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.

to meet you, young fella!" Charles gregariously greeted

gonna

lit up. "That's right next to

Charles exclaimed as he

gotta get out and get running."

"Get running?" Charles questioned. "Gettin'

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

don't

sir, it's been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid, or at least ever

"Oh, the fella on

"That's right." Robin laughed. "Well, everyone have a good day, and

see ya

began for the upstairs. "Always runnin'

good boy, a good boy indeed."

make it up alright?" Audra turned with a

the best I can." Charles strained up the tall

upstairs." Audra lamented as

her, Charles said, "Now you stop apologizing, this place is like a castle to me. Besides, the doctor said that I need all

that they passed there seemed to be a different story attached. One door had The Floaters', 'Float On,' playing behind it,

a complete and utter mystery. All the shut doors might as well have been dungeons

Audra stood in front of apartment number

right in. Inside was a small stove, a couple of cabinets above it and an icebox, while in another room adjacent from the tiny kitchen was what appeared to be the

is self-explanatory as you can tell." Audra

bigger than my last place, I can

that was here made sure to keep the place in good shape before

the same subtlety that he carried with him out of the car moments earlier. On the outside he was marveling, while on the

that you enjoy yourself here." Audra handed the key

"I'm quite sure I will, Mrs. Watson." He happily took

"Now wait a minute, you and I have known each other since July, and you're still

replied, "Well, that's just the way

Taking Charles by the hand, Audra leaned forward and

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 corner and seeing

"But what about your condition," Audra

Patting her on the hand, Charles replied, "I'll make do

Audra placed her hands on her hips and stared around the apartment for a while

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

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

and look for work. You pick up the maintenance duties around here

in his eyes, as though he

"It'll all work out for

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