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."

crossed my

I've been working a lot, and

try and con a con

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

"How long," he

"How...how

have you

while giggling, "A junkie? Are

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

instant. "What do you want me to say?" She shamefully

a stupid man. I realize that what you and the baby went through nearly killed you. But by the grace of God, you're both still here." Charles could tell that Lynnette was trying to hold back tears as hard

Snapping back around, Lynnette boldly said, "No one

other night. He

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

never afraid of Clavell."

me something, and I want the

Instantly, Lynnette shot up from her seat and began wandering about the apartment in an agitated

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

do you want me to say?" She spun around shouting.

world. That young man that I saw down at that church was a completely

screamed. "But 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,

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

"I can't imagine what to

from the table and approaching Lynnette, Charles desperately stated, "You should've seen his eyes when he came to the church. He didn't look like himself. He didn't sound like himself. Isaac was never perfect, but I know that he

Lynnette began to cry while trying to back away from Charles, but the man was relentless as he

into her eyes. "Did it have something to do with the way his eyes were? I'm still

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

"I need to know what had my boy!" Charles roared into her

to the floor in a heap

there!" A man's voice yelled

looked at his hands which were shaking, along with the rest of his

and cradled Lynnette in his arms; Lynnette in turn grabbed a hold of Charles and gripped him as

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

inside Charles' arms while she sobbed. All Charles wanted to do was hold her and not let go,

"Do you think he's in heaven?"

"Who, honey?"

"Him," she pointed behind the

Charles responded, "I sure pray to

Gradually releasing herself from his grip, Lynnette got to her feet and made her way over

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

floor and stood beside