Chapter 43: Deja
DeShawn plans on looking for a condo closer to Malik and his niece in Atlanta. Malik's busy talking to DeShawn on the phone while just chilling out back, watching Jasmine running around the sprinkler when he hits on an idea that will help DeShawn and himself out. "DeShawn, you said you're looking for a place, right?"
"Yeah, bro, these prices out your area have gone up!"
"Hell, yeah. These real estate agents still act like the Olympics are still in town." Malik looks over at Jasmine. "Hey, since you will be closer to us, why don't we get something together? I need a new place. This place with Deja living here is still haunting me."
It's been two years now since Deja walked out. Although Malik's come to terms with the past, he still feels hurt about the situation. He met Deja here, found out he would be a father here and his so-called on-paper wife walked out of here. A fresh start is all Malik needs to move on. As he listens, DeShawn mumbles something and Malik thinks his brother turned down his offer.
"You're sure bro. I could use your charm with Jasmine."
"Nah bro, I said that this will work. I'll come up tonight after I pack. I'm at Mom's. I'll be done soon."
"Cool." Malik hangs up.
"Hey Jazzy, come here, I got good news, honey." Jasmine toddles over; her curls wet and dripping from the sprinkler as Malik wraps her up in a bath towel.
"Yes, Daddy?" She climbs up into Malik's lap as he dries her hair, making the curls frizz.
"Your Uncle DeShawn's gonna come up later on, and we'll go look for a bigger place where we all live together. That sounds good, doesn't it?" Jasmine's a little over two years old and she's gone through—from being at Daddy's house, staying with the nanny Vicki, to Grandma's and Grandpa's and back here again.
"Uncle D's coming to stay?"
"Yes, baby."
Jasmine squirms out of Malik's lap; the towel drops and she runs around in circles, shouting "Uncle D! Uncle D! Uncle D!"
"Go, girl."
* * *
Within a week after DeShawn arrives, Malik signs a lease on a three-bedroom condo off in Peachtree that has a gym, dry-cleaning, private parking, and pool. His condo is on the fourth floor with a kids play area and a kiddie pool. Malik knows this is only temporary. He's also looking to buy a house in the suburbs of Decatur. Maybe once Jasmine's in first grade, he'll have the money. Who knows maybe he'll have met someone by then that'll be worth sharing it with?
Not that DeShawn isn't the best company, he is, but Malik just hopes he'll meet a significant other that will give him a reason to love again. With caring for Jasmine, working as a sports agent with his best friend, and his own personal matters, Malik's been too busy to think about taking anyone seriously. He's been on a handful of dates while balling in different cities but nothing worth mentioning. One lady was so insistent on being a mother to Jasmine and what she could do for her, it turned Malik off. They never made it to the second date. Another lady was the absolute opposite, ignoring that fact Malik has a child and getting upset when Malik couldn't see her because of Jasmine being ill. Of course, that didn't last long either. One or two were fine with Malik having a child, but Malik wasn't really attracted to them. However, when he went out with Gabrielle from Macon, she was unlike the others.