The Curse of 1977 (Book 2)

Charles and Lynnette walked down the hallway of the five floor tenement that led towards his apartment. The wallpaper was peeling and the hardwood floors creaked with every step. Termites could be seen crawling in and out of the walls, while the light bulbs above fizzled off and on every other minute.

But to Charles, his surroundings were all just mere annoyances that he managed to bypass with every day that went by; in other words, he didn't care what his new home looked like, it was a home.

The second they reached his apartment, Charles took out his key and unlocked the door. Before they could even enter, the aroma of fried chicken immediately made its way into their nostrils and out into the hallway.

Allowing Lynnette to enter before him, Charles snickered, "I've been trying to fry some chicken like Mrs. Mercer used to do, but I still don't have the hang of it after all these years."

Lynnette just casually smiled as Charles closed the door behind him. The apartment was only one room that consisted of a murphy bed that was still lying flat on its feet, a tiny stove and fridge to the far corner and a bureau that sat right next to a window that overlooked Downtown Cypress.

Directly in the middle of the floor was a small dining table. Charles placed his bible down onto the table and meekly uttered, "I'm sorry that the place is such a mess. I didn't get much of a chance to pick up this morning before I left."

Grinning, Lynnette said, "You don't have to apologize. Believe me, I've seen worse."

Rubbing his hands together in a nervous fashion, Charles said, "Well, go ahead and have a seat."

Lynnette sat herself down at the dining table while Charles went for the fridge. "Did you want something to drink? I have water and milk."

"I'll have some water, please."

At once, Charles took a glass and filled it with water before handing it to her and sitting himself down on the other end of the table.

The man sat in distant silence and watched as the young lady took her water down in one, continuous gulp before she sat the cup back down onto the table.

Charles thoughtfully reflected upon Lynnette, from her eye all the way to her missing finger. Isaac was everywhere; no matter where he turned, his son was there. He tried so hard not to stare, but the urge stabbed at him like a sword to the stomach. Just Lynnette's mere presence inside his apartment was both surreal and haunting.

"So, this is where you're staying at now?" Lynnette glanced all around.

"Yes, yes, this is it." Charles aimlessly tapped his fingers on the table. "Sometimes we all have to just move on."

Concealing her right hand out of sight, Lynnette said, "I went away for a while after the incident, too."

"Yeah," Charles murmured to himself before looking away for a second. "So, how has the rest of your family been lately?" He looked back at Lynnette.

Playfully rolling her eyes, Lynnette replied, "My family is my family. My sisters are still crazy after all these years."

Smiling, Charles said, "I hear you."

Lynnette then leaned forward and asked, "So tell me, why did you leave your church?"

Grunting, Charles answered, "Child, sometimes this life takes us in all kinds of unexpected directions."

"Don't I know it?"

"Heck, the men and women in the bible went through all kinds of crazy journeys. I just needed to back away for a moment or two."

Lynnette humbly nodded her head. "I know you look at me and wonder just what in the world I've been up to."

"It's crossed my mind a time or

I've been working a lot, and

"Young lady...don't try and con a con man." Charles blatantly stepped

back and forth in their sockets. Charles waited

"How

"How...how long

"How long have you been

blushed while giggling, "A junkie? Are you

and watched as Lynnette tried to laugh away another response. "Isaac told you all about my life before I met his mother. Believe me, I know a junkie when I see one. And as much as I hate using that word, that's exactly what

Charles at that instant. "What do you want me to

went through nearly killed you. But by the grace of God, you're both still here." Charles could

back around, Lynnette boldly said,

got killed the other

"I knew that brother way back when. I didn't know him personally, but he was a real beast back in the day. It

"I was never afraid of Clavell." Lynnette stated.

I need for you to tell me something, and I want the

seat and began wandering about the apartment in an agitated

situation to discuss, but I have a feeling that you haven't discussed it since

spun around shouting.

"You and I both saw him that night right before he left this world. That young man that I saw down at that church was a completely different man. But I know for

"Yes, something else was going on!" Lynnette screamed. "But if I told you, you would never, ever believe me! Why? Because

that night has got you hooked on drugs. Look at you, you're slowly wasting away into nothing. You look like you haven't eaten or slept in weeks. Believe me, child, I understand tragedy, but what you went through was more than just a tragedy. You can't even say the man's name. You won't even look at the picture sitting next to my bed. You're avoiding

"I can't imagine what

didn't look

from Charles, but the man was relentless as he kept pace along with her, practically not allowing her to distance herself

"Did it have something to do with the way his eyes were? I'm still trying to figure that mess out,

"Please, Mr. Mercer, don't do this!" Lynnette wept even

had my boy!"

hollered while crumbling to the floor in a heap

"Keep that shit down over there!" A man's

jolting fear. He then looked at his hands which were shaking, along with the rest of his body. What he

cradled Lynnette in his arms; Lynnette in turn

"I...I'm so sorry." His skittish

she sobbed. All Charles wanted to do was hold her and not let go, while looking over and trying to catch a glimpse of Isaac's picture on the nightstand

think he's in heaven?" Lynnette whimpered

"Who, honey?"

"Him," she pointed behind the

With his eyes closed, Charles responded,

from his grip, Lynnette got to her feet and made her way

own son. Or better yet...I don't even want to look at

from off the floor