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

I've been working a

"Young lady...don't try and con a

At once, Lynnette sat perfectly still while her eyes jittered back and forth in their sockets. Charles waited for a moment while staring continuously at the woman

"How long,"

"How...how

have you been

while giggling, "A

Charles simply sat 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

turned her head away from Charles at that instant.

don't want you to say anything. I'm not a stupid man. I realize that what you and the baby went through nearly killed you. But by the

Lynnette boldly said,

he got killed the other night. He and his crew," she indignantly

nodded his head up and down. "I knew that brother way back when. I didn't know him personally, but he

was never afraid of Clavell." Lynnette stated. "I've seen

sat and looked as hard as he could at Lynnette before leaning forward and asking, "Lynn, I need for you to tell me something, and I want the truth. Now, I know you hate talking about him, but I need to know what

Lynnette shot up from her seat and began wandering about the apartment in

I have a feeling that you haven't discussed it since it

to say?" She spun around shouting.

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 a fact that you saw something else. Isaac didn't just beat you, there

if I told you, you would never, ever believe me! Why? Because I still can't believe it myself! Hell, as far as I'm concerned, I'm still having a

or slept in weeks. Believe me, child, I understand tragedy, but what you went through was more than just

"I can't imagine

He didn't look like himself. He didn't sound like himself.

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

it?" He glared strangely into her eyes. "Did it have something to do

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

what had

"Oh, God, I don't know!" Lynnette hollered while crumbling to the floor in

"Keep that shit down over there!" A man's voice yelled from the other

jolting fear. He then looked at his hands which were shaking, along with the

and cradled Lynnette in his arms; Lynnette in turn

His skittish voice whispered into

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

you think he's in heaven?" Lynnette whimpered into

"Who, honey?"

"Him," she

Charles responded, "I sure pray to

got to her feet and made her way

at my own son. Or better yet...I don't even

floor and