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.

meet you, young fella!" Charles gregariously greeted the

is gonna be

Robin lit up.

"Well, that's good to know!" Charles exclaimed as he studied Robin

and

Charles questioned. "Gettin'

"Something like that, sir. You see, I'm training for

don't say!" Charles grew

mine ever since I was a kid, or at least

"Oh, the fella on

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

"I'll see ya

Audra began for the upstairs. "Always runnin' around here and

good boy, a good boy indeed." Charles followed in

you make it up alright?" Audra turned with a

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

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

Meeting her, Charles said, "Now you stop apologizing, this place is like a castle to me. Besides, the doctor said that I need all the exercise I can get. So those steps will do just

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

mystery. All the shut doors might as well have been dungeons as

apartment number six with a

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

"Everything is self-explanatory as you can

last place, I can assure you that."

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

stood 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. On the outside he was marveling,

sure do hope and pray that you enjoy yourself here." Audra

sure I will, Mrs. Watson." He happily

you and I have known each other since

Charles replied, "Well, that's just the way I see

and said, "You can

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 little diner on the corner and seeing if they have anything open. Add to the fact that I

"But what about

the hand, Charles replied, "I'll

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

need a maintenance man around here. The last one

fix stuff." Charles' eyes grew two

work. You pick up the maintenance duties around here and we'll see

in his eyes, as though he could sense

"It'll all work out for the

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