The Curse of 1977 (Book 2)

Charles sat inside the quiet office of his former church waiting patiently while viewing the walls that at one time bore all of his personal property. From one end of the small office to the other he carefully studied until his eyes met up with the middle of the floor.

Charles sat and stared at the grimy carpet where a small chair once sat. In the chair was a young man that Charles once knew; a young man that he spoke so fondly to one Sunday morning a time ago.

The man scratched at his growing, grey beard. He wore his jacket that smelled of aging sweat, while his dingy, white undershirt underneath stuck to his chest. His corduroy pants looked as if they hadn't been pressed in weeks, while his shoes still wore the dried up dirt stains of his ill-fated trip to the country.

Charles remained in his seat, still looking down at the middle of the floor with a drooping bottom lip. All he could hear was his son's voice speaking to him. It didn't matter what he was saying, as long as Isaac was talking, Charles could keep the image inside his head.

The office door abruptly opened, behind it appeared Mr. Hawthorne, who with a bible in hand, also wore a vexed frown upon his light-skinned face.

Charles immediately pulled himself out of his trance before sitting up and paying absolute attention to Hawthorne who sat down behind his desk and placed the bible in front of him.

"I found it in the janitor's closet, of all places." Hawthorne said while pointing at the bible. "Brother, do you know how it even got in there?"

Shaking his head from side to side, Charles replied with a grin, "I can't even begin to imagine."

"Well, it's yours." Hawthorne smiled back before gently shoving the book towards Charles.

Charles reached and retrieved the bible. He sat back with it and ruffled through the pages. "It looks like it hasn't been damaged at all."

Hawthorne sat and thoughtfully stared at Charles in the most pitiable way. The man folded his hands and asked, "Charles, aren't you hot?"

Taking his eyes away from his bible, Charles waved his hand saying, "Nah, I'm fine."

Hawthorne then sat back in his chair. "Did you know that Sister Woods' granddaughter had her baby last month?"

With a simple smile, Charles replied, "No, I didn't. That's good."

"Have you heard from Lynn and the baby lately?"

Charles leaned over in his seat and sighed, "No, Lynn is out there somewhere. All I can do is pray for the child."

"Well, she is grown; I guess she has to find her own way in the world."

"Yeah, I reckon so." Charles groaned.

A deafening silence lingered all around the men like dense fog. The longer it was quiet, the less Charles could think of something to say.

"We got a few new members last month, too." Hawthorne mentioned from out of nowhere."

"Well, praise Jesus for that." Charles mumbled with a humble grin.

"We were gonna try and have our picnic last Saturday, but—

"Was I wrong for sending Isaac to that hospital?" Charles unexpectedly asked.

Hawthorne sat with a paused appearance written all over his face. It seemed as if the question were offsetting to him, considering the paleness his face took on at that moment.

"Brother, I...I can't answer that for you."

"I can't answer it either." Charles' head hung.

"You have to understand, you just up and left everyone."

Sitting back, Charles said, "I didn't know what else

could've stayed here with your flock. We

Charles sat and looked back at the middle of the

"I just feel like something

"How do you

taken, something was taken from me as well.

"What do you think that

for endless seconds before saying, "My tongue won't

Hawthorne sat back and sighed, "Well, you certainly didn't leave me with a very easy job when you left. You never told me how

said, "You've been my friend and deacon for over seventeen years. How could you

all kinds of help." Hawthorne giggled. "I had one young man

To Charles, just having the opportunity to joke, albeit briefly, was like hearing a favorite song from long ago; it felt good

never left, Charles." Hawthorne seriously stated

His stare was locked

"Come in!" Hawthorne said

the door appeared an older, black lady with some papers in her hand. "Good

woman paused at the sight of Charles' presence. Charles stood to his feet and stepped forward to the woman only to have her back away

Mary." He smiled. "How have

lips together as tight as she could before replying in a cold tone, "Fine. She then turned back to Hawthorne. "These are the minutes from last Wednesday's prayer

said as he took the papers and placed them down onto his

woman simply turned, without taking another glance at him, and walked

"Well...I'd better be going myself." Charles murmured with a cotton

have to

He turned to Hawthorne and extended his hand

But rather than shake his hand, Hawthorne instead grabbed Charles and pulled him in for a healthy

"You need anything, just let me know." Hawthorne whispered

two released each other, Charles stood back with his bible in hand and said, "I need for

Charles walked out of the office and through the sanctuary that

in the middle

It was such a dreadful feeling that the man wanted to drop to his knees

in an all snow white dress. Her hair was totally white, as was her face that looked as if it

of him wanted to scream out loud, but Charles was aware that such an action would have been

the front entrance. He didn't even check behind him to make sure the double doors were shut all the way; he just persisted in moving as fast as he could to his

car keys out of his pants pocket before a person came trotting out from behind the vehicle

instinct, Charles swung around with both of his fists drawn before he recognized

in surprise as his breath left him. "Child, what are you doin'

"I...I saw your car here." She timidly stammered.

Lynnette returned the gesture, only her hug seemed to feel

Charles looked down at her and asked,

"I've been

With just one glance Charles could tell otherwise, but he also realized that he himself wasn't too far from judgment. A swelling of pity dropped deep down into his gut. For the first time in months he took his own anguish and

"How is

hastily

speak for Lynnette, but Charles was at a complete loss for words on so many levels. He was elated to see her, and frightened all at

smiled and said, "Of course

of heat immediately struck him across the face. However, it wasn't heat from the temperature, but rather that of emotion. He

onto the road. He

her window, Charles said, "I've been trying