Mouse and Applehead - Part 7b
Hope everyone's having a wonderful Valentines Day and are spending it with the ones they love.
Here's the second half of Part 7 - in which Jack gets a small wakeup call, Aimee shows up to show how bad she is, Grammy's '84, and Diana talks seriously to Michael.
Title: Mouse and Applehead
Author: shinigami518
Rating: PG-13 (but will go into the R territory at times)
Warnings: Swearing, the occasional violence, future talks of attempted rape, abuse, and some racism
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except for Annie, her family, and her friends. All music used is owned by their respective owners, writers, and singers. I also, unfortunately, do not own Michael. If i did, he would still be around, playing with his children and making all of his fans happy.
Summary: Late 1979, Michael, after the release of Off the Wall, is longing for a friend. He walks alone at dusk in hopes to find one. He discovers one in the form of a little girl named Annie. This would lead to a long lasting friendship that spans three decades, featuring highs and lows, including: an obsessed older sister, an overprotective father, "Billie Jean", haters, alligations, death, and the pitfalls of being friends with the (currently not as of the time this starts) King of Pop.
Links to past parts (at my journal)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3a
Part 3b
Part 3c
Part 4a
Part 4b
Part 5a
Part 5b
Part 6a
Part 7a
Las Encinas Hospital
“Are they treating you alright here, honey?” Jack asked his oldest daughter, who he was sitting across from. He had driven all the way to the hospital to see how Aimee was doing. Jack still didn’t believe that Aimee had really “gone crazy” as her siblings had claimed. He managed to convince her doctor to allow him to talk with Aimee.
“They’ve been quite nice, daddy. I have my own room to myself finally and some of the nurses are very sweet.” Aimee smiled kindly. She appeared to be very calm when Jack arrived.
“That’s a relief, honey.” Jack smiled back, reaching over and patting her hand with his. ‘I knew there was nothing wrong with you, Aimee. I knew they were-.’ Jack thought to himself.
“Have… have you heard from Michael lately?” Aimee asked timidly, breaking Jack’s train of thought.
“W-what?” Jack asked back, praying he didn’t hear what she asked.
“Michael. Michael Jackson. The man I love. Have you heard from him lately? Does he… miss me?” Aimee asked again, blushing softly like a timid school girl.
“Him? He came over unannounced and I caught him embracing Annette, the freak.” Jack replied sourly.
That was when Aimee’s expression and mood changed in an instant.
“That BITCH!” Aimee snapped. “How dare she take my darling away from me?! The minute I’m gone, she steals him away!” Aimee growled angrily.
“Aimee, sweetie, calm down…” Jack tried to coax his daughter.
“NO ONE hits on MY Michael. NO ONE!!” Aimee shouted, shooting to her feet and knocking the chair she was sitting on over. Jack flinched back, startled by the volume of Aimee’s voice. Aimee then stared coldly at her father. “And you, dad, how dare you call Michael a name like that?!” Aimee asked angrily and icily.
“He screwed up your mind, brainwashed you into having sex with him.” Jack answered, frightened by Aimee’s actions.
“He did NO SUCH THING! I wanted to show him that I loved him and I was going to do it! He loves me! I know he does!!” Aimee screeched loudly, clearly falling back into the same mood she was days before. Several orderlies then ran into the room, one carrying a straight jacket, and subdued Aimee, who was still screaming “He loves me!” at the top of her lungs.
Jack, meanwhile, backed away, letting the orderlies do their job as one of the supervisors, a woman with dark brown hair, walked over to him.
“What is wrong with her? Did that freak do this to her, Dr. Oliver?” Jack asked, still holding onto the small hope that Aimee’s actions were not her fault.
“Aside from the serious case of bi-polar disorder, she has what we call “Erotomania”, a form of delusional psychosis. When having this, a person - in this case, you daughter - believes that someone, usually a famous person like an actor, athlete, or musician is in love with him or her. In your daughter’s case, she believes that Mr. Michael Jackson is in love with her. You did say you are… friends with Mr. Jackson, correct?” Dr. Oliver explained, then asked.
“My second youngest daughter, Annette, met him a few years ago and she and the rest of my children have been his friends since then.” Jack answered. Dr. Oliver let out an “Mmhm” in response.
“And has Mr. Jackson ever… reciprocated Aimee’s feelings?” Dr. Oliver then asked.
“..Not that I recall, no.” Jack shook his head.
“That is a main reason why she lashed out against others. She believes that Mr. Jackson is in love with her. I’ve learned about some of her actions through her twin brother Kevin and her sister, Diana - two of your older children - and she had lashed out at her siblings, becoming more violent towards them, especially Annette, whom she seems to think is trying to, in her words, “steal her Michael away”, when in reality, Annette was just being friendly and casual with him.” Dr. Oliver went on. Jack looked away silently as they exited the room and went into the hall.
“Mr. Williams, your eldest daughter is ill. That I am not worried about, we can treat her the best we can for it. What I am worried about is how you are acting towards the rest of your children. The other day, I had a long talk with Kevin and Diana, who had told me about Aimee’s behavior over the past several years. They also told me about your actions towards them, especially how you’ve been treating Kevin and Annette. I can understand that you are upset over what happened with Aimee, but what I can’t understand is why you are being so hard on Kevin, who is lucky to just have bruised ribs, and Annette, who nearly had her neck broken?” Dr. Oliver asked seriously.
“They… They were the ones…” Jack began, but stopped, trying to choose his word correctly, but was having trouble doing so.
“They are your children, too, Mr. Williams, and they are as upset about this as you are.” Dr. Oliver interrupted harshly. “They need their father and you have been ignoring them because you believe Aimee was the victim, not the instigator. I saw Mr. Jackson’s injuries when he came in earlier today to ask about her, and I saw Kevin and Annette’s injuries as well, and I can clearly state that Aimee was in full control physically, but not entirely mentally. She needs help and your children, the rest of them, need you back as their father.” She then placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Don’t push them away.”
Jack frowned, not saying anything, but was obviously thinking it over.
>>>>><<<<<
February 28th
Hayvenhurst
Michael slid on the blue sequined militaristic suit jacket he was planning on wearing that night over his white button up shirt. It was a few hours before the Grammy Awards, which was to be held that night, and Michael was nominated for many awards. On the inside, he was very excited, but also, he was a bit nervous. What if, after all the nominations, he doesn’t win any or just one or two like with Off the Wall?
“You gonna be really handsome tonight, Applehead.”
Michael turned to face the other three occupants in the room. Maggie, who had made the comment, Janet, and Annie sat on Michael’s bed. Janet was already dressed up to attend the show that night while their two younger friends would be watching at home. The two girls, Diana, and their brothers were still able to visit and hang out with Michael after Jack had a long talk with him, Katherine, and Alison. Jack relented and gave his kids permission to continue being friends with the young singer, but if anything happened to any of the six remaining brothers and sisters while they were with Michael, then they couldn’t be friends anymore. After hearing that warning, all six of Jacks children gave a vow to be careful when they were with Michael.
“You think so?” Michael asked Maggie. He then touched his head with his hand. “I still feel weird, wearing this hairpiece…” He muttered with a small frown.
“It’s better than wearing that hat of yours all the time. Besides, it looks fine on you.” Janet commented.
“Thanks Dunk.” Michael smiled, then went back to fixing up his jacket. After several seconds of fiddling with the buttons and the gold straps that wrapped from his right shoulder down to his left side, and making sure everything looked perfect, he turned to face the three girls once more. “How do I look?” He asked the three.
“Amazing.” Annie gave a thumbs up.
“Very handsome.” Maggie nodded in approval.
“Not bad.” Janet shrugged in indifference.
“Dunk!” Michael moaned, making Janet laugh,
“I’m just messing with ya. You look great.” Janet said truthfully, smiling at her brother.
“You too, Janet.” Michael told her. Several knocks on the door, done in the classic “Shave and a Haircut” jingle, caught everyone’s attention. The door cracked open and Diana stuck her head in, her left hand covering her eyes.
“Is everyone decent in here?” Diana asked out loud nervously.
“No, Applehead’s standing here in his underwear, about to dance for our amusement.” Maggie replied bluntly and sarcastically. Diana’s face turned bright red at that thought.
“MAGGIE!” Michael and Janet exclaimed while Annie blushed, trying not to laugh.
“Ewww!” Janet added in disgust.
“Very funny, Mags. Excuse me while I bust a gut.” Diana laughed sarcastically, removing her hand from her eyes while entering the room. She then looked at Janet. “And it’s different for you, Janet. You’re his sister.” And then Diana looked at Michael, smiling in approval, and in relief that he was fully clothed. “Nice, love the color, but I have to ask you something because Kevin keeps bugging me to ask you this. Why the sparkles and sequins?” Diana observed with approval, then asked.
“Why not?” Michael shrugged innocently.
“Well, you look like you’re going to lead an army of cartoon characters to battle or something, but I mean that in a good way because only you can pull that look off.” Diana explained before smiling politely.
“Thanks a lot.” Michael muttered sarcastically. He then began to fiddle with his jacket once again, causing Janet to let out a groan and stand up.
“Oh for the love of- Let me do that!” Janet shouted in exasperation, walking over to her brother and began to fix the jacket for him. Diana let out a small snicker.
“Di-Di, I swear if you-.” Maggie started to say when Janet spoke up.
“Michael, didn’t you cover up your hand with the makeup?” Janet asked, looking at Michael’s right hand, which she held in both of her hands. Maggie stood up and made her way over to them.
“What is it?” Maggie asked, curious and concerned.
“I did put the cream on it. For some reason, it doesn’t seem to be working.” Michael protested. Maggie took a look at his hand and frowned.
“I think you might need a lighter color, though…” Maggie observed, pointing out the lighter patches that didn’t get completely blended.
“Damn.” Diana whispered, not liking what Maggie said.
“Perhaps he can wear a glove? I-I mean, he’s been sporting the one glove thing for a few years now.” Annie suggested innocently.
“That’ll work.” Michael agreed after a second of thought.
“I’ll grab one!” Diana announced proudly, rushing off to find one in the room.
“She seemed a little too eager to go, didn’t she?” Janet spoke up after a few seconds. Annie and Maggie both nodded in agreement, Maggie let out a small groan as she turned away from Michael.
“Sometimes, I really wish she’d grow up.” Maggie let out a sigh.
“You want one glove or two?” Diana asked from across the room, finding the object in question.
“One.” Michael replied.
“Alright, whatever you say.” Diana shrugged in response.
“You really like that one glove thing, don’t you Applehead?” Maggie observed.
“People seem to like it, so why not?” Michael replied with a shrug.
“You’ve been making a huge fad at school, Mikey. About a third of the boys in my class are porting one glove on their hands. I think I even saw one kids trying to pull off a jacket like the one you wore in Beat It, but I think it was a bad knock off.” Annie recalled, remembering what she had seen.
“Was it Peter Riley, that guy you keep talking about at home?” Maggie asked.
“Isn’t he the one who thinks he’s the Fonz?” Janet asked curiously.
“No, the Fonz boy was Toby MacDonald. He graduated last year. Peter’s in my grade and thinks he’s the new John Travolta… or Kevin Bacon. The jerk changes so much, he’s like a chameleon.” Annie corrected with a grimace.
“He doesn’t sound all that bad.” Michael stated innocently.
“Yeah, but you’ve never met him. I have. He’s as big of a flirt as the boys in high school.” Diana retorted, returning to the group. She then handed Michael the sequined glove she had grabbed for him. “Here you go.” Diana said.
“Thanks.” Michael said, then slipped the glove on over his right hand. “There, much better.” Michael smiled, flexing his fingers so the glove was on tight.
“I agree.” Annie nodded in agreement.
“Don’t you think you ought to get ready, Jan?” Diana asked Janet. Janet looked down at her red pantsuit and then back up at Diana.
“I am ready, Di.” Janet affirmed, annoyed.
“Then we better head downstairs. Mother and Latoya are probably waiting for us.” Michael suggested, hoping to halt the fight that was about to brew between the two young women.
“Right.” Maggie nodded. At that note, Michael, Janet, and the three sisters left the room, Michael taking a moment to grab a pair of sunglasses and putting them on.
The small group soon found themselves entering the kitchen area where Katherine was talking pleasantly with Alison while Tommy and Paul were playing a small game of cards with LaToya, who was already dressed in a strapless sea green dress.
“Hey guys, Michael’s dressed, finally.” Diana announced, pointing at the man in question for emphasis. Tommy and Paul went “wow” at the same time when they saw Michael’s outfit.
“Cool outfit, Applehead! You’re all sparkly.” Paul exclaimed. Michael let out a small laugh. LaToya looked at Michael and nodded in agreement
“I really wish you wouldn’t wear those sunglasses. You have such beautiful eyes.” Katherine fussed as she got up to fix Michael’s jacket collar.
“You know how shy I get, mother…” Michael remarked softly.
“Janet, you look, um, really pretty.” Tommy told Janet, starting to blush nervously.
“Why thank you, Tommy. What a nice compliment.” Janet smiled, giving the young boy a kiss on his forehead, making the boy blush. Paul let out a giggle, enjoying seeing his brother get embarrassed.
“Hey LaToya, that’s a really beautiful dress.” Annie said, admiring the dress the older girl wore.
“You like it?” LaToya asked, standing and doing a small spin to show off every inch of her outfit.
“I like it a lot! It’s really pretty. Can I have one like that, mom?” Maggie answered, then asked Alison.
“Maybe when you are older.” Alison shook her head. Maggie pouted angrily, knowing that was Alison’s polite way of saying “No chance in hell you’re wearing that at your age right now”.
“Hey, Michael?” Diana asked suddenly, sounding serious.
“Yeah?” Michael asked back, turning to face her.
“I just… it’s… I meant what I said a few weeks ago when I said I was gonna stop chasing after you and… I’m really sorry about what happened as well... with, you know, her.” Diana replied, nervously. Michael sighed, knowing who she was referring to.
“Diana, it was-.” Michael began to say.
“Don’t say it was nothing.” Diana shouted, tears starting to form in her eyes. Michael stepped back in surprise, mostly from seeing Diana crying. Diana took a breath, then went on, looking down at her sneakers. “Look, I’m not going to lie to you, Michael. I still like- no, I still love you, but what’s the use? You’ll never see me or any of us as anything other than friends, maybe like little sisters, but never as possible girlfriends. Aimee…,” Michael winced in hearing her name, while Annie and Maggie looked on in surprise as did everyone else in the room, “she… she never got that through her head. She wanted more, but me?” Diana then looked up, a sad smile on her face as tears began to fall. “You’ve been so kind to all of us, even after all that’s happened. Aimee, dad flipping out at you, the fight at our home… and yet, you still care about us and let us continue seeing you…, and… and I’m so sorry if I ever acted like Aimee and for all the things I did.” Diana then wiped her eyes with her fists, trying to get rid of her tears.
“Di?” Paul asked worriedly.
“I‘m ok, Paul. I just… really needed to say all that.” Diana remarked, wiping away the last bit of tears. She then turned back to Michael. “I’m sorry about that, Michael…” Diana apologized, trying to avoid looking into his eyes.
“Don’t be.” Michael remarked softly, which caused Diana to look up at him. He had removed his sunglasses and was staring at her with soft brown eyes. Diana’s fear began to vanish as she looked at him, her cheeks burning with shyness.
Michael then, much to her surprise, pulled Diana into a strong, comforting hug. Diana froze in shock and disbelief. She had been hugged by Michael before, but it felt different now. Now, she realized that what she had thought was romantic love was actually platonic, a strong friendship. She then relaxed in his embrace and hugged him back, accepting his trust with her own.
“Wow. Diana’s really grown up.” Annie said softly, eyes wide behind her glasses.
“I guess these past several weeks had a real big effect on her.” LaToya nodded, but with a look of disapproval on her face.
“She probably realized what Aimee had done might’ve been what she might do if she didn’t change. What she did…, her actions had an effect on everyone.” Maggie observed. Annie nodded silently, touching her throat with her fingers, remembering what Aimee’s actions did to her.
Maggie was right. Aimee’s actions had, indeed, affected everyone in various ways. For some, they became wiser and changed for the best. For others, the scars -physical, mental, and psychological - don’t heal completely.
Next part will be a long one which will have some more big changes. Annie has her first crush and her first hich school play, and Jack goes off again, but this time, there is no forgiveness.
I'm still typing this up, so it'll probably be a while when I post the next part.