The Beast of 1977 (Book 1)

Mr. Mercer drove down the road at a steady pace while conversing back and forth with Deacon Hawthorne who was seated in the front while Lynnette, Isaac and Isaiah were all packed in the back seat of the car. The deacon's bald, light skinned head bobbed up and down, agreeing with just about everything that Mr. Mercer was mentioning about the book of Galatians, while Isaac kept his attention solely at the passing scenery outside his window.

He had hardly said a single word ever since leaving church earlier; he didn't even acknowledge his own son when he reached out for him to be picked up into his arms. Isaac's head was elsewhere that cloudy afternoon.

Light flurries rained down from the sky, making it look like a complete whiteout, even though not one flake seemed to be sticking to the ground. With every building that passed, Isaac's stomach growled even more loud and irate.

"Uh oh," Deacon Hawthorne said, "sounds like someone didn't eat breakfast this morning."

"That boy always eats breakfast." Mr. Mercer giggled. "I can't imagine why he would be so hungry now."

Isaac could tell that his menacing silence was causing a bitter chill in the backseat. Even though he didn't want to look at her, Isaac could feel Lynnette's eyes pierce his flesh.

"Pastor Mercer," Lynnette all of the suddenly called out.

"Yes, ma'am," Mr. Mercer replied.

"Your son here told me a very interesting story about you the other night."

As if someone had clocked him over the head, Isaac awoke from his deep spell and stared peculiarly at Lynnette.

"He told me that you once were a pimp and a drug dealer before you became a pastor."

"Oh, did he now?" Mr. Mercer

"Yes, sir. Is it true? Because I'm having a very hard time believing that

it's very true." Mr. Mercer appeared amused. "That was way back when Satan had his claws all over me. I was into a lot of mess back then. Then I met Mrs. Mercer, and well...let's just say that the Lord brings

"Amen, she

"I see," Lynnette

"And then after all that, Isaac came

"Yes...the end." Mr. Mercer laughed out

Everyone inside the car, including Isaac, joined in on the chorus of laughter

even got my own son laughing at me." He looked down and over at

foolin' with you, son." Mr. Mercer calmed down. "You're alright with me. But we'd better get some gas or

pulled into the Texaco station, little Isaiah chimed along with the ringing that

too?" Deacon

"Yes, sir," Lynnette replied. "He always does that every time we stop at the

"I'll pump for you, dad." Isaac said while zipping up his

reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet and handed Isaac a ten

the tiny cashier's hut, a homeless man, smoking a cigarette caught his attention. For some odd reason Isaac couldn't seem to take his eyes off of the man; it

light-skinned, young man that resembled an old, childhood friend. In his mouth he wanted to say a name, but his jaws seemed to be completely

"Hey, man, watch it!" A large black man warned as he and Isaac bumped

regained his senses and resumed his journey once more to the line where five other people were already standing, who instead of wanting to buy gasoline, only desired to purchase cartons and packs of cigarettes. Isaac, too, longed for a smoke, but at least he could wait until

lady was wearing an autumn orange and brown knit hat, a long, black leather coat that reached her