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

Mercer is gonna be staying in room

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

to know!" Charles exclaimed as he studied

I gotta get out and get running." Robin began for the

Charles questioned. "Gettin' your exercise

that, sir. You see, I'm training for the

don't say!"

mine ever since I was a kid, or

fella

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

"I'll see ya around,

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

a

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

the best I can." Charles strained up the tall

upstairs." Audra lamented as she made it to

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

up the rear. With every door that they passed there seemed to be a different story

so many months, everything that surrounded him was a complete and utter mystery. All the shut doors might as well have been dungeons as far

apartment number six with a key ready to unlock 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

as

bigger than my last place, I can

"Beyond that door is the bedroom." Audra directed. "The last gentleman that was here

same subtlety that he carried with him out of the car moments earlier. On the outside he was marveling,

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

I will, Mrs. Watson." He happily took

other since July, and you're still calling me Mrs. Watson.

"Well, that's just the way I

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

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 get my early

"But what about your condition,"

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

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

man around here. The

to fix stuff." Charles' eyes grew

out and look for work. You pick up the maintenance duties around here and we'll

a suspicious hint in his eyes, as though he could sense that the gears in her head were moving at lightning

for the better."

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