7-14-02, 6:35 AM

The alarm clock blasted at 6:35 AM. Lord, that clock sure seemed loud. I wiped the sleep from my eyes. Today, I begin my week in Kourtnee’s world. I was excited. I got out of the bed, gathered my clothing, and went into the bathroom. I came out of the bathroom fully dresses and ready to go. I had on a black skirt and a pink blouse. I had on a pair of black low-heeled shoes. I looked like I was going to church. I headed downstairs to Kourtnee’s room. I knew that she wasn’t going to be woke.

I walked into Kourtnee’s room. She was sleep. I jumped on the bed and said, “Kourtnee, wake up.” She jumped up and said, “LaDawnya, have you lost your mind?” I said, “Sorry, but I am ready to go.” She turned the light on. “Get out of the bed with your clothes on,” she said as she gave me a once over. A few seconds later, Mrs. Jackson walked in with a cup of coffee. Mrs. Jackson smiled at me and said, “Here Kourtnee. I figured you might need this.” Kourtnee smiled at Mrs. Jackson and responded, “Thanks, Mona. LaDawnya, get off the bed before you wrinkle your clothes!” I got up off the bed. Mrs. Jackson looked at me and said, “LaDawnya, come with me and let Kourtnee get dressed.” I looked at Kourtnee. She looked tired. I know my presence in her life had changed things for her. I wanted to stay in the room with her, but I didn’t. I followed Mrs. Jackson.

Mrs. Jackson and I went into the kitchen. She started preparing breakfast. She was going on in the kitchen working and talking. It was nice. It reminded me of Mrs. Johnson. When I thought of Mrs. Johnson, my heart dropped. I would be a month since Mrs. Johnson had died on Friday. I had my head on the counter. Mrs. Jackson came over to me, put her arm on my shoulders, and asked was I ok. I told her that I was ok. She told me to go into her room and get the box that was on her bed. I left the kitchen.

I walked into Mrs. Jackson’s room. I had never been in Mrs. Jackson’s room before. Her room was cream and brown. The walls were cream with brown trim. The carpet was cream. The curtains were brown. The room was immaculate. She had pictures of people hung on the walls. Some of them were pictures of people I had never seen before. I assumed they were her family. There were some pictures of Kourtnee, Ms. Shields, Mrs. Adams, Mr. Adams, and me. I smiled. I saw the box on the bed. I picked it up and took it back into the kitchen.

When I walked back into the kitchen, Mrs. Jackson asked, “What took you so long?” I said, “I was looking at your pictures.” She nodded and said, “I see. Open up the box.” I opened the box. Every time I put a piece of tape or paper that I tore off of the box onto the counter, Mrs. Jackson quickly picked it up and threw it away. (I bet Christmas and birthday parties were fun with her around.) In the box, there was an old briefcase. It looked like it was in good shape. I inspected it. It had the initials KSA on it. I assumed that it must have belonged to Kourtnee at one time.

I looked at Mrs. Jackson. She said, “This was Kourtnee’s first briefcase. I have kept it. I figured I would let you use it this week.” I hugged Mrs. Jackson to thank her and I ran out of the kitchen to take the briefcase upstairs. As I ran out of the kitchen, I bumped into Kourtnee. She said, “Girl, slow down and watch here you are going. What do you have in your hand?” I showed her the briefcase. She took it out of my hand, laughed, and said, “Where did you get this from?” I said, “Mrs. Jackson gave it to me. She said it use to be yours.” Kourtnee responded, “It was mine. I can’t believe she kept it this long.” Kourtnee ran her fingers over the briefcase. I held my hand out and said, “Can I have my briefcase back, please?” She frowned as she said, “Excuse me, these are my initials, therefore, this is my briefcase.” I poked my lips out and then said, “Mrs. Jackson said I could use it this week. Can I have it back, please?” She shook her head no. I wrinkled my face, twisted my lips, and said, “I’m gonna tell Mrs. Jackson on you.” Kourtnee did not respond to my threat, so I headed toward the kitchen screaming Mrs. Jackson’s name.

Mrs. Jackson heard my case and then called Kourtnee’s name. After Kourtnee entered the kitchen, Mrs. Jackson told her to give me the briefcase back. Kourtnee whined that the briefcase was hers. Mrs. Jackson told Kourtnee that she had not thought about that briefcase in years. Mrs. Jackson took the briefcase out of Kourtnee’s hands and gave it to me. Mrs. Jackson stood in front of Kourtnee as I left the kitchen.

At 7:26 AM, Mrs. Jackson came into the living room and told me that breakfast was ready. I went into the kitchen. I sat down at the island next to Kourtnee. She moved over a little. Mrs. Jackson put my plate down in front of me. She tapped Kourtnee on her hand as she passed by. Kourtnee made a face at me. I made a face back at Kourtnee. Mrs. Jackson told both of us to quit and finish eating. We goofed around some more. Mrs. Jackson fussed at us and told us to hurry up before we were late.

We finally finished eating. Kourtnee and I walked to our separate rooms to get our stuff and leave. While I was in my room, Mrs. Jackson came into the room. She fixed the collar on my blouse. She brushed my hair. She asked me if I had any money. I told her that I didn’t. She handed me $20.00. I looked at her strangely. She hugged me, told me to have a good day, and left the room. Kourtnee’s voice screaming my name lulled me back into consciousness. I grabbed my new used briefcase and headed down the stairs to begin my week in Kourtnee’s World.