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 the boy

Mercer is gonna be staying in

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

exclaimed as he studied Robin from head

"Well, I gotta get out and get

running?" Charles questioned. "Gettin' your

"Something like that, sir. You

don't say!" Charles

sir, it's been a dream of mine ever since

"Oh, the fella on the cereal box,"

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

see

began for the upstairs. "Always

a good boy, a good

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

best I can." Charles strained up the

are upstairs." Audra lamented as she

is like a castle to me. Besides, the doctor said that I need all the exercise I can

to be a different story

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

are." Audra stood in front of apartment number six

and an icebox, while in another room adjacent from the tiny kitchen was what appeared

as

a whole lot bigger than my last place, I can assure

last gentleman that was here made sure to keep the place in

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

that you enjoy yourself here." Audra handed

will, Mrs. Watson." He happily took the

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

that's just the way I see

forward and said, "You can call me Audra.

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

about your condition," Audra looked

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

on her hips and stared around the apartment for

"I'll 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

for work. You pick up the

hint in his eyes, as though he could sense

"It'll all work out for

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