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

is gonna be staying in room

"Oh yeah," Robin lit up. "That's right next

to know!" Charles exclaimed as he

and get running." Robin began for

"Get running?" Charles questioned. "Gettin'

sir. You

"You don't say!" Charles grew

ever since I was a kid, or at least ever

the fella on the cereal box,"

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

see ya around,

good boy." Audra began for the upstairs. "Always

a good boy, a good boy indeed." Charles

make it up alright?"

make it the best I can." Charles strained up the

sorry that all the rooms are upstairs." Audra lamented as she made it

a castle to me. Besides, the doctor said that I need all the exercise I can get. So those steps will

rear. With every door that they passed there seemed to be a different story attached. One door had The Floaters', 'Float On,' playing behind it, while another door had the smell of chicken frying on the

a complete and utter mystery. All the shut doors might

in front of apartment number

as she opened the door and stepped 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 living area, complete with one couch, a small table beside it and a television in front of

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

last place, I can assure you

the bedroom." Audra directed. "The last gentleman that was here made sure to keep the place in good shape

around at his new environment with the same subtlety that he carried with him out of the

that you enjoy yourself here." Audra handed the key to

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

wait a minute, you and I have known each other since July, and

replied, "Well, that's just the way

Taking Charles by the hand, Audra leaned forward and said, "You can call me

morning, noon and night." He adamantly stated. "I plan

what about

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

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

you what, we need a maintenance man around here. The

to fix stuff." Charles' eyes grew

and it definitely beats having to go out and look for work. You pick up the maintenance duties around here and we'll see what we can

suspicious hint in his eyes, as though he could sense that the

work out for the better."

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