Help with messages

Hey everyone,

I just got a new Pearl Flip on Sunday and I am not the smartest guy by any means so I decided to seek extra help.

With the Pearl Flip when you receive a SMS or Email message it appears on the front screen with a new message notification and then you can read it without opening the screen. The Pearl locked up and I removed the battery and put it back in. Now when I close my phone the clock on the front screen stays for about 20 seconds then it goes black, when I receive a message it rings or vibrates and the indicator red light flashes but nothing comes on the screen at all. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Thank you.

isn't there a button that you push on the side?

It was always automatic before this. Hands free.