Headline

four

courtney
𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐲

Her eyes sprung open inside her dimmed bedroom. She froze, thinking she heard the sound in her mind, sleep deprivation getting to her the past six weeks.

      But there it was again a few seconds later; the cry to the right side of her bed. The gray bassinet made her remember she was in fact a new mother and the cry came from her newborn, Valero Asante Davis. Her temples pounded, eyelids heavy, and dark circles; the telltale sign of her lack of sleep lately. She lifted up slowly, the thin strap of her tank top hanging off her shoulder and the wet circle spots on the thin fabric that leaked out of her nipples full of breastmilk.

      Her hair was all over the place, the top bun messy. Drowsily, she pushed the tendrils out of her face, threw the cover off her body, and placed her feet onto the carpet floor. The plan was to stand and grab Valero; which she thought she did, But instead she was still sat up with her eyes open and sleep. His cries increased loud enough for her sister to hear down the hall. The light hit on, receiving no reaction from Courtney. Her sister went straight to Valero, and lifting him out.

      "Okay, okay," Carter cradled her nephew, bouncing him softly. "Court!"

      The sound of her name got a slight reaction. "Mmm?"

      Carter felt bad for her sister, knowing the way it felt to lose sleep because of a newborn and with she had twins. "I'm gonna take Valero with me; feed him and allat. Get you some more sleep."

      Courtney answered in mumbles, letting her body fall to the side onto the bed, sleep immediately.

      What she planned to be a quick nap turned into a full on slumber. The feel of her sleeping too long made her jump up. The sun peaking through her blackout curtains. She felt her aching breasts, and her newborn came to her mind. She sat up, leaning over with sleepy eyes to peer into the baby bed and once seeing it was empty, her eyes widened and she sprung up. She searched her son; praying and hoping she didn't somehow fall asleep in the bathtub or something and harmed her baby all for sleep.

      "Valero!" Courtney called, although she was aware he wouldn't be able to respond, she hoped the loudness would make him cry and she could find him.

      "Valero!"

      Courtney rushed out her bedroom with tears in her eyes.

      "Val—"

      "Shh!" The harsh shush dragged her gaze toward Valero's nursery room and Carter exiting it. "He's sleep."

      Ignoring her sister, Courtney rushed into the nursery and her heart steadied at seeing her son sleeping peacefully in the baby crib. She exhaled shakily, her hands on her knees, and letting the tears fall. "Oh my God," she whispered.

      "I tried to tell you I had him but you were sleep witcha eyes open."

      Courtney reached in the baby crib, rubbing softly over his head full of curls. She took a deep breath, letting him rest, and exited the nursery with Carter. The baby monitor was given to her.

      "Look, go shower and Ima fix some breakfast for us. Coo?"

      Courtney glanced down at herself, realizing she was in need of a shower. The two separated, and after a long shower and getting clean, she was out and going to the ground level of her new home.

      Courtney had finally moved her, Carter, and her nephew out of the town-house in Crenshaw, and into a four bed-room and three bath home in L.A. placed in a gated community. It was spacious, over three thousand feet and more than enough room for two adult women and three kid boys. It was her first home she ever owned and paid cash money. The gourmet kitchen, sleek and modern pool in a big backyard for her nephews to run around in, white oak floors throughout the entire home. She was blessed.