anymore stress." I say writing him a check. I will not allow him to stress my mother, she's all I have. "You think because you've got money now you can just send me on my way?" He says snatching the check. "If it weren't for me you wouldn't be here, nobody would know who you are. You'll end up just like me. I know it." He adds. "You may be famous but you're still nothing! They don't respect you. One mistake and they'll turn on you. They don't care about your life!" He yells. My mother stands up pushing him towards the door. "You don't talk to her like that! Get out!" I feel an instant sadness and sink into the chair next to me. My father manages to make me feel small and insignificant. I watch as my mother pushes him out the door. I bury my face in my hands and sob. Feeling my mother wrap her comforting arms around me bringing me closer to her. "You know your father's an idiot. He's missed everything in your life. He can't tell you about anything!" She says wiping my tears. "I don't understand what you ever saw in that man.." I exclaim. I lift my head and continue to clear my face. She shakes her head. "I loved him at one moment..I don't know what happened..."