The Disengagement

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THANKS

"Dereck, I think we should we end this ... this fling."
"Why?"
"Because the only I proof I have that it exists is the convenience store charges on my credit card bill, for condoms. Come to think of it, why don't you buy your own?"
"I thought you had a preference ... "
"Anyway, we're done," Jasmine says with finality in your voice.

"I was thinking of taking a trip."
"Good. I'm glad you're dealing with our break-up so well," Jasmine hisses back.
"I mean us ... we should take a trip."
"Okay, I'll bite. Why?"
"We've been together, what, four months?"
"Four and a half."
"Right, and we've never left the city limits together. I say we go to Jamaica."
"I say you're crazy. You don't know what you're getting yourself into going home with a Jamaican girl. The e-ticket should have it's own Surgeon General's warniing."
"There's nothing like that on these." Dereck pulls out two matching Air Jamaica folders with tickets enclosed.
"Oh my God ... " is all Jasmine can say.

The first dinner at Jasmine's sister's in Jamaica takes place in Netty's salon so her little sistren will be looking good after her long flight. Everything is easy going and light-hearted because Jasmine's other siblings are travelling at the moment. Dereck thinks he has a hold on the situation, for a while.

Jasmine finds Dereck lounging on the porch furniture after she is done her shampoo and blow-dry. "How's it hanging out here? Is the heat too much for you?"
"I like it hot, remember?"
"Watch yourself. You never know who is listening in this place."

A loud greeting pierces the air.
"Earth Mamma! You finally shed all your baby fat!"
"Hi Bowe. Still chasing my sister's best friend? What's been now ... 20 years?"
"Still razored tongued, I see. Come here!"
Jasmine and Bowe through their arms around each other and squeeze hard.
"This must be the man of the hour. How are you, Sa?
"Very nice to meet you. It's Dereck."
"This is my man, alright."
"For the moment." Dereck interjects sheepishly without seeming too pitiful.
"If you want sympathy from me man, you're not going to get it. I know that you know, what you see is what you get with Jazz."
With that said, Bowe turns and waves a good-bye to the couple.

A figure struts down towards the veranda.
"Oh boy. This could be drama," Jasmine says with a slight quiver in her voice.
"What do you mean?"
"HELL-o Love," a slightly taller, slightly paler and slightly older gentleman says to Jasmine.
"Hello Da'ling." Jasmine kisses Gray's cheek firmly and pulls only half her body out of the embrace to introduce, "This is Dereck."
"Nice meeting you," Gray says while sizing him up to assess how tall the tree needs to be for him to hang without his feet touching the ground. No more than 6 and half feet he decides.
Dereck shakes his hand but squeezes a little too hard. "Likewise."
Both men know in another scenario they might be friends but this was different.
"Number 3, how's Number 1 doing these days?" Gray asks Jasmine.
"You know her, till death will she part from her career endeavors. What can you say? That life works for her."
"I hear ya. Very well, gotta run. Give my love to your sista for me."

"What was that?" Dereck requests with obvious offense in his tone.
"That is my best friend. You have no idea the complications that arise once you share a best friend with your older brother. As you get older they get more and more complicated."
"Figures."

That night is filled with kisses, smooches and playful nibbles as Dereck disrobes Jasmine. He moves slowly as though to memorize her skin and smell and movement. "Thank God we're finally alone."
"I know," Jasmine moans.
"How can you afford such a nice place here and live where you do in the States?"
"Since when do you talk money in bed?" Jasmine whispers in his ear.
"I'm just saying," he mutters as he works his way down her decollete.

Jasmine disengages from Dereck's advances and sits upright with a serious expression. "You're just saying what?"
Dereck pulls in a deep breathe through his nostrils then sighs loudly. He clears his throat trying to think straight as he looks at her body clad in only the thong he was just about to remove. "Look, its obvious you're some kind of heiress princess so what do you want with a guy like me, eh?"
"Honestly."
There is a long awkward pause while Jasmine nervously runs her fingers over her lips as though she wanted to force them shut. "I have 3 journals filled with the emotions I feel about you and its only been four months ... "
"Four and a half."
"Whatever," Jasmine snaps, a little louder than she intended. "I don't know what this is but it either has to end right now or go on forever."
"I do say Ms. Pepper Burn, that sounds like a marriage proposal to me."
"I don't give a damn what it sounds like. I just need to know ... which will it be?"