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.

"Good to meet you, young fella!" Charles gregariously greeted the

gonna be

yeah," Robin lit up.

Charles exclaimed

"Well, I gotta get out and get running." Robin began for the

"Get running?" Charles

You see, I'm training for the

don't

of mine ever since I was a

fella on the cereal box," Charles

"Well, everyone have a good day, and it was great meeting you, sir!" Robin said as he

"I'll see

a good boy." Audra began for the

a good boy indeed." Charles followed in

it up alright?" Audra turned with

"I'll make it the best I can." Charles strained

"I'm sorry that all the rooms are upstairs." Audra lamented as she

a castle to me. Besides, the doctor said

be a different story attached. One door had The Floaters', 'Float On,' playing behind

complete and utter mystery. All the shut doors might as well have been dungeons as far as his superstitious

stood in front of apartment number six with a key ready

icebox, while in another room adjacent from the

"Everything is self-explanatory as you can tell." Audra

bigger than my last place, I can assure you that." Charles grinned from ear

that was here made sure to keep the place in

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

and pray that you enjoy yourself here." Audra handed the

will, Mrs. Watson." He

other since July, and you're still calling

Blushing, Charles replied, "Well, that's just

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

night." He adamantly stated. "I plan on going down to that

"But what about your condition," Audra looked

Patting her on the hand, Charles replied,

on her hips and stared around the apartment for a while before focusing back

"I'll tell you what, we need a maintenance man around here. The last one we had couldn't seem

stuff." Charles'

go out and look for work. You pick up the maintenance duties

suspicious hint in his eyes, as though he could sense that the gears in her head were moving

all work out for the better." She pressed

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