Beau come up

Beau, wake up get yo ass up!! Beau’s mom yelled through the window of the single-story brick house. Beauty hadn’t seen her mother in years, ever since she left them on their Daddys’ doorstep 5 years ago. Beau, get yo funky ass up, the sound of her mothers’ voice shook her, the banging on the window snatched her awake. Yo Daddy say you got to come with me so come on right now I aint got all day. What the hell? Beau thought as she pulled back the deep purple comforter and got out of the twin bed she had been sleeping on. Beau had recently turned thirteen and started her menstrual cycle. She recalled her Dad saying, “Beauty, you’re a woman now, you are going to have to spend more time with your mother. Baby girl I am sorry, I just don’t know what else to do.” A few weeks earlier. Alright, I am coming she said, her voice filled with concern. Beau had no idea, that this was the moment her entire life would be changed. It’s 4 am, she said with disbelief, It’s 4 am she yelled. Why are you here at 4 o’clock in the morning? Beauty asked. Don’t ask me no questions lil girl, let’s go. And don’t bring none of that shit. Hell, we aint got nowhere to put it no way. Her mom said as she walked away from the window.

Loretta Dolech, mmhh, mmh, mmh, was the finest thang walking in her day. Mocha brown satin smooth skin, coke bottle figure and a slight bow in her legs that made her walk fierce. Not one woman in all of Dorchester County came close to Retta D. And she knew it too. Loretta walked and spoke with pure arrogance and confidence. Good morning, she said with a smirk, as she walked past the on lookers standing outside of the corner store. Hey, Retta, the clerk called, girl you are wearing those heels! Retta always wore heels they were like her calling card. With her 5’5 stature she felt lost with out them. Retta ignored the compliment, as she walked by jamming to Al Greens love and happiness playing through the stores speakers. Girl, what station you got this store radio on, you gon’ mess up and get fired, she laughed. As she grabbed an orange pop from the cooler. She wore a, light blue minnie dress with light blue 4-inch heels that gold butterfly design on the back ran down the heel of the shoe. The color along with her gold hoops complimented her skin perfectly. Nah, Retta that’s my eight track and I can play whatever I want. Cindy teased as she pressed the buttons on the register for her friends pop. Cindy was light skinned with green eyes, long wavey hair, tall and boy shaped. Cindy parents were half white. She loved herself and envied Lorettas’ big full bouncy afro. They had been friends since grade school. Retta was her ace, and she was hers.

Diamond in the back sunroof top, blasted from a brown Cadillac sedan Deville outside of the store silencing the music inside. Demanding the attention of both Retta and Cindy. Oh, there come your man girl, Cindy said. Retta just cut her eye at Cindy. Don’t side eye me you know that you digging David. They watched as this tall sexy mahogany brother dressed to the nines step out of that Cadillac with the suit to match. David was quiet and humble, the type that did not need to raise his voice to get his point across. He glided across the parking lot to the store with a walk not at all arrogant yet full of confidence, as he dapped up the brothers lounging in the front. Hey, sexy mommas he said as he entered. His voice smooth and strong like milk chocolate. Retta and Cindy couldn’t help but watch him walk through the aisles. He looked up from the colorful candy and noticed Retta watching him. She allowed their eyes to lock, and she did not look away. Her chestnut brown eyes, her thick lashes that did not need mascara, locked intensely with his as if she could see into his soul. After that day you did not see one without the other.

I can’t take it anymore; I can’t do this! Retta yelled as tears ran down her face. In five years Retta had given birth to four children. A girl Beauty Alexandrea, (Beau for short), and three boys Christian David (Chris for short), Jeremiah Lamont (Man for short), and Huey Jerome (Huey J for short). I can’t do this David! I just can’t. Her untreated postpartum depression had gotten the best of her, and she was at the end of her rope after Huey J was born. Baby, what can I do? What do you want me to do? David pleaded, wanting desperately to help his wife. All he ever wanted was for her to be happy. He stepped close to her and pulled her gently into his chest, as he whispered baby it will get better, we will work through this. His strong stature and demeanor calmed her for now.

Welcome to Amazing Recovery! the receptionist greeted cheerfully from behind the counter. Retta rolled her eyes and looked at David. Not another one babe, they don’t listen, it doesn’t help. She cried. His eyes filled with tears and despair, Baby it will work this time. He hoped. After years of treatment and treatment centers. Retta did not get any better, in fact she had gotten worse. Her depression, developed into schizophrenia.

Her heart racing, Retta was breathing so fast, as if she had just sprinted a mile. Dizzy, vision blurred, perspiration beaded across her brow. The knife in her hand glistened with blood, but who’s? Retta walked around a place so familiar and foreign at the same time. The wallpaper pattern, in the bedroom. I know this place. She said in confusion as she looked down. She looked down, to see Huey J sleeping peacefully. I am losing my mind. She said with relief, as she loosened her grip on the blade and allowed it to drop to the floor. I am home, she said aloud, as she walked out of the babys’ room. David, she whispered as she walked to her bedroom. Your gonna trip, I just felt so lost. All along I was in Js’ room. These new meds are too much and need to be revaluated, redetermined or whatever they…., she stopped mid-sentence. David!!!! She screamed dreadfully, Nooooo, no no no! David!! She ran from the room immediately thinking of her children. Snatching back the covers on each bed in each room the scene was more devasting than the last. Huey J, she sobbed, reaching out to the wall for support, as she dizzily walked to his room. Her throat sore from the screams. She slowly pulled back the blanket to see his body blue and lifeless. Her body jerked, she gasped, sweat soaked her pillow. Terrified and relieved that it was a dream. David, I can’t stay. I have to go. I love you and our children. I must leave. No, babe we can fix this. It was a dream. You didn’t hurt anyone. I am calling the counselor now. Your right, David, my sexy chocolate. You are so good to me. She said her voice sweet as honey. You don’t have to call. I am better now. Let’s just lay down. She said as she wrapped his arms around her. He put the phone down and rocked her until he fell asleep. They slept soundly.