Chapter 9,
January 12, 2002,
I am really starting to get irritated with how often Gavin and his family are coming to the ranch and dad decided to take Prince, Paris, and I down to New Jersey to spend time with the Cassio family for a week. I upendo going to their house because they are really family oriented people and they are some of the only people that don’t use dad for anything!!!
We walked in the doorway to their cozy house and Denise was standing in the jikoni cooking. Dad dropped 4 duffle bags on the floor and I sat on the couch. Dad walked over and pulled the kofia from my sweatshirt off of my head. He smiled and alisema “I upendo wewe AJ.” I didn’t look up from my video game and alisema “okay.” He sat down inayofuata to me and asked “what’s with the attitude?” I chewed on my gum and alisema “I don’t know what you’re talking about dad!!!” He alisema “you haven’t alisema zaidi than a few words to me in the last couple days and wewe have been calling me dad instead of daddy.” I turned off my video game and looked up at him. He knew that I wanted to say something but I just stared at him. He grabbed hold of my hand and asked “what’s a matter; please tell me?” I stood up and alisema "I don't want to talk about it!" He said. "I wish wewe would because how I am I supposed to fix the problem?" I alisema "what's the point? Once I tell you, wewe won't do anything anyway!" Frank looked at dad and asked "what's wrong with her?" Before dad had the chance to say anything I alisema "I don't know; maybe it's because wewe let Gavin call wewe daddy! Dad asked "that bothers you?" I alisema "of course it does! Why do wewe think I've been calling wewe dad instead of daddy?" I ran outside slamming the door behind me while he looked at Frank in shock.
Dad got up from his chair and Frank said. "Just give her some time to cool down. I don't think she'd respond well to wewe going after her." Dad alisema "I know why she's mad and I'm getting concerned myself." Frank asked "why; what's going?" Dad alisema "Gavin and his brother are out of control." Denise interrupted the conversation and asked "in what way are they out of control?" Dad alisema "they destroy everything and wewe know how I feel about people swearing in front of the children, but; they do all the time. I have even pulled the two of them aside and asked them not to use swearwords in front of the children. I don't even like it when they swear in front of me. Then they eat tons of junk, taka chakula and Alanna wonders why they are allowed to when she isn't. Frank alisema "I hate to say it Michael but; maybe it's time to cut ties with them entirely. Gavin has been healthy for some time now and they seem like they're just using you." Dad got defensive and alisema "I just can't tell them they can't come over anymore Frank!"
I came back inside after calming down and dad alisema "come here AJ." I walked up to him as he sat back down on the kitanda and he gently guided me onto his lap. He asked as he grasped my hand. "Are wewe still mad at me?" I thought about it for a sekunde and alisema "kind of." He alisema "I'll make sure that Gavin doesn't call me daddy anymore, okay?" I alisema as I hugged him "okay; because you're our daddy, not his!"
January 13, 2002,
We were also getting ready to eat chajio, chakula cha jioni at the Cassio family nyumbani and dad alisema he had an announcement to make. As he put some spaghetti, tambi on my plate, and sat back down in his chair, he alisema "I got this call a couple of days zamani from a reporter named Martin Bashir and he wants to produce a documentary about me." Frank practically choked on his chakula and asked "you aren't going to do it… Are you?" Dad alisema "I've really thought about it and talk to this guy for hours about keeping my reputation clean. He seems like a nice guy and I don't think he's going to manipulate anything to make it seem like I'm a bad person!" I alisema "I hope he doesn't make wewe look like the bad daddy!" Dad alisema "I'm going to allow the children to be a part of it. As long as they wear masks to keep their face hidden it will be fine." Frank alisema "I don't think this sounds like a good idea Michael!" Dad asked "why?" Frank said. "Well; wewe don't know anything about this guy’s intentions! He may be getting paid to make wewe look bad! I mean, look at the past interviews you've had in the last few years, they haven't been the nicest." Dad alisema "well; I really think that I am going to follow through with it. Besides, what's the worst that can happen?"
January 17, 2002,
We will be going back to Neverland in just a couple of days and dad really isn't looking mbele to it because he knows that Gavin will want to come over. I started uigizaji out because I know we'll be going nyumbani soon, and I don't want to. The worst part is; dad left my ADHD medication at Neverland kwa mistake and I'm bouncing off the walls!
We had just gotten back to the Cassio family nyumbani after seeing a movie. The best part about being down here is the fact that the last place wewe would think to find Michael Jackson would be here in New Jersey, Prince, Paris, and I were all sitting on the kitanda watching SpongeBob when I decided to do a flip off the back of the couch. I had done it 1000 times before, even though dad had told me not to. This time, instead of landing on my feet, I twisted my ankle and fell to the ground on juu of my foot. I let out a bloodcurdling scream and dad quickly ran over to see what was a matter. He asked "what's wrong?" I didn't want to admit that I was doing a backflip off the couch, but I confessed because I was in so much pain and couldn't think of a lie to tell him. kwa the look on his face, I knew he wanted to tell me "I told wewe so!" But he was too concerned about the amount of pain I was in.
He picked me up and put me on the couch. My foot was bruised and throbbing; anyone could tell that it was clearly broken. Frank said. "We have to take her to the ER Michael!" Dad said. "You guys will have to take a kwa yourself because there's no way I can go into the hospital without getting mauled, even here!" Frank alisema as he picked me up. "Okay, I'll take her kwa myself!" I quickly snatched my mask from the meza, jedwali before we left and got in the car.
About an saa later; I walked into the Cassio house using crutches and wearing a cast. I walked up to dad and he asked as he looked up at Frank "so how bad is it?" Frank said. "Her foot is broken and so are three of her toes!!!" Dad shook his head in disbelief and alisema "I've told wewe so many times AJ not to jump au do flips off of the couch." I alisema "I know wewe have… And I won't do it anymore; I promise!" He alisema "I hate to say it but, I don't believe you!" I asked "why?" He alisema "you told have me wewe won't do something about the times but, then wewe just go and do it anyway! How do wewe expect me to believe wewe anymore? wewe really need to change your attitude because my patience is wearing thin. I'm not saying that I'm mad at wewe because I'm not! I'm very disappointed in wewe though and it's going to take a lot of proving to me to change that. wewe have to remember that your only seven years old!" I alisema "I'm almost 8 years old!" He alisema "that's not the point at all Alanna, wewe need to behave… That's all I'm trying to say. wewe also have to remember that I'm your father and what I say goes. I only tell wewe not to do things because I'm looking at for your best interest." I looked up at Frank hoping that he would cover for me; but all wewe alisema was "your dad's right." I asked "so… I'm in trouble, aren't I?" Dad alisema "well; I think you've learned your lesson because wewe broke your foot! Just promise me wewe won't jump off of anymore couches… And that you'll listen to me when I tell wewe not to do something inayofuata time?" I alisema "okay I won't!" Knowing full well that I would probably defy him within the inayofuata five minutes… But I was willing to say anything to get him off my back!
After we had eaten dinner, all of us sat in the living room and dad alisema "I've come to my decision about the "living with Michael Jackson" documentary." We all looked up at him in suspended silence and then he alisema "I'm going to go through with it!" wewe could tell that Frank was completely baffled kwa what had just come out of my father's mouth and quite frankly; so was I!" Thinking of dad's past track record with interviewers in the past few years and how terrible they made him look. I don't understand why he would want to do this again! I just hope it turns out as good as he thinks it will for his reputation!
January 19, 2002,
We pulled up in front of the gates to the ranch after just getting back from our flight! Dad had asked Frank to come back to the ranch with us because he was contemplating telling Gavin and his family that they couldn't come over anymore. Dad planned one last weekend sleepover and… Then he would just keep contact with them over the phone. He wants to let them down easy so they aren't too disappointed but; without Frank there I don't think he would be able to follow through with it!
I walked through the front door and there were a few messages on the answering machine. I alisema "someone called here daddy!" Dad walked over and alisema "thank wewe sweetheart!" He pressed the play button and it was a woman talking about the baby she was carrying for dad. Her due tarehe is inayofuata mwezi and I can't wait to meet my new baby brother. I can't believe that dad is naming him Prince Michael the second… If I was him I would pick something totally different than my other brother's name.
We had only been in the house for less than five dakika before the phone started ringing off the hook. The caller ID read Gavin's name and the first few times he called dad ignored him, but after a while it started to get really ridiculous because he wasn't giving up! Finally, dad picked up the phone and alisema "if wewe and your brother want to come over for the weekend wewe can. I know I miss wewe too. We'll see wewe then." Dad sighed and alisema "the two of them will be here tomorrow." I was far from thrilled to see them again, I know my dad loves having them around but; I think the only reason why they have a relationship with him still is because of the money that he provides them! I'm glad that Frank sees how they are too and I'm not the only one. It's not my place to say anything because what do I know? I'm only a little kid!!!
January 20, 2002,
Gavin and nyota got here just a few dakika zamani and they're already back to their old ways. They ran into the jikoni and I followed them. Gavin ripped open a bag of cheese doodles and they scattered everywhere. The dog was clearly excited that all this chakula had fallen on the ground because drake hardly ever gets to eat human food. I asked as dad walked into the room "can I eat some of those too daddy?" He asked "how many are left in the bag? Look at this mess!" I alisema "they are the ones who spilled them; not me! There's only a few left in the bag!" I know that dad could tell that I was very irritated with them and he alisema "it's all right; I'll have one of the bodyguards kwa some zaidi for wewe tomorrow!" I looked at him as a bend down to help him pick up the cheese doodles off the floor. He raised his eyebrows and I knew exactly what he was thinking "did they really just walk out of the room without even offering to help pick up this mess that they made? We must have been the jikoni for over 45 dakika cleaning up the small cheese doodles. When I alisema they were everywhere… I mean it! Every time I would go to pick up one of them, I would accidentally step on another one; which obviously made the mess worse!
A few hours later, I was up in my room kwa myself when dad came in to check on me. I was laying in my kitanda working on some school work and he came over and alisema "move over." He lay down on the kitanda inayofuata to me and asked "are wewe okay?" I sighed and alisema "yes; I guess." He saw that I was struggling to understand the word problem that I was working on and asked "do wewe need my help with figuring that out?" I threw my hands up in frustration and alisema "yes please!!!" He spent over 15 dakika going over the problem with me but, I was still confused. Just as I started to understand what he was saying; Gavin came barreling through my bedroom without even knocking on the door. I couldn't keep my mouth shut anymore and alisema "hey; I'm trying to do my school work! wewe didn't even knock on the door before coming in and that's not okay with me! Dad alisema "it's okay AJ; there's no need to get so frustrated and start yelling at him!" I looked Gavin's right in the eyes and alisema "you better get out of my room right now!!!" Gavin laughed at me and asked "what are wewe going to do about it if I don't?" I tried punching him but I was so much shorter than he is! Dad was shouting at this point, saying "Alanna please stop!"
Frank must've heard the commotion coming from upstairs because he eventually came to my bedroom. He alisema shocked with how red my face was "hey; stop it!! Dad pulled me off from Gavin, who was still laughing at my attempt to attack him. Gavin ran out of the room and shut the door behind him. I threw my shoe at the door and dad looked at me, still trying to comprehend what just happened. I alisema "I'm getting so sick of them, they are annoying!" He alisema "that doesn't give wewe the right to hit him!" I alisema "I'm tired of being nice to him; he doesn't deserve it!" Dad alisema "you need to cool off… I'm going downstairs, wewe stay in here." I was zaidi than happy to have some time away from the two of them.
About an saa after we had dinner, I had just taken a kuoga and dad came upstairs, carrying pillows and blankets into one of the guest rooms. Gavin and nyota came running upstairs behind him and dad alisema "okay; the guestroom is all set up for wewe guys. I have to go bring AJ some clothes, I'll be right back! A few dakika later, I went into dad's bedroom and asked "can I sleep in here tonight?" Dad alisema "of course wewe can!" I climbed up on the kitanda and he kissed my forehead. Then Gavin knocked on the door and asked "can we sleep in there with wewe too Michael?" I looked at dad and shook my head "no" he alisema "hang on a second." Dad yelled "Frank, can wewe come here?" Frank walked out of the master bathroom and asked "yeah?" Dad whispered "Gavin and nyota want to sleep in here!" Frank's eyes widened and he alisema "I really don't think wewe should do that Michael!" Dad alisema “here’s what wewe and I are going to do, you're going to sleep in here with me! The two of them will sleep on the bed, you, AJ, and I will sleep on the floor! I don't want there to be any reason for any accusations and this seems to be the only logical way around that!" I was really upset that dad had agreed to let the boys sleep in his bedroom because I was looking mbele to spending quality time with him! The three of us lay on blankets on the floor, while the boys were lying in dad's bed. After watching three Disney sinema in a row, I curled myself up against dad and he wrapped his arms around me. Even though I was asleep, I could hear all of them laughing and having fun. Nothing out of the ordinary went on that night and I know that for a fact!!!! After that, we didn't see much of the boys au their family until we started taping the "living with Michael Jackson" documentary.
February 29, 2002,
My baby brother, Prince Michael the sekunde was born yesterday and dad has nicknamed him "Blanket." I had asked him why he came up with that nickname and he alisema "because he's a blanket of upendo and a sweet Angel of God!" I think dad starting to realize how long it's been since he has had to take care of a newborn baby. He looks exhausted and every time he tries to take a break the baby starts crying again! It just makes me appreciate dad a lot more!!!
I was sitting on the kitanda with my crutches inayofuata to me. We had just gotten back from a trip to Disneyland Paris and were settling in back at the ranch. I hate having my foot broken because I can't really do the things that I'm used to doing. If my foot wasn't broken I would be outside right now climbing trees au jumping on the trampoline. Instead I am stuck in your watching TV and doing school work. One thing's for sure; broken limbs and ADHD don't mix.
After dad had put Blanket down for a nap, he came over and sat inayofuata to me. He alisema "you look unhappy… What's up?" I alisema "I'm just tired of sitting here!" He alisema "I know wewe are; but wewe need to stay off your feet for a while so wewe can heal." Prince came over and alisema "I'll sit here with you!" I alisema "you don't have to!" He alisema "I know but, I want too." Dad alisema "that's so sweet of wewe Prince! You're such a good little brother!" Dad got up from his chair and alisema as he rubbed his eyes "I think I'm going to go take a nap… I'll be back in 40 dakika au so."
I think it will take all of us a little while to adjust to having a baby in the house again. I don't think dad remembered how much work it is to take care of a newborn baby because it's been so long. He will get used to soon though.
March 23, 2002,
Filming begins for the "living with Michael Jackson" documentary tomorrow and Martin Bashir is coming over today to get zaidi acquainted with the family. I was having a very difficult siku behavior wise and Grace is clearly frustrated with me. Dad was getting ready for the siku and none of us had seen him yet this morning. I was in the jikoni sitting at the meza, jedwali playing with the rubber ball that I had won as a prize at the arcade we went to yesterday. I kept bouncing the ball higher and higher and Grace alisema "please stop that before wewe break something." I alisema "no." She came over and took it from me and I stomped upstairs to my room.
I repeatedly slammed the door to my bedroom to onyesha Grace how upset how upset I was with her. Dad was just coming out of his bedroom and he alisema "hey, hey, hey, what are wewe doing that for?" I alisema as I crossed my arms "I'm mad because Grace took the ball away!" He alisema "that doesn't give wewe the right to slam your bedroom door AJ." I kicked the door and he alisema "if you're going to act like that then wewe don't deserve to have the ball anyway!" I whined "but its mine daddy!!!" He alisema "you know I won't let wewe get away with uigizaji like a brat and Mr. Bashir is coming over today so wewe need to be on your best behavior… Understood?" I didn't answer him and gave him a look of irritation. He knelt down and alisema "that's what I'm talking about right there! Enough of that… There is no reason for it and if wewe keep that up wewe will be up here in your room kwa yourself while everyone else is having fun." I knew I didn't want that so; after a few dakika of calming down I went downstairs.
The doorbell started ringing and I answered it. I alisema "daddy; I think it's for you!" It was a tall man with a tan and brown hair who was wearing glasses. Dad came over and alisema as he shook hands with him "nice to finally meet wewe face to face Martin!" Martin alisema "I'm so glad wewe agreed to do this documentary." I asked Martin "where are all the cameras at?" Dad and Martin laughed and Martin alisema "they won't be here till tomorrow." I asked "daddy; how come the cameras aren't here today?" Dad looked down at me and alisema "I wanted to give Mr. Bashir sometime wewe get to know us before we started filming." I alisema "oh" and hobbled away using my crutches.
Dad and Martin sat down at the jikoni meza, jedwali and Martin asked "how did Alanna break her foot?" Dad alisema as he took a sip of his chai "she was doing a back flip off of my Marafiki kitanda and she landed on her foot." Martin asked "is Debbie her mother also?" Dad alisema "yes; as well as Prince and Paris's." Martin alisema "I have to say Michael; your kids really do look like you, especially Blanket!" Dad alisema "I just want to make sure before we start filming tomorrow that you're not going to ruin my reputation!" Martin alisema "of course not Michael! One of the reasons for doing this documentary is to defend you!"
Just as dad was about to respond, he could hear Prince and I arguing in the living room and went to so see what was going on. Martin followed dad into the living room and dad asked "what's going on here?" Prince alisema "AJ took the remote from me!" I alisema "I don't want to watch the fairly odd parents daddy!" Dad asked "well; what do wewe want to watch?" I alisema "I was going to watch the Disney Channel!" Dad asked "a Disney channel cartoon, au one with real people?" I alisema "one with real people!" Dad alisema "that's not going to hold your brother's interest like a cartoon would AJ. Would wewe please put it on a cartoon?" I alisema "but daddy I don't want to!" He alisema "I guarantee wewe that you've probably seen that episode 1000 times… I'll let wewe watch Disney channel later! Do wewe remember what we talked about this morning?" I alisema "yeah" and he alisema "I'm still willing to send wewe to your room for the rest of the day. Now please give Prince the remote!" I tossed Prince the remote control and alisema "Prince always gets what he wants!" Dad alisema "no he doesn't and wewe better stop it." I rolled my eyes and dad and Martin went back to the kitchen.
Then two them went back into the jikoni and Martin "why do wewe call Alanna AJ? Dad alisema "it stands for Alanna Jackson. She prefers that as opposed to just her first name because she is a tomboy. Martin alisema "I spent a lot of time with wewe today and I'm shocked kwa how different AJ is; compared to Prince and Paris." Dad chuckled and alisema "she's definitely a handful that's for sure!" Martin asked "so are we all set to start filming tomorrow Michael?" Dad alisema "yes, just as long as wewe agree to only film the children once and make sure they are wearing masks when wewe do so?" Martin alisema "I really agree with wewe Michael; overexposure for the children is not a good thing! We will be here around 9 o'clock tomorrow morning to set up equipment!" Dad alisema as he walked Martin to the door "okay we'll see wewe then! I'm counting on wewe to make me look good… Don't let me down!"
May 5, 2002,
Dad has been being interviewed kwa Martin Bashir for many months now. He had already filmed Prince, Paris, and I. We were in a hotel room in Berlin Germany, just a few hours after dad had decided to onyesha the mashabiki outside Blanket. kwa this point; every news broadcast network all over the world was inaonyesha footage of what they thought was dad "dangling" the baby over the balcony. Of course the tabloids slowed the footage down to make it seem awful but; that's not at all what happened!
I can honestly say that my father had a very tight grip on Blanket. Under no circumstances would dad have let the baby fall. Of course Martin absolutely had to swali dad about what had actually happened and dad was really reluctant to say anything for fear that it would be taken the wrong way. Today's the last siku of filming and all I can say is that I hope when "living with Michael Jackson" premieres in early 2003… It will be 100% truthful and depict my father in a positive way!
January 12, 2002,
I am really starting to get irritated with how often Gavin and his family are coming to the ranch and dad decided to take Prince, Paris, and I down to New Jersey to spend time with the Cassio family for a week. I upendo going to their house because they are really family oriented people and they are some of the only people that don’t use dad for anything!!!
We walked in the doorway to their cozy house and Denise was standing in the jikoni cooking. Dad dropped 4 duffle bags on the floor and I sat on the couch. Dad walked over and pulled the kofia from my sweatshirt off of my head. He smiled and alisema “I upendo wewe AJ.” I didn’t look up from my video game and alisema “okay.” He sat down inayofuata to me and asked “what’s with the attitude?” I chewed on my gum and alisema “I don’t know what you’re talking about dad!!!” He alisema “you haven’t alisema zaidi than a few words to me in the last couple days and wewe have been calling me dad instead of daddy.” I turned off my video game and looked up at him. He knew that I wanted to say something but I just stared at him. He grabbed hold of my hand and asked “what’s a matter; please tell me?” I stood up and alisema "I don't want to talk about it!" He said. "I wish wewe would because how I am I supposed to fix the problem?" I alisema "what's the point? Once I tell you, wewe won't do anything anyway!" Frank looked at dad and asked "what's wrong with her?" Before dad had the chance to say anything I alisema "I don't know; maybe it's because wewe let Gavin call wewe daddy! Dad asked "that bothers you?" I alisema "of course it does! Why do wewe think I've been calling wewe dad instead of daddy?" I ran outside slamming the door behind me while he looked at Frank in shock.
Dad got up from his chair and Frank said. "Just give her some time to cool down. I don't think she'd respond well to wewe going after her." Dad alisema "I know why she's mad and I'm getting concerned myself." Frank asked "why; what's going?" Dad alisema "Gavin and his brother are out of control." Denise interrupted the conversation and asked "in what way are they out of control?" Dad alisema "they destroy everything and wewe know how I feel about people swearing in front of the children, but; they do all the time. I have even pulled the two of them aside and asked them not to use swearwords in front of the children. I don't even like it when they swear in front of me. Then they eat tons of junk, taka chakula and Alanna wonders why they are allowed to when she isn't. Frank alisema "I hate to say it Michael but; maybe it's time to cut ties with them entirely. Gavin has been healthy for some time now and they seem like they're just using you." Dad got defensive and alisema "I just can't tell them they can't come over anymore Frank!"
I came back inside after calming down and dad alisema "come here AJ." I walked up to him as he sat back down on the kitanda and he gently guided me onto his lap. He asked as he grasped my hand. "Are wewe still mad at me?" I thought about it for a sekunde and alisema "kind of." He alisema "I'll make sure that Gavin doesn't call me daddy anymore, okay?" I alisema as I hugged him "okay; because you're our daddy, not his!"
January 13, 2002,
We were also getting ready to eat chajio, chakula cha jioni at the Cassio family nyumbani and dad alisema he had an announcement to make. As he put some spaghetti, tambi on my plate, and sat back down in his chair, he alisema "I got this call a couple of days zamani from a reporter named Martin Bashir and he wants to produce a documentary about me." Frank practically choked on his chakula and asked "you aren't going to do it… Are you?" Dad alisema "I've really thought about it and talk to this guy for hours about keeping my reputation clean. He seems like a nice guy and I don't think he's going to manipulate anything to make it seem like I'm a bad person!" I alisema "I hope he doesn't make wewe look like the bad daddy!" Dad alisema "I'm going to allow the children to be a part of it. As long as they wear masks to keep their face hidden it will be fine." Frank alisema "I don't think this sounds like a good idea Michael!" Dad asked "why?" Frank said. "Well; wewe don't know anything about this guy’s intentions! He may be getting paid to make wewe look bad! I mean, look at the past interviews you've had in the last few years, they haven't been the nicest." Dad alisema "well; I really think that I am going to follow through with it. Besides, what's the worst that can happen?"
January 17, 2002,
We will be going back to Neverland in just a couple of days and dad really isn't looking mbele to it because he knows that Gavin will want to come over. I started uigizaji out because I know we'll be going nyumbani soon, and I don't want to. The worst part is; dad left my ADHD medication at Neverland kwa mistake and I'm bouncing off the walls!
We had just gotten back to the Cassio family nyumbani after seeing a movie. The best part about being down here is the fact that the last place wewe would think to find Michael Jackson would be here in New Jersey, Prince, Paris, and I were all sitting on the kitanda watching SpongeBob when I decided to do a flip off the back of the couch. I had done it 1000 times before, even though dad had told me not to. This time, instead of landing on my feet, I twisted my ankle and fell to the ground on juu of my foot. I let out a bloodcurdling scream and dad quickly ran over to see what was a matter. He asked "what's wrong?" I didn't want to admit that I was doing a backflip off the couch, but I confessed because I was in so much pain and couldn't think of a lie to tell him. kwa the look on his face, I knew he wanted to tell me "I told wewe so!" But he was too concerned about the amount of pain I was in.
He picked me up and put me on the couch. My foot was bruised and throbbing; anyone could tell that it was clearly broken. Frank said. "We have to take her to the ER Michael!" Dad said. "You guys will have to take a kwa yourself because there's no way I can go into the hospital without getting mauled, even here!" Frank alisema as he picked me up. "Okay, I'll take her kwa myself!" I quickly snatched my mask from the meza, jedwali before we left and got in the car.
About an saa later; I walked into the Cassio house using crutches and wearing a cast. I walked up to dad and he asked as he looked up at Frank "so how bad is it?" Frank said. "Her foot is broken and so are three of her toes!!!" Dad shook his head in disbelief and alisema "I've told wewe so many times AJ not to jump au do flips off of the couch." I alisema "I know wewe have… And I won't do it anymore; I promise!" He alisema "I hate to say it but, I don't believe you!" I asked "why?" He alisema "you told have me wewe won't do something about the times but, then wewe just go and do it anyway! How do wewe expect me to believe wewe anymore? wewe really need to change your attitude because my patience is wearing thin. I'm not saying that I'm mad at wewe because I'm not! I'm very disappointed in wewe though and it's going to take a lot of proving to me to change that. wewe have to remember that your only seven years old!" I alisema "I'm almost 8 years old!" He alisema "that's not the point at all Alanna, wewe need to behave… That's all I'm trying to say. wewe also have to remember that I'm your father and what I say goes. I only tell wewe not to do things because I'm looking at for your best interest." I looked up at Frank hoping that he would cover for me; but all wewe alisema was "your dad's right." I asked "so… I'm in trouble, aren't I?" Dad alisema "well; I think you've learned your lesson because wewe broke your foot! Just promise me wewe won't jump off of anymore couches… And that you'll listen to me when I tell wewe not to do something inayofuata time?" I alisema "okay I won't!" Knowing full well that I would probably defy him within the inayofuata five minutes… But I was willing to say anything to get him off my back!
After we had eaten dinner, all of us sat in the living room and dad alisema "I've come to my decision about the "living with Michael Jackson" documentary." We all looked up at him in suspended silence and then he alisema "I'm going to go through with it!" wewe could tell that Frank was completely baffled kwa what had just come out of my father's mouth and quite frankly; so was I!" Thinking of dad's past track record with interviewers in the past few years and how terrible they made him look. I don't understand why he would want to do this again! I just hope it turns out as good as he thinks it will for his reputation!
January 19, 2002,
We pulled up in front of the gates to the ranch after just getting back from our flight! Dad had asked Frank to come back to the ranch with us because he was contemplating telling Gavin and his family that they couldn't come over anymore. Dad planned one last weekend sleepover and… Then he would just keep contact with them over the phone. He wants to let them down easy so they aren't too disappointed but; without Frank there I don't think he would be able to follow through with it!
I walked through the front door and there were a few messages on the answering machine. I alisema "someone called here daddy!" Dad walked over and alisema "thank wewe sweetheart!" He pressed the play button and it was a woman talking about the baby she was carrying for dad. Her due tarehe is inayofuata mwezi and I can't wait to meet my new baby brother. I can't believe that dad is naming him Prince Michael the second… If I was him I would pick something totally different than my other brother's name.
We had only been in the house for less than five dakika before the phone started ringing off the hook. The caller ID read Gavin's name and the first few times he called dad ignored him, but after a while it started to get really ridiculous because he wasn't giving up! Finally, dad picked up the phone and alisema "if wewe and your brother want to come over for the weekend wewe can. I know I miss wewe too. We'll see wewe then." Dad sighed and alisema "the two of them will be here tomorrow." I was far from thrilled to see them again, I know my dad loves having them around but; I think the only reason why they have a relationship with him still is because of the money that he provides them! I'm glad that Frank sees how they are too and I'm not the only one. It's not my place to say anything because what do I know? I'm only a little kid!!!
January 20, 2002,
Gavin and nyota got here just a few dakika zamani and they're already back to their old ways. They ran into the jikoni and I followed them. Gavin ripped open a bag of cheese doodles and they scattered everywhere. The dog was clearly excited that all this chakula had fallen on the ground because drake hardly ever gets to eat human food. I asked as dad walked into the room "can I eat some of those too daddy?" He asked "how many are left in the bag? Look at this mess!" I alisema "they are the ones who spilled them; not me! There's only a few left in the bag!" I know that dad could tell that I was very irritated with them and he alisema "it's all right; I'll have one of the bodyguards kwa some zaidi for wewe tomorrow!" I looked at him as a bend down to help him pick up the cheese doodles off the floor. He raised his eyebrows and I knew exactly what he was thinking "did they really just walk out of the room without even offering to help pick up this mess that they made? We must have been the jikoni for over 45 dakika cleaning up the small cheese doodles. When I alisema they were everywhere… I mean it! Every time I would go to pick up one of them, I would accidentally step on another one; which obviously made the mess worse!
A few hours later, I was up in my room kwa myself when dad came in to check on me. I was laying in my kitanda working on some school work and he came over and alisema "move over." He lay down on the kitanda inayofuata to me and asked "are wewe okay?" I sighed and alisema "yes; I guess." He saw that I was struggling to understand the word problem that I was working on and asked "do wewe need my help with figuring that out?" I threw my hands up in frustration and alisema "yes please!!!" He spent over 15 dakika going over the problem with me but, I was still confused. Just as I started to understand what he was saying; Gavin came barreling through my bedroom without even knocking on the door. I couldn't keep my mouth shut anymore and alisema "hey; I'm trying to do my school work! wewe didn't even knock on the door before coming in and that's not okay with me! Dad alisema "it's okay AJ; there's no need to get so frustrated and start yelling at him!" I looked Gavin's right in the eyes and alisema "you better get out of my room right now!!!" Gavin laughed at me and asked "what are wewe going to do about it if I don't?" I tried punching him but I was so much shorter than he is! Dad was shouting at this point, saying "Alanna please stop!"
Frank must've heard the commotion coming from upstairs because he eventually came to my bedroom. He alisema shocked with how red my face was "hey; stop it!! Dad pulled me off from Gavin, who was still laughing at my attempt to attack him. Gavin ran out of the room and shut the door behind him. I threw my shoe at the door and dad looked at me, still trying to comprehend what just happened. I alisema "I'm getting so sick of them, they are annoying!" He alisema "that doesn't give wewe the right to hit him!" I alisema "I'm tired of being nice to him; he doesn't deserve it!" Dad alisema "you need to cool off… I'm going downstairs, wewe stay in here." I was zaidi than happy to have some time away from the two of them.
About an saa after we had dinner, I had just taken a kuoga and dad came upstairs, carrying pillows and blankets into one of the guest rooms. Gavin and nyota came running upstairs behind him and dad alisema "okay; the guestroom is all set up for wewe guys. I have to go bring AJ some clothes, I'll be right back! A few dakika later, I went into dad's bedroom and asked "can I sleep in here tonight?" Dad alisema "of course wewe can!" I climbed up on the kitanda and he kissed my forehead. Then Gavin knocked on the door and asked "can we sleep in there with wewe too Michael?" I looked at dad and shook my head "no" he alisema "hang on a second." Dad yelled "Frank, can wewe come here?" Frank walked out of the master bathroom and asked "yeah?" Dad whispered "Gavin and nyota want to sleep in here!" Frank's eyes widened and he alisema "I really don't think wewe should do that Michael!" Dad alisema “here’s what wewe and I are going to do, you're going to sleep in here with me! The two of them will sleep on the bed, you, AJ, and I will sleep on the floor! I don't want there to be any reason for any accusations and this seems to be the only logical way around that!" I was really upset that dad had agreed to let the boys sleep in his bedroom because I was looking mbele to spending quality time with him! The three of us lay on blankets on the floor, while the boys were lying in dad's bed. After watching three Disney sinema in a row, I curled myself up against dad and he wrapped his arms around me. Even though I was asleep, I could hear all of them laughing and having fun. Nothing out of the ordinary went on that night and I know that for a fact!!!! After that, we didn't see much of the boys au their family until we started taping the "living with Michael Jackson" documentary.
February 29, 2002,
My baby brother, Prince Michael the sekunde was born yesterday and dad has nicknamed him "Blanket." I had asked him why he came up with that nickname and he alisema "because he's a blanket of upendo and a sweet Angel of God!" I think dad starting to realize how long it's been since he has had to take care of a newborn baby. He looks exhausted and every time he tries to take a break the baby starts crying again! It just makes me appreciate dad a lot more!!!
I was sitting on the kitanda with my crutches inayofuata to me. We had just gotten back from a trip to Disneyland Paris and were settling in back at the ranch. I hate having my foot broken because I can't really do the things that I'm used to doing. If my foot wasn't broken I would be outside right now climbing trees au jumping on the trampoline. Instead I am stuck in your watching TV and doing school work. One thing's for sure; broken limbs and ADHD don't mix.
After dad had put Blanket down for a nap, he came over and sat inayofuata to me. He alisema "you look unhappy… What's up?" I alisema "I'm just tired of sitting here!" He alisema "I know wewe are; but wewe need to stay off your feet for a while so wewe can heal." Prince came over and alisema "I'll sit here with you!" I alisema "you don't have to!" He alisema "I know but, I want too." Dad alisema "that's so sweet of wewe Prince! You're such a good little brother!" Dad got up from his chair and alisema as he rubbed his eyes "I think I'm going to go take a nap… I'll be back in 40 dakika au so."
I think it will take all of us a little while to adjust to having a baby in the house again. I don't think dad remembered how much work it is to take care of a newborn baby because it's been so long. He will get used to soon though.
March 23, 2002,
Filming begins for the "living with Michael Jackson" documentary tomorrow and Martin Bashir is coming over today to get zaidi acquainted with the family. I was having a very difficult siku behavior wise and Grace is clearly frustrated with me. Dad was getting ready for the siku and none of us had seen him yet this morning. I was in the jikoni sitting at the meza, jedwali playing with the rubber ball that I had won as a prize at the arcade we went to yesterday. I kept bouncing the ball higher and higher and Grace alisema "please stop that before wewe break something." I alisema "no." She came over and took it from me and I stomped upstairs to my room.
I repeatedly slammed the door to my bedroom to onyesha Grace how upset how upset I was with her. Dad was just coming out of his bedroom and he alisema "hey, hey, hey, what are wewe doing that for?" I alisema as I crossed my arms "I'm mad because Grace took the ball away!" He alisema "that doesn't give wewe the right to slam your bedroom door AJ." I kicked the door and he alisema "if you're going to act like that then wewe don't deserve to have the ball anyway!" I whined "but its mine daddy!!!" He alisema "you know I won't let wewe get away with uigizaji like a brat and Mr. Bashir is coming over today so wewe need to be on your best behavior… Understood?" I didn't answer him and gave him a look of irritation. He knelt down and alisema "that's what I'm talking about right there! Enough of that… There is no reason for it and if wewe keep that up wewe will be up here in your room kwa yourself while everyone else is having fun." I knew I didn't want that so; after a few dakika of calming down I went downstairs.
The doorbell started ringing and I answered it. I alisema "daddy; I think it's for you!" It was a tall man with a tan and brown hair who was wearing glasses. Dad came over and alisema as he shook hands with him "nice to finally meet wewe face to face Martin!" Martin alisema "I'm so glad wewe agreed to do this documentary." I asked Martin "where are all the cameras at?" Dad and Martin laughed and Martin alisema "they won't be here till tomorrow." I asked "daddy; how come the cameras aren't here today?" Dad looked down at me and alisema "I wanted to give Mr. Bashir sometime wewe get to know us before we started filming." I alisema "oh" and hobbled away using my crutches.
Dad and Martin sat down at the jikoni meza, jedwali and Martin asked "how did Alanna break her foot?" Dad alisema as he took a sip of his chai "she was doing a back flip off of my Marafiki kitanda and she landed on her foot." Martin asked "is Debbie her mother also?" Dad alisema "yes; as well as Prince and Paris's." Martin alisema "I have to say Michael; your kids really do look like you, especially Blanket!" Dad alisema "I just want to make sure before we start filming tomorrow that you're not going to ruin my reputation!" Martin alisema "of course not Michael! One of the reasons for doing this documentary is to defend you!"
Just as dad was about to respond, he could hear Prince and I arguing in the living room and went to so see what was going on. Martin followed dad into the living room and dad asked "what's going on here?" Prince alisema "AJ took the remote from me!" I alisema "I don't want to watch the fairly odd parents daddy!" Dad asked "well; what do wewe want to watch?" I alisema "I was going to watch the Disney Channel!" Dad asked "a Disney channel cartoon, au one with real people?" I alisema "one with real people!" Dad alisema "that's not going to hold your brother's interest like a cartoon would AJ. Would wewe please put it on a cartoon?" I alisema "but daddy I don't want to!" He alisema "I guarantee wewe that you've probably seen that episode 1000 times… I'll let wewe watch Disney channel later! Do wewe remember what we talked about this morning?" I alisema "yeah" and he alisema "I'm still willing to send wewe to your room for the rest of the day. Now please give Prince the remote!" I tossed Prince the remote control and alisema "Prince always gets what he wants!" Dad alisema "no he doesn't and wewe better stop it." I rolled my eyes and dad and Martin went back to the kitchen.
Then two them went back into the jikoni and Martin "why do wewe call Alanna AJ? Dad alisema "it stands for Alanna Jackson. She prefers that as opposed to just her first name because she is a tomboy. Martin alisema "I spent a lot of time with wewe today and I'm shocked kwa how different AJ is; compared to Prince and Paris." Dad chuckled and alisema "she's definitely a handful that's for sure!" Martin asked "so are we all set to start filming tomorrow Michael?" Dad alisema "yes, just as long as wewe agree to only film the children once and make sure they are wearing masks when wewe do so?" Martin alisema "I really agree with wewe Michael; overexposure for the children is not a good thing! We will be here around 9 o'clock tomorrow morning to set up equipment!" Dad alisema as he walked Martin to the door "okay we'll see wewe then! I'm counting on wewe to make me look good… Don't let me down!"
May 5, 2002,
Dad has been being interviewed kwa Martin Bashir for many months now. He had already filmed Prince, Paris, and I. We were in a hotel room in Berlin Germany, just a few hours after dad had decided to onyesha the mashabiki outside Blanket. kwa this point; every news broadcast network all over the world was inaonyesha footage of what they thought was dad "dangling" the baby over the balcony. Of course the tabloids slowed the footage down to make it seem awful but; that's not at all what happened!
I can honestly say that my father had a very tight grip on Blanket. Under no circumstances would dad have let the baby fall. Of course Martin absolutely had to swali dad about what had actually happened and dad was really reluctant to say anything for fear that it would be taken the wrong way. Today's the last siku of filming and all I can say is that I hope when "living with Michael Jackson" premieres in early 2003… It will be 100% truthful and depict my father in a positive way!