Page 60 of Luci’s Lullaby

I roll my eyes as I catch myself talking to her. “I suppose it’s better than talking to myself.”

I have her sitting in the middle of the living room and go to mix her bottle. I’m about to drop the powder when a wail from the other room makes me jump, and the milk goes everywhere.

I haul ass to the living room to find her screaming at the top of her lungs. “Where in the hell did that come from?” I pick her up, cradling her like they showed me.

“You were all quiet and cooing and shit in the hospital. When did you grow into your lungs?” I shake my head as we walk back into the kitchen.

I manage to get her milk poured and ready before she tears lose again. “Here ya go, it’s okay.” I rub the nipple across her lips, but she refuses it.

“Now come on, sweetie.” I try again, nothing.

I spend the evening walking the floors and changing diapers. “Please eat and then sleep. You know how to do this, you did it in the hospital,” I plead.

I rock her and change her, I even feed her again. I start humming to her, and her eyes begin to close. I stand to put her in the bed Reese set up, and my phone rings. Cue the crying.

“For the love of all that’s holy.” I carry her over and snag my phone. “This better be good.”

“Hey, Mars Bar.” Reese better be happy it’s her, I was ready to kill.

“Hey.”

“Gracious, she okay?” Concern thick in her voice.

“I’ve fed her, changed her, and rocked her. I’ve even walked the floors for the last two hours, nothing.”

“Love her heart.” Love her heart? She’s killing me!

I shake my head as Luci begins to wail. “I need to go.”

“Do you need me to come over?” Reese asks.

I hesitate. I really want her to come, but it’s the first night; I can’t give up this easily. “Naw, we got it. It just takes practice and for us to learn each other.”

We struggle through the night but finally get a little sleep. The morning goes no better, I’m quickly losing it. I’m walking the floors when there’s a knock at the door.

“I wonder who this could be?” I carry her with me to the door as she continues to snub. “It’s okay. Shhhh.”

I open the door to a couple friendly faces. “There is a God, and he loves me.” Reese and Ava hug me before snatching Luci from my arms.

“Go shower. We’ll get some things set up for y’all.” Reese directs me as Ava cradles Luci in her arms.

My entire body slumps. “Seriously? May God bless you.”

Ava giggles. “We get it, we have babies.”

“I don’t know how mothers do this twenty-four seven, I'm worn out.”

Reese shrugs. “You’ll find your rhythm.”

“I just need Luci to find the Sand Man.” They giggle as I walk toward my bedroom.

Twenty minutes later, I’m a human once again. I go in search of the three women who have taken over what was once a sexual paradise. Now, I’m happy it doesn’t smell anymore.

I’m stunned into silence as I take in the house. “How in the hell did y’all clean this so fast?”

“You wouldn’t believe what all you can get done in the twenty minutes your kid is asleep.” Reese stands with her hand on her hip.

Ava nods as she sways with Luci in her arms. “Wars have been won and kids have been made in less time.”