Just Be A Man About It

12.

Naomi

I am tired of being in the hospital all the time. I can't do shit but sit back and click through the same television channels over and over again. Amar was laying next to me playing a game on Malik's phone. Malik was outside in the hallway talking on his work phone. The doctors came in earlier and told me that Trey was awake and responding fine. I told them that I didn't give a shit about how the fuck he was doing. I will never give a shit about him again. As much as that bastard put me through, he will never be forgiven. People think that I really loved Trey for me to "stay" with him through the abuse, but that wasn't the case. I had fallen out of love with Trey way before he started to hit me. I was just done with the constant lying about him being somewhere else when I know for a fact that he was with his ex Trinity. He only started hitting me when I threatened to leave him. I tried on so many occasions, but his bitch ass friends would always snitch if they saw me anywhere but home.

I didn't have that much money since Trey was taking care of everything Amar and I needed, I didn't have a place to stay since I refused to stay with my mother, and Mel was in a whole other state. Trey didn't really let me out of the house, so I didn't have that many friends. I couldn't escape, but I was glad I was able to meet Malik. Even though I had met him three hours before I called him, he was there for me as a friend would have been and I was grateful for that.

"Baby?"

I snap out of my thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I'll be back. I need to go by Randy's house to discuss what the meeting will be about Monday."

"Okay."

He gives me a kiss and leaves. I look at Amar, and he is sound asleep with Malik's phone in his hand. Shit! His phone! I try to call his work number, but before I could even process the number, his phone lights up. It was a text message.

I can't wait for us to meet today! See you soon. :) - Mya

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Malik

I pull into Mya's driveway and cut off the car. I hate lying to Naomi, but I just need time to tell her about Mya and Malia. Now is just not a good time.

I get out of the car, close the door, and lock it. I walk up to the door and ring the doorbell. I hear shuffling and Mya opens the door. She smiles at me and lets me in. I see Malia sitting at a small table with her teddy bears. She was coloring on some paper.

I walk over to her and squat down.

"What are you drawing?"

She looks up at me and smiles.

"I'm drawing my teddy bears and me at the beach," she says.

"Do you like the beach?"

"Yea! I like the sand, the water, and the pretty seashells Mommy and I find. Do you wanna see them?"

"Of course. I like seashells too."

Her face lit up as she took my hand and led me to the back of the house. There I saw a small study where a computer and desk were, There were a lot of pictures of Mya and Malia, but one stood out to me the most. I walk over to the desk and grab the frame. It was a picture of Mya and me after the basketball team won the homecoming game. She was wearing my jersey and had my number painted on her cheeks. I was carrying her on my back.

"Hey, Mister!"

I jump and turn around. Malia has her hands on her hip.

"Mommy says we can't touch that," Malia says.

"Oh. I'm sorry."

I put the frame down and walk over to Malia.

"Can we look at the seashells now?" She asks.

"Sure."

I sit down in a small seat and Malia goes to grab a big white box.

"Do you need help?" Mya asks, coming around from the corner.

"No Mommy. I got it."

Malia carries the box over to the table. She climbs into the chair and opens the box. There were so many seashells in the box and even some pictures.

"These are some new seashells that Mommy and I got yesterday. I found this one."

She picks up a big broken shell that was pink.

"It's very pretty."

"Thanks! I just wish that it wasn't broken."

She goes through and tells me about all the shells she had until she starts yawning.

"Mommy, I'm sleepy."

"Do you want to take a nap?"

Malia nods her head yes and reaches out for me. It took me by surprise.

"Mr. Malik, can you carry me?" Malia asks, rubbing her eyes.

I look at Mya for confirmation.

"May I?"

"Sure," Mya says.

I pick up Malia and follow Mya upstairs. We walk into a room that was blue and decorated in a beach theme with seashells and mermaids all around the room. I see her bed and lay her down. She cuddles up to a stuffed mermaid, and I place the covers over her.

"Thank you." She mumbles.

"You're welcome."

Mya kisses her on the head, and we walk out of the room. I follow Mya back downstairs. She sits on the couch and pats on the seat next to her. I smile and sit down. I look at her and she blushes and looks away. I can't help but feel guilty. I left her to fend for herself when she needed me the most. I don't take back what I said, because I meant it. I just wish I didn't leave her as helpless as she was.

"Mya, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" She asks.

"For not being there for you. I tried to find you afterward, but no one knew where you were. I blamed myself for your disappearance. I blamed myself for so much. I'm so sorry."

Mya scoots closer to me.

"Malik it's fine. It was mostly my fault for being selfish. I can't do anything but thank you. You made me see what I was missing and what I was going to miss out on."

She grabs my hand and runs her thumb over my knuckles. I smile and look at her. She was still beautiful. I hate that I left her. I hate that I let her down. She stares at me and smiles. Then she kisses me.