The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Chapter 12

"What on earth is all that noise, child?" Lynnette's mother shouted over the phone.

Rolling her eyes at both her mom and the passing trucks beside her as she stood at the phone booth on the sidewalk, Lynnette said aloud, "It's traffic, mama! I had to use the phone outside this time!"

Lynnette had to keep a close eye on not only her watch but also the passing traffic that would at times splash water and mud up and onto the sidewalk where she was standing. She made sure to keep both her multi-colored apron and shoes as far away from the curb as possible.

"How is dad doing?" Lynnette glanced all around at the various people walking past her up and down along the street and sidewalks.

Sighing, her mother said, "He actually started back to work just last week."

"Really," Lynnette perked right up. "I bet you're happy about that; not having to work anymore."

"Oh no, I'm still gonna keep my job." Her mother quickly spoke up. "We need as much money as we can get our hands on. I'm just glad that your father is able to work again. Hopefully his time off won't affect his pension."

"I'll be sending another check next Friday." Lynnette said. "I got shorted this week because...because the restaurant had a leak, and we had to cut our hours."

"Don't worry too much about your money. You need it more for your recovery."

Lynnette bit down on her bottom lip right then, just as she did almost every time they talked over the phone.

"Isaac's father called here the other day." Wilma bitterly muttered.

"Oh yeah," Lynnette asked with a hint of wonder in her tone. "How is he doing?"

"He wanted to see the baby. I told him that that wouldn't be a good idea."

Exhaling, Lynnette replied, "Mama, let Mr. Mercer see Isaiah. He hasn't done anything wrong to anyone. That's his grandson, too."

Wilma breathed in and out before moaning, "I guess so. But do you think it's safe to let him be alone with Isaiah?"

Hopelessly grinning, Lynnette said, "Mama, that man wouldn't hurt a fly. Believe me, I should know. Listen, I have to get going. Let me talk to Isaiah real quick, please."

Lynnette waited until she could hear the boy playfully screaming for his 'mommy.' All the young woman could do was hold her breath and try not to burst out into tears.

"Hi, mommy," Isaiah blurted out.

"Hi...hi, baby." She braced herself. "Have you been a good boy?"

"Yeah," he shouted. "I go see Harem Grobtotters' with papaw!"

"You saw The Harlem Globetrotters?" She laughed. "Did you like them?"

"Yes! They play basketball!"

Unable to contain her joy, Lynnette said, "I know they do, baby."

"Okay, I got go now!"

"Okay, honey. I love you."

"Love you!"

Lynnette couldn't contain herself any longer. Her face immediately exploded into tears right there on the sidewalk in front of everyone to see.

"I swear that child has such a loud voice." Wilma came back to the phone. "He's gonna grow up to be a singer, I can guarantee that."

Wiping her face, Lynnette cleared her throat. "Is...is he still having nightmares about dogs?"

"Off and on," Wilma's voice faltered. "I let him sleep with me and your dad sometimes."

much I could be

just take care of your health. That's all that matters right

more minutes." The recording over the phone all of

"Mama, I'm almost

"Go on back to work, Lynn,

"Okay, I love you, mama.

love you

long, the irate noise of the traffic became all but soundless. All she had to do was hear her child and everyone and everything around her became like fog. The young lady continued to wipe her face before she eventually got onto her bike and pedaled down the street that led to the nearby

Lynnette was finding more and more that her phone calls home were becoming more of a nuisance than a blessing. There wasn't a day that passed by that she didn't want to race to the airport and hop on the very first plane back to Ohio. She was beginning to believe that her

She harbored such thoughts ever since first arriving in Jamaica. Nothing about the country made her feel at ease. Almost everything and everyone had gotten on her last nerve; and the people that she could tolerate were beginning to wear thin upon her as well. From the food, the noise, the rain

started to feel like sludge. She got off the bike and lanced it to a wooden fence before speedily carrying herself to the backdoor.

Lynnette only wrapped her scarf around her already sweating head and inhaled the curry

"Ya keep getting later and later, girl!" Clea

studied its writing. Clea stood next to Lynnette and said nothing. Lynnette could feel a presence beside her

"Ya look like you've been cryin', girl."

Jumping back, Lynnette said, "Oh...I was just

"Ya know she always gets dat way after talking to her son!" Another one of the waitresses loudly remarked as she carried a

she could take even one step, Clea took her by the hand and said, "Don't ya let Mr. Hunta or dose

over to the small mirror on the wall next to the backdoor and examined herself. Within the mirror she saw a face flush with both tears and sorrow. She promptly wiped it all away before turning, brushing right past Clea and bolting out into the busy dining area. Her once distressed face had within the span of three seconds blossomed into a blissful bouquet of a smile and dreamy eyes that caused most patrons to instantaneously take notice of her. Lynnette spotted her assigned

and I'll be taking

"Oh, you're actually an American!" The

Taken aback, Lynnette replied,

"Wow, you have to be the first American we've seen since we've been here." The lady appeared so amused. "We're the Millers. I'm June, and this is

"Oh really,"

here now for the past two days, and

"There's actually a few scattered

from the states are you from? If you don't mind us

"I'm

serious?" They both lit up. "We're from

her smile, Lynnette asked, "Wow, what

city are you

"Cypress."

anniversary." Bill enthusiastically gripped his wife's hand. "It's amazing that this town was started just a few years ago. " He marveled. "And by a gang of hippies,

to gradually settle. It didn't make a difference what color they were, they reminded her of home, and that alone made the young woman only laugh all the harder

"Hello, sir. Welcome to The Kabal. Can I take your order?" She

Livingston, adorned in a sandy-colored blazer, matching slacks and

"Good day, Love." He spoke in a

"What can I get for

to cheek, Livingston stared straight at Lynnette before saying, "I must say that I've been to this place quite a few times, but I never knew they employed

"Yeah, I'm only here for a little while, and then I'm heading

Livingston replied, "I see. I see. Well,

with a shot

Livingston appeared on the thralls of getting up and separating

him." Lynnette explained.

my taste," Livingston grumbled

Lynnette said, "Well, the

Lynnette removed her eyes away from the menu she noticed that Livingston suddenly had an intriguing glare staring right at her. It was an alluring, if not spaced out

"I must say, coming from my homeland, I have never tried sweet potatoes before." Livingston

in my country we prepare them a bit differently;

"I'm awfully glad to know that.

to stand at the table, practically melting inside her own tennis shoes. She wasn't flattered, but rather anxious

"I shall have your sweet potato hash, and I shall top

man's order. "Okay, and will

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