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MJ It was a chilly March night in 1988 when me, my brother Carl and my parents left Madison Square Garden and headed east across Manhattan. The crowd that had left the Garden had started to dissipate the further east we walked. Carl and I were singing Man in the Mirror, the last song that Michael Jackson had performed to a sold out crowd. We still couldnt believe that we had actually been there to see him perform. My parents were behind us and smiling as we talked about the great shoe lean from his performance of Smooth Criminal. I still dont know how he does that, I said excitedly. I thought it was a camera trick on video. I cant believe he actually did the lean! Then Carl and I yelled out, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? My dad had been snapping pictures the whole night. He bought a new lens and was anxious to try it out so he didnt miss a moment. Every number Michael performed my dad got a shot of it. Ill have to drop these in the mail on Monday and order rush service, he said. I cant wait to see how these pictures come out. What great seats we had. We did have very amazing seats. One level off the floor and twelve rows back off to the side of the stage. The angle was good enough for us to see all the performances and close enough that we didnt need to bring binoculars like when we would go to the baseball games. I cant believe Janet was so close to us, Carl said, referring to Janet Jackson who was seven rows in front of us. I just wish the guards had let me get close enough to get her autograph. Yea but you were sitting next to Captain Lou Albano, I said, referring to the famed wrestler from the now defunct WWF. At least you got his autograph.

Yea. I cant believe you didnt know that was Cindy Lauper sitting next to him. Not until you told me, I replied. You should have told me earlier I would have gotten an autograph from her. I was a little bummed that I didnt get the chance to say hi to her since I was a big fan of hers. Well she saw me looking at her but she put her finger to her lips to tell me not to say anything. I guess she didnt want anyone to know she was there, I said. Then I looked around and saw we were passing the train station. Where are we going? I asked my parents. Manny wanted us to come to see him at the hotel, my mother said. So were going over there for a while. Manny was short for Emmanuel Lewis of televisions Webster fame. He had been one of my moms students in junior high school when she taught math. Mannys mother and my mom, however, had been good friends for year prior to him being her student. Carl and I had gotten to know him through his early television years in commercial and, of course, his television series. Whenever he came over to the house to visit with his mom it was always a great time. In the beginning, when he first started to come by our home, Carl and I used to make a huge deal out of it. It wasnt everyday that a major celebrity hung out at the Abbott household. But after several years of really getting to know him, he became more like family rather than someone famous. We would periodically hang out with him in public where we would witness first hand throngs of people trying to get autographs and photos of him or with him. At first it used to scare us the way people would him. In our eyes, we forgot that he was still a huge deal to so many other people.

We became so accustomed to the autograph hounds that over time whenever we met someone famous, we never mobbed them or badgered them for autographs. If a famous person turned us down for an autograph, we respectfully thanked them for saying hello and we appreciated all of their work. We learned how to act around famous people, in part, thanks to Manny. Manny was never bothered by it. As he once told me, it came with the territory. He always had a smile and an intoxicating laugh about life. At the height of his popularity, Manny met and became friends with Michael Jackson. They were one everything from awards shows to candid shots from fans at Disneyland. We were always anxious to ask him what it was like to hang out with Michael whenever we saw him. Manny treated the situation like he was coming to hang out with us. He never made a huge deal about it. Carl and I had hoped that one day Manny would show up at our front door with Michael in tow. What an incredible story it would have made to all of our friends. But that was always a pipe dream. Michael Jackson was not known for showing up at other peoples doorsteps. Still, it was a good pipe dream. It was through him we got the tickets for the Michael Jackson concert since he knew Michael personally. The concert had been sold out for months and we never dreamed we would ever see the renowned King of Pop live. When Mannys mother called our parents to tell them they were taking all of us to see the concert, Carl and I were too excited. It was our very first concert ever so we didnt know what to expect. We spent the night cheering and singing to every song Michael belted out. Periodically Manny would turn around and smile at us and we would high five him. Michael himself was amazing. He performed all the hits from his days with the Jackson 5 to his then current Bad

album. Each number was a meticulously designed showpiece. From the high energy Another Part of Me to the ghoulish zombie dance in Thriller, we didnt take our eyes off his every move. When he did his trademark moonwalk during Billie Jean, the crowd went wild. He ended it by tossing his fedora into the crowd causing chaos among those on the floor trying to get it. The show ended with Michael singing Man in the Mirror and everyone in the building singing with him. Manny got up during the middle of the song and slipped out with his family. With very few people leaving, Manny was able to avoid a mob. But before he left, he told my parents to come to the hotel where he was staying to hang out for a while. So from Madison Square Garden we trekked east across the city to the New York Helmsley Hotel. We were anxious to thank the Lewis for their generosity. When we reached the Helmsley, there were people swarming in and out. It was still an early Saturday night and people were now heading out to parties and restaurants. The lobby was beautiful but we didnt get to admire it much. Mannys sister was waiting for us and she quickly led us across the lobby to a guarded elevator bay. Two guards stood at a velvet rope and were checking to make sure people who were guests in the building only got by. Mannys sister told us to wait as she approached with the guards. We couldnt hear what she was telling them but they were listening intently to her. When she was done, one of the guards waved to my dad to come over. My dad ushered us forward and past the ropes. We walked to the last elevator and waited. Mannys upstairs already. Hes being silly, she said with a smile. You know how he gets when hes excited. Did you guys like the show? It was great, I said.

When the elevator came, a crowd of people got off. All of them dressed to go out on the town. We slipped on just as a small group of people started to form behind us. One of them saw the Michael Jackson program Carl was holding and asked him about the show. He and my parents did most the talking on the ride up. The elevator took us to the top floor and we got off into a large hallway where there were several people hanging out. We followed Mannys sister down the hall and into a large ballroom. The two level ballroom was packed with people, a large bar and food. It looked like a large party was happening with people talking and music playing. Carl and I looked at one another curiously. Manny hadnt told us about a party. We could barely keep up with his sister through the crowd. My dad put his hand on my shoulder and moved me forward. He could see over the crowd. As I avoided walking into people, a tall muscular man walked into me. I stopped as he grabbed my shoulders. I looked up and was shocked to see it was boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. Whoa, sorry about that, buddy, he said, and then he looked at my dad. Hows it going? Good, good, my dad said to him and shook his hand. Sugar Ray stepped around me and kept walking. I looked up at my dad excitedly. Yeah, that was Sugar Ray Leonard, he said with a smile. Milton! Look! my mother said as she pointed across the room. I couldnt see who she was pointing at, but my father nodded and waved to whoever it was they saw. Guys, come this way, Mannys sister said. We followed her out of the ballroom and into another hallway. This hallway was much longer than the last and there was only one door at the very end on the left side. There was no

one in this hallway. We were halfway down it when the door opened and Manny stepped out of the room behind it. He was laughing and doing his impersonation of Michael Jackson in Beat It. We started laughing. You made it, he said. Whats up, Manny, I said. Why are you out here dancing in the hall? Come in, he said to us, and then he quickly went back in the room. We followed him in, watching him dance. It was a large bedroom, but there was nothing special about it. We saw Mannys mother standing off to the side talking to a tall man dressed in a red shirt, black pants and wavy black hair. His back was to us so we couldnt see who it was. Manny walked over to him, tapped him. My friends are here, Manny said. The man turned around and all of us stopped dead in our tracks. Standing five feet from us was Michael Jackson himself. He smiled and waved at all of us. Hello, he said in his gentle voice. Time stopped, I was sure of it. You could hear a pin drop in the room. My entire body froze. The word hello became foreign to me and when Michael extended his hand for me to shake it. I just stared at him. Shake the mans hand! my dad barked as he nudged me forward. Manny was laughing, not because I was afraid to approach the King of Pop, but because he had successfully kept this little surprise quiet. He had told Michael earlier that he wanted him to meet us and he quietly set up the private meeting for all of us. Carl greeted Michael next. He quietly shook his hand. My parents, however, were more outgoing. My mother introduced herself adding that she used to be Mannys teacher. Michael

smiled and gave her an extra hand shake. My dad, who didnt seem fazed one bit by meeting Michael, firmly shook his hand. Great show. Truly fantastic, my dad said to Michael. You were phenomenal. Thank you. Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it, he replied with a smile. Billie Jean has always been one of my favorites, my mother said, then she said something funny and Michael laughed. I stood there in shock and awe. The shock was that I was actually standing in the presence of one of my childhood idols. The awe was how normal he was acting with my parents. The two of them were talking as though Michael was an old family friend. I still had no clue what to say. Neither did Carl. All we could do is stare and process the event. I tried to think of something to ask him, but my mind was a blank. Mannys sister began talking to Michael after awhile and soon everyone in the room was conversing except me and Carl. You think hell sign the program? Carl asked me. I dont know. Ask him, I said. You ask him, Carl replied. I dont know how, I said. Hey! Why are you two standing there? my father said. Go over there and speak to the man. Whats wrong with you? I couldnt wrap my head around the fact that my dad wasnt shocked by all of this. He seemed a bit annoyed with Carl and me for not being more outgoing. Normally we would have been, but this was Michael Jackson. How do you be outgoing toward the most famous entertainer in the world?

Carl took the initiative and walked over to Michael while Mannys sister spoke to him. Excuse me, Michael? Will you sign this? Carl asked. Sure, he said as he took the program. Do you have a pen? I do, I said as I approached and reached in my coat and took out a pen. Michael signed his name, handed the program back and started talking to my mom. My dad started taking photos. Michael didnt protest. He seemed so happy to be around us that he didnt even care that he was being photographed. A stark contrast from what the media claimed. Here before us was the notoriously private Michael Jackson being open and friendly. After a while, I crossed the room and sat down in a chair. I stared at Michael and tried my best to soak it all in. I wanted to try and remember every detail of the night. I was taking in every split second of Michaels actions and how he looked. How my parents were behaving so carefree and how Manny just couldnt stop laughing and having a good time. You okay? Mannys mom asked me. I think so, I said smiling. I cant believe its really him. Dont be scared of him. You should take a picture with him, she said. Go. I got up and crossed the room. Michael was laughing at something that my mother had said to him and I remember saying to myself Wow, my mom is making Michael Jackson laugh. I looked across the room at my dad who was talking to a black man with glasses and slightly receding hairline. He looked familiar, but I couldnt place where I knew him from. My dad and he were going over something on his camera and when I got closer I heard the conversation was about the lenses. Dad, I want to get a picture with Michael, I said. Okay, my dad said, then he turned to the man next to him. Let me take this picture.

Its cool, the man said. Hey, it was nice meeting you. You too, man. My dad shook the mans hand, and then turned to me. Who was that? I asked. Some guy who wanted to know about the lenses I use for my camera. Go one over there and stand next to Michael, my dad said. I made my way over to Michael. He was still talking to my mother so I waited for the right moment to interrupt. Yall get together, my dad called out. Let me get one of everyone. Mom and Carl stood next to each other. Mannys sister moved to the left as I walked around. Stand here, Michael said to me and as I stepped in next to him, he put his arm around me like we were old friends. My dad took the photo of all of us. He then pointed to me, rolled his hand and then pointed to Michael. That was his way of urging me to ask Michael for a picture. Hey Michael, you think I could get one with you? Sure, he said. Give me a moment. Michael turned to Carl and said something to him before turning to me. He pointed to my dad and nodded, letting him know he was ready. My dad prepped the camera and took aim. Michael put his arm around me again and we took the picture. When we were done I got a good look at the man up close. Michael was a thin man, pale skin and a thin nose. You could see that he had work done on his face from the indentions in his cheeks. All the pictures I had seen of him had made him

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look much different than he did in front of me. I studied his face as fast as I could, trying my best to remember him at that moment before he walked away from me. We stayed a few more minutes while my dad and Michael talked. Carl stepped up next to me. No one is going to believe this. Its going to take dad at least a week to get those pictures back from the shop, Carl said. I know. But I cant wait until her gets the pictures done, I said smiling. Then I saw my dad shake Michaels hand and my mother hug Mannys mom and thank her. Without them even saying it, I knew it was time to go. Dont just stand there, come say goodbye and thank Michael for the pictures, my dad barked. Carl and I walked over and shook his hand, thanked him for the pictures and autographs and just stared at him. It was nice meeting you guys. Glad you enjoyed the show, Michael said. Thank you for taking time out to meet us, my mom said. It was my pleasure, he said to her. Youre such nice people. Take care. As we started to leave, I took one last look at Michael as he joked with Manny. He started laughing and I retained that laugh and smile to memory. Mannys mom said something to Manny and he turned and followed us. We quietly left the room and made our way down the hall with Manny, his mom and sister behind us. When we got to the elevator, I turned to Manny and started grinning. Manny, with his trademark laugh, started cracking up. You okay? he asked me.

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I just nodded. I couldnt even speak.

After saying our goodbyes in the lobby, we walked down to Grand Central Station in silence. Carl clutched the program tight while my mom had her arm around him. Well forget sending these pictures out to get developed. Im going to take these to the one hour photo at Kings Plaza tomorrow, my dad said looking at the camera. I cant put these in the shop. Someone will steal these for sure. He looked at me. Why didnt you tell Michael you sing? What? I asked Why didnt you tell Michael you sing? You should have told him, my dad said. It had completely slipped my mind to say something. I was a vocal major at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts (the Fame school as it was often referred to based on the fact that the movie from the early 80s centered on the school) and had been singing for years. I was a really good singer, but the whole time I was there in the room I never thought to tell Michael. Most people probably would have walked in there and started belting out songs. The thought never entered my mind. Leave him alone, Milton, my mother said. The boy could have belted out a couple of notes. Who knows, he might have ended up on tour with the man, my dad said with a smile and a wink. I smiled back as he put his arm around me as we entered Grand Central Station. One the ride back home, Carl fell asleep. I sat there thinking over every single moment of the night when my mom tapped me. I bet you wont forget this night for the rest of your life, she said.

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I nodded then turned to my dad. You didnt take a picture with him, I said. Its okay, he said. I took them so thats enough for me. He looked at my mom. You know I meant to get that guys name I was talking to about the lenses. The guy you were showing your camera too, I said. Yeah. Mom? Who was that you saw in the ballroom? What? When we were walking through the ballroom, you pointed to someone. Who was it? My mom smiled. Earth, Wind and Fire, a band your dad and I like. So what did you think of him? my dad asked. You finally got to meet your idol. I smiled. He was so outgoing and friendly. I thought he was a shy person. Well, famous people are always different in person than what you see in magazines and papers, my dad said. But, yes he was nice to all of us. You didnt want Michaels autograph, dad? Na, you guys got it, he said. I couldnt tell if my dad wasnt impressed by the whole thing or if he was just trying to act really cool about everything that had happened. Then he turned to me, smiled and said quietly Good ole Michael Jackson, huh? I smiled back and lowered my head. At some point I fell asleep.

The next day, Carl and I came down for breakfast to find both our parents up. Dad was dressed and putting the film from his camera into small containers to take to the photo shop. Mom was on the phone. She looked at us as we came in the kitchen.

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No thats okay. Tell him its nice of him to offer, but theyre all Michael Jacksoned out. We froze and stared at her. Even my dad was curious about the remark. No, thank you again. Yes, Milton is going to get the pictures developed now. She got quiet and looked at him. Who? She listened again. Okay Ill tell him. And tell Manny well see him soon. Thanks again. We didnt need to ask who it was on the phone, but we wanted to know about the Michael Jackson comment. What was that about? my dad asked. Manny wanted Marc and Carl to come and hang out with him and Michael for the afternoon but I said no. What? Michael wanted to hang out with us and you said no? I yelled. Listen, you already met him and it was nice enough for that happen. You never want to overdo it. Cherish the opportunity you had. Be thankful, Mom said with a smile. She turned to my dad and said, Oh, and Quincy Jones said to tell you thanks for the camera tip. What do you mean Quincy Jones said thanks for the camera tip? I didnt see Quincy Jones there, he said. He was the man you were talking to in the room. Something about a lens, mom said. Well Ill be doggone! he said as he looked at me. I thought I recognized him. My mind went back to when I saw Quincy talking to my dad. I remembered then where I had seen him before. My dad owned several of his albums and I had seen his face on the back of one.

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Needless to say, my dad brushed it off and ran off to get the pictures developed. When he came home, he gave me the picture of me and Michael. That Monday I took the picture to school to show everyone in my music classes. After that I carried the photo around everywhere I went for nearly a month. After awhile, however, people I knew began to ridicule me about the photo, cheapening my experience by making it the butt of jokes. Some accused me of taking a picture with an impersonator. The final blow came when someone I was called a show off. I placed the photo away in a photo album and never took it back out again. I also never mentioned the night again to anyone voluntarily. Every so often I would mention it should a conversation come up about famous people I had met, but over the years I kept it to myself. In 2005, when Michael died, I was pretty broken up about it. I had not seen him on that personal level since 1988, but I stayed a devoted fan. I decided to post the picture on Facebook as personal thank you. Those closest to me were shocked to see it and reached out to me regarding the how and when I got to meet him. Telling the story rekindled that special feeling I felt back on that chilly March night in 1988. I have met many famous people since that time. Some of them I have been really excited to meet, some I have even had the pleasure to work with. While I cherish every one of those meetings, this was the one that I will always remember.

Copyright 2012 Marc L Abbott