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

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

con a con man." Charles blatantly stepped

her eyes jittered back and forth in their sockets. Charles waited

"How long,"

"How...how long

"How long have you been

Immediately, Lynnette blushed 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

that instant. "What do you want me

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

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

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

gently 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

afraid of Clavell." Lynnette stated.

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 really happened inside

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

I have a

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

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,

ever believe me! Why? Because I still can't believe it myself! Hell, as far

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.

imagine

his eyes when he came to the church. He didn't look like himself. He didn't sound like himself. Isaac was never

the man was relentless as he kept

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

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

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

crumbling to the floor in a heap and

over there!" A man's voice yelled from the

which were shaking, along with the rest of his body. What he saw lying on the floor was a

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

sorry." His skittish voice whispered into

to do was hold her and not let go, while looking over and trying to catch a glimpse of

you think he's in

"Who, honey?"

"Him," she pointed behind

With his eyes closed, Charles responded, "I

grip, Lynnette got to her feet and made her way over

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

got up from off the floor and stood beside the table,