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

"Mr. Mercer is gonna

yeah," Robin lit up. "That's

that's good to know!" Charles exclaimed as he studied Robin from head

and get running." Robin began

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

You see, I'm training for the

"You don't say!"

a dream of mine ever since I was a kid,

fella on the cereal box,"

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

"I'll see ya around,

"He's a good boy." Audra began for the upstairs. "Always runnin' around here

a good boy indeed." Charles followed

"Can you make it up alright?" Audra turned with

make it the best I can." Charles strained up

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

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

down the hallway with Charles bringing up the 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,

that surrounded him was a complete and utter mystery. All the shut doors might as well

front of apartment number six

Charles waited and watched 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

is self-explanatory as you

"It's a whole lot bigger than my last place, I can assure you that." Charles grinned from

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

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

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

I will, Mrs. Watson." He happily

you and I have known each other since July, and you're still calling me Mrs. Watson.

replied, "Well, that's just the

leaned forward and said, "You can call

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

"But what about your condition,"

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

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

need a maintenance man around here. The last one we had couldn't

how to fix stuff." Charles' eyes grew two

and look for work. You pick up the maintenance duties around here and we'll see what we can do about

in his eyes, as though he could sense that the

for the better."

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