The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Chapter 8

"Okay, he we are." Audra pleasantly announced as she parked her blue, 1973 Monte Carlo in front of a three story apartment building.

Charles sat in the passenger's seat and looked out the window at the aged building in a subtle, if not somewhat passive glare as to say that the tenement wasn't what he expected.

Slowly climbing out of the car with his cane in hand, Charles watched as Audra, dressed in a pair of brown corduroy pants and an orange jacket, practically raced around the vehicle to open the trunk.

"Now don't you go gettin' my bags for me!" Charles limped over towards the woman. "I am perfectly capable of carrying my own stuff." The man politely smiled as he secured his two duffle bags from Audra.

Smiling right back, Audra said, "Okay, but don't you go trying to climb those stairs without me." She shut the trunk and walked beside Charles.

The sharp, morning wind scooted both individuals up five stone steps that led to the front door of the brick building. Audra pushed open the door and held it for Charles behind her.

"This door is left unlocked until 8 p.m." Audra explained. "Everyone has their own key, so if you need to get in then it shouldn't be a problem."

"I understand." Charles graciously made his way inside. "Shucks, at my age, I'm in the bed at 8 p.m." He snickered.

"Me, too," Audra laughed back.

Charles stood for a moment or two and examined the downstairs area where to his immediate right was ten mailbox slots. Straight ahead was the kitchen, as well as another door just shy of the threshold.

"As you can probably tell, this is the second floor." Audra presented. "I already put your name on your own mailbox.

"Thank you very much." Charles grinned.

"Down that way is the kitchen. Now, each apartment has its own icebox and stove, but the kitchen is primarily used for the big meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter."

"I see." Charles nodded his head.

"And that door there leads down to the basement." Audra pointed. "We have a few folks in here that keep their bikes down there. We actually had a woman that tried to hide her Doberman down there once."

"Are you serious?" Charles looked shocked.

"Oh yes, I had to kick her behind outta here."

All of the sudden, both Charles and Audra spun around at the clamoring of what sounded like feet tumbling down the stairs next to them. Charles staggered back a bit to see just what was happening.

"Oh, it's you!" Audra caught herself.

It was a young, white man with a curly, brown afro who was clothed in an all blue jogging suit and tennis shoes.

"Oh, sorry, Mrs. Watson, I was just on my way out." The man suddenly stopped short of the front door.

"Robin, I want you to meet Mr. Mercer."

"How are you, sir?" Robin gladly extended his right hand.

Charles gregariously greeted

"Mr. Mercer is gonna

yeah," Robin lit up. "That's

Charles exclaimed as he studied Robin from head to

and

"Get running?" Charles questioned. "Gettin' your exercise

like that, sir. You see, I'm training

"You don't say!"

mine ever since I was a kid, or at least ever since Bruce

"Oh, the fella on the cereal box," Charles

good day, and it was great meeting you, sir!" Robin said as he bolted out the

see ya

good boy." Audra began for the upstairs. "Always runnin' around here and

a good boy, a good boy

up alright?" Audra turned with a

best I can." Charles strained

are upstairs." Audra

this place is like a castle to me. Besides, the doctor said that I need all the exercise I can get.

be a different story attached. One door had The

mystery. All the shut doors might as

apartment number six with a

of cabinets above it and an icebox, while in another

self-explanatory as you can

place, I can assure you that." Charles grinned from

bedroom." Audra directed. "The last gentleman that was here made sure

Charles just stood in the middle of the kitchen floor and gazed all around at his new environment with the same subtlety that

that you enjoy yourself here." Audra handed the key

quite sure I will, Mrs. Watson." He

known each other since

replied, "Well, that's just the way I

and said, "You can call me Audra. This is your

around some more and saying, "Now, I'm gonna tell you something, Mrs....Audra. I don't plan on just sitting around here and doing nothing morning, noon and night." He adamantly stated. "I plan on going down to that little diner on the

about

Patting her on the hand, Charles replied,

on her hips and stared around the apartment for

around here. The last one we had couldn't seem to stay off

"I know how to fix stuff." Charles' eyes grew two

You pick up the maintenance duties around here and we'll see what we

Audra with a suspicious hint in his eyes, as though he could sense that the gears in her

for the better." She pressed her lips

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