ALL NOVEL Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Struggles Begin
Chapter 3: The Struggles Begin
Episode 3: Behind Closed Doors
Year: 1959
Month: May
Age: 9 months
---
Katherine Jackson's Perspective (Mother):
Michael is growing so fast. It feels like just yesterday I held him in my arms, marveling at his tiny hands and feet. Now, he's crawling around the house, exploring the world in his own way. His laughter fills the room, and my heart swells with pride every time he reaches for something new or shows his curiosity. I can see the spark in his eyes, the same spark I've always believed was there, destined for greatness.
But there's something else I've noticed. Lately, there's tension in the house. Joseph has been different. He's distant, cold. I've seen him yell at the kids more, his patience running thin, especially with Michael. I've watched him push Michael to do things before he's ready, making him try to stand and walk, telling him to perform. I know Joe wants them to be successful, but sometimes I wonder if he understands how much pressure he's putting on them. How much pressure he's putting on Michael.
Michael is still so small—only nine months old. He shouldn't have to feel this burden yet. But I see Joseph, his eyes filled with determination, and I can tell he believes that if he pushes hard enough, if he demands enough, Michael will be something greater than any of us could imagine. But I'm scared. Scared that his love for success is overshadowing his love for his children. Scared that it's becoming too much for Michael, even at his young age.
---
Joseph Jackson's Perspective (Father):
Michael. My son. He's got something. I can feel it. The boy is strong, and he's already showing signs of being a star. His eyes—there's something about his eyes. They've got that fire in them, that drive. It's something I don't see in the other kids, not like I do with him. I've seen other people with that same spark—people who make it big. They rise above the rest. And I'll be damned if my son doesn't rise to the top. He will be better than anyone.
I push him. Maybe it's too soon, but it's for his own good. I'm not doing this to hurt him. I'm doing this because I know what it takes to make it in this world. People don't just get handed success. They have to work for it, fight for it, every damn day. I'm not going to let my son waste his potential. If I have to make him do it, I will.
I've been hard on him lately, maybe harder than I should be. But I won't stop. Not when I know he can be something great. The others—they're good, but Michael? He's got something special. Something they don't have. I'll make him into the star he's meant to be.
---
Jackie Jackson's Perspective (Older Brother):
It's hard to watch. I can see how much pressure Joseph is putting on Michael. It's like he's already treating him like an adult, expecting so much from him. Sometimes I think Dad forgets that Michael is just a baby. He's only nine months old. He shouldn't have to live up to these huge expectations already.
I've tried talking to Michael, but he's too little to understand me. He just looks at me with those big, innocent eyes, like he's confused. He doesn't deserve this. None of us do. But I know Joseph won't listen to anyone, especially not me. He believes he's doing the right thing, pushing us all to be better, to do more. But it's hard to watch him push Michael like this.
I try to keep my distance when Joseph starts raising his voice. I don't want to get involved, but I can't help but feel guilty. Michael is my brother, and I want to protect him from this. He's just a baby. He doesn't need to be treated like a machine.
---
Tito Jackson's Perspective (Older Brother):
Michael has been growing up so fast. Nine months old already! He's crawling and even starting to babble, which is incredible to watch. I love seeing him learn, seeing him discover the world around him. But lately, things have been tense. I see how much pressure Joseph is putting on him, trying to get him to do things he's not ready for. He pushes him too hard, and it's starting to wear on Michael.
I want to stand up to Joseph, but I'm not sure how. I'm just a kid myself, and sometimes it feels like Joseph doesn't even listen when we try to talk to him. It's like he's blind to what's happening. Michael shouldn't have to feel like he has to perform. He's just a baby. He should be playing, not being forced to do things that don't come naturally to him.
---
Jermaine Jackson's Perspective (Older Brother):
I've been trying to help Michael when I can. When Joseph isn't around, I take him in my arms and just hold him. It's the only time I see him calm down, when he feels safe and loved. He's just a baby, but I can see the stress in his little face. He's not a machine. He's a person. I wish Joseph could see that.
I've started to notice how Joseph looks at Michael differently from the rest of us. It's not just love I see in his eyes—it's something else. Expectation. Demand. He expects Michael to be the best, and he's going to make sure of it. I understand that Joseph wants the best for all of us, but it's too much. Michael needs time. He's not ready for the spotlight yet, and I wish Joseph would understand that.
---
Marlon Jackson's Perspective (Younger Brother):
I'm still too young to understand what's really going on, but I can feel it. I see it in Michael's eyes—he's stressed, and it breaks my heart. He's only nine months old, and Joseph is already making him try to do things he's not ready for. I wish there was something I could do to make it stop.
Michael just wants to play, to explore, to be a baby. But Joseph won't let him. It's not fair. It's not right. I'm not sure what I can do, but I know I want to protect Michael. I don't want him to feel like he has to be perfect all the time. He's just a little boy, and he should be allowed to be one.
---
The Family's Tension:
In the quiet moments between Joseph's demands and Katherine's attempts to soothe Michael, the tension in the Jackson household becomes palpable. While Katherine is constantly there, providing comfort and love, Joseph is focused on molding Michael into something greater. He believes in pushing his children, especially Michael, to their limits to make them succeed.
But as the months pass, the pressure begins to mount. Joseph's harsh words and expectations start to take their toll. Michael's laughter becomes quieter, his movements more hesitant. The family can feel it—a change in the atmosphere, a shift that's hard to ignore.
Though they love their father, the Jackson children begin to question whether Joseph's vision for their future is worth the cost. And Michael, in his small, innocent way, begins to feel the weight of a destiny that is being thrust upon him—one that may come too soon.
The road ahead is uncertain. Michael has already started to show signs of brilliance, but what price will he pay for his success? The Jackson family will soon realize that the cost of ambition may be higher than they ever imagined.