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

"Well, I've been working a lot, and

and con a con man." Charles blatantly

and forth in their sockets. Charles waited for a moment while staring continuously at the woman in the

"How long,"

"How...how long

"How long have

Immediately, Lynnette blushed while giggling,

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

at that instant. "What do you want me to say?" She shamefully uttered under

not 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

Snapping back around, Lynnette boldly said, "No one anymore.

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

nodded his head up and down. "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

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.

Instantly, Lynnette shot up from her seat and began

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

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

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 was something

would never, ever believe me! Why?

Whatever happened 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

"I can't imagine what to

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,

was relentless as he kept pace along with her, practically not allowing her to distance

into her eyes. "Did it have something to do with the way his eyes

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

had my boy!" Charles

to the floor in a

there!" A man's voice yelled from

Staring down at Lynnette, Charles stood back in jolting fear. He then looked at his hands which were shaking, along with

man knelt down and cradled Lynnette in his arms; Lynnette in

so sorry." His skittish voice whispered

do was hold her and not let go, while looking over and trying to

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

"Who, honey?"

"Him," she

With his eyes closed, Charles responded, "I sure pray to

Gradually releasing herself from his grip, Lynnette got to

"I can't even look at my own son. Or

got up from off the floor and stood