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.

you, young fella!" Charles gregariously greeted the boy with a hearty

"Mr. Mercer is gonna

lit up. "That's

Charles exclaimed as he studied

out and get

running?" Charles questioned. "Gettin' your

You see, I'm

"You don't say!" Charles

of mine ever since I

"Oh, the fella

and it was great meeting you, sir!" Robin

"I'll see ya around, young

began for the

"He's a good boy, a good boy indeed." Charles followed in

it up alright?" Audra turned

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

are upstairs." Audra lamented as she made it to

Besides, the doctor said that I need all the exercise I

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 other

everything that surrounded him was a complete and utter mystery.

are." Audra stood in front of apartment

small stove, a couple of cabinets above it and an icebox, while in another room adjacent from the tiny kitchen

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

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

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

in the middle of the kitchen floor and gazed all around at his new environment with the same subtlety that he carried with him out of the car moments earlier.

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

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

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

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

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

noon and night." He adamantly stated. "I plan on going down to that little diner on the corner and seeing if they

"But what about

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

placed her hands on her hips and stared around

need a maintenance man around here. The last one we had couldn't seem to stay off the

fix stuff."

look for work. You pick up the maintenance

in his eyes, as though he could sense that the gears in her

"It'll all work out for the better." She

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