One mese later agrifoglio is visiting Michael and his brothers at their variety mostra in Los Angeles. Since the visit at Michael’s house, Mrs. Williams has been pushing for agrifoglio to visit Michael as much as he would permit, which would be all the time if Michael he could have it his way. But inviting her to the variety mostra is always a way to get Mrs. William to say yes. Within only a short amount of time, agrifoglio has taken quickly to Michael. Now it would be unusual for agrifoglio not to call him every night after his work to see how his giorno was. Her young innocence is a breath of fresh air for Michael, making him smile every time he thinks of her. Slowly but surely he has been chipping away at her strong exterior and trying to make like a regular kid – but he knows deep down that he is fighting a losing battle. Every time she leaves to go home and be with her mom he knows that she would be reverted back to being a mini adult.

Michael looks over at agrifoglio sitting beside him in the backseat on the way back to Michael’s home. She is resting her head on his shoulder fast asleep he smiles at the sight. For only being two in the afternoon she is beyond tired. Their taping is always early in the giorno and then airs later that evening. As they approach his house he doesn’t have the cuore to wake her up, the whole giorno she has seemed slightly off, not her usual self. Tonight she is performing and she needs any amount of sleep she can get. Even though she is not his sister, Michael cannot help but feel a sense of responsibility for her well-being. Sometimes he feels he cares più about her than her own mother.

As the driver pulls them into the driveway and stops at the front door. Michael lightly whispers “Holly” before tapping her shoulder. She stirs and looks around with squinting eyes before looking up at him. “Are we back?” “Yep, I’m sorry to wake you. When we go inside te can lie down before te leave.” She slowly nods her head and opens the door and gets out slowly – too slowly and Michael notices it. “Holly, are te okay?” As he gets out of the car and shuts the door and he can see her face is paler than usual. She nods her head slowly “yes.” Michael furrows his brow and walks up the walkway with agrifoglio trailing back behind him. Suddenly he hears a retching sound. Turning around he sees agrifoglio bending over throwing up in the bushes that line the walkway to the door. “Holly!” He runs over to her and holds her dangling hair in a makeshift ponytail as she continues to vomit profusely over and over till she is in strong heaves.

“Holly, let me get te inside.” “I…I can’t walk,” she mutters in-between heaves. Katherine opens the front door “What’s all the commotion?” “Mother, agrifoglio is sick.” “Bring her in! I’ll get the guest room ready for her to lie in and call her mother.” “Michael…I can’t stand up…it hurts too much,” agrifoglio croaks. “Then I’ll carry you.” He swiftly picks her up and carries her in his arms, slightly surprising agrifoglio even in her woozy and nauseated state. He takes her inside and upstairs to their guest bedroom where Katherine is busy turning down the bed. As Michael gently places her on it Katherine pulls the covers over her and grabs Holly’s hand lovingly. “Sweetie, I’m going to call your mother and tell her that te are ill. Then I’m going to call our doctor to come and look at you. Can te tell me what hurts exactly?”

Holly’s eyes flutter as she looks rapidly around the room. “Umm, my head is pounding so bad and my stomach is upset, and everything feels so hot.” Katherine tenderly grabs ahold of Holly’s chin and makes her look at her in the eyes. “Your eyes are glassy. I’m going to call. te just lay here and rest. Michael go get agrifoglio a cold compress.” As she leaves Michael obeys quickly and gets her the compress; laying it on her forehead as she has her eyes closed. She opens them up slowly. “I’m so sorry.” “Don’t be, there is nothing to be sorry about.” agrifoglio turns her head towards the baia windows. “Holly, talk to me. What’s going on in that head of yours?” Michael sits down on his knees that are eye level with Holly. “How am I going to perform tonight?” “You just won’t it’s that simple.” She turns her head where Michael can see tears welling up in her eyes. “My mom won’t agree.” “Holly, you’re sick, she has to agree. Once the doctor gets here and looks at te he will agree. Now close your eyes and rest.” “Will te stay with me?” She holds out her hand and grabs the tops of his hand, clutching it so tight that he can feel her handshake. “I’ll stay here as long as te like. Now close your eyes.” She gives him a weak smile before closing her eyes. Michael un-tucks his legs and sits beside the letto as agrifoglio naps now holding her hand.

Michael’s eyes flutter open as he hears the noise of feet stomping up the stairs. Noises are following it. He looks over at agrifoglio who is soundly asleep with her face turned towards him. Michael delicately takes his hand out of hers and stands up, as the guest room door swings open. A trio of their private physician Dr. Norman, his mother, and Mrs. Williams enter the room. Dr. Norman looks annoyed as Mrs. Williams is chatting away to him about Holly’s predicament for performing tonight. agrifoglio stirs at the noise and slowly opens her eyes. Katherine walks over to her and grabs her hand with a gentle tenderness. “How te feelin’ honey?” Katherine asks sweetly. agrifoglio winces “It still hurts.” She looks over and sees her mom standing there. “Mom, what are te doing here?” “I came to pick te up for your performance tonight.” “Now hold on a minute, this girl is not going anywhere till I examine her,” Dr. Norman interjects walking up to her. “Ms. Holly, I’m Dr. Norman, I’m going to examine te to see what’s exactly wrong. Is that alright?” She nods her head, “Okay.” “Now, when did your headache start?” “Early, a little after I got up. It…it started getting worse afterwards.” “I see what symptoms did te have?” “My stomach got upset, and I got sick. I got really hot and started seeing spots in my vision.” “Anything else like numbness, dizziness?” “Yeah, I had some dizziness too.” “How do te feel now?” agrifoglio looks over at her mom and then back at Dr. Norman. “My head is still pounding and my stomach is still upset.” “Alright, let me examine you.”

Michael steps back to let Dr. Norman do his examination, standing da the wall. He feels so helpless at this point. There is no amount of money he could give to make her feel better. Seeing her in pain in discomfort gives him pain and discomfort too. The only thing he does know is that he won’t let agrifoglio go to do that performance tonight, even if he has to body block the door. He sees Dr. Norman look back at Mrs. Williams and ask “Is she pre-menstrual?” It makes Michael flush at the question. “Yes, she still is, unfortunately. Would that have something to do with it?” As Dr. Norman risposte the question, Michael tries to not hear the words. The thought of agrifoglio and a period that is an underlying connection to sex makes his face flush and feel hot.

“Well, I’m done with the examination,” Dr. Norman announces putting his tools back in his black medical bag. “What do te think Dr.?” Katherine asks holding on to Holly’s hand. “Can she perform tonight?” Mrs. Williams adds. Dr. Norman looks at Mrs. Williams with annoyance. “No, Mrs. Williams, she won’t be. She is experiencing a migraine triggered da stress and anxiety. What I prescribe for Ms. agrifoglio is to rest here the rest of the night and tomorrow as well.” Michael can feel a sigh of relief at the news. “Now wait one minute! agrifoglio cannot miss tonight’s performance. She is performing for Johnny Carson tonight and tomorrow she is doing a photo-shoot tomorrow,” Mrs. Williams exclaims. agrifoglio winces at the words and squirms uncomfortably the covers. Katherine walks over to Mrs. Williams and holds her hands out to her shoulders, “Mrs. Williams, I understand that agrifoglio has a busy schedule and is that crucial point in starting her career, but if agrifoglio does not rest and get well she will be no use to anyone. Now why don’t te go on home and take it easy, agrifoglio will be well taken care of here.” Michael walks over to agrifoglio and grabs ahold of her hand, rubbing her knuckles softly with thumb. Mrs. Williams scowls at Katherine. “With all due respect Mrs. Jackson, but I think I know what is best for my daughter, and what is best for her does not include lying in letto for two days accomplishing nothing!” Katherine takes a step back and crosses her arms with a raised eyebrow. Michael knows that it look – it is her don’t attraversare, croce me look. agrifoglio closes her eyes and groans. Michael squeezes her hand in comfort.

“Mrs. Williams, I understand te are upset right now at the missed opportunity – but there will be another one, there is always is another one. That is mostra business; I know this più than anyone else. As for Holly, she is not leaving this house until she is well enough without throwing up in my rose bushes. Do we understand each other?” Dr. Norman coughs with an uncomfortable air as the silence thickens between the two moms. “I’ll send te my bill. Call me if she gets worse and I’ll pop back over,” Dr. Norman interjects walking out of the room. “Well, I see how it is,” Mrs. Williams mumbles looking at Katherine then to Michael holding Holly’s hand with agrifoglio lying in bed. “Fine. I’ll pick her up giorno after tomorrow. If she gets worse, phone me.” Without another word, Mrs. Williams leaves without even baciare agrifoglio goodbye. Katherine looks back at the two of them. “Holly, sweetheart, I’m going to get te some Coca Cola syrup for your stomach.” As she closes the door behind her Michael looks down at her and smiles, bending down to her, “Well somebody is going to be our house guest for a couple of days.” “I don’t want to be a bother though,” agrifoglio mumbles.” “You’re not a bother. This will be fun! Now te just rest and enjoy some rest.” Michael stands up to leave the room. “Michael.” “Yes, Holly.” “Will te stay with me?” Michael smiles and walks over to her, “Of course.” He sits down beside the letto and holds her hand. “I will be right here if te need me.” “Thank you, Michael.” For Michael it’s nice to feel needed and wanted, it gives him a feeling deep down inside that he has never felt before – something strange and foreign, and the scariest part for him is that he doesn’t know if he can stop it.