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."

"I wish so much I could be there with

just fine, girl. You just take care of

"Please insert another quarter for five more minutes." The recording over the phone all of the sudden

"Mama, I'm almost out of

"Go on back to work, Lynn,

love you, mama. And

love you too, baby

hear her child and everyone and everything around her became like fog. The young lady continued

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

nerve; and the people that she could tolerate were beginning to wear thin upon her as well. From the food, the noise, the rain and the heat Lynnette just wanted to drop dead right in the middle of

to the place until her feet that were pedaling so fast at one point started to feel like sludge. She got off the bike and lanced it to a wooden fence before speedily carrying herself to the backdoor. The very second she walked through the door the ruckus of waiters and cooks bantering back and forth in the kitchen rushed at her full bore. From one end to the other men and women raced around, avoiding one another in their daily course of

her scarf around her already sweating head and inhaled the

Clea announced as she came flying through the swinging doors from

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

"Ya look like you've been cryin',

Lynnette said, "Oh...I was just thinking about

Another one of the waitresses loudly remarked

the woman before starting for the dining room. But before she could take even one step, Clea took her by the hand and said, "Don't ya let Mr. Hunta or dose Yankee boys we be servin' all day

Instantly, Lynnette went 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

my name is Lynnette, and I'll be taking your order today."

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

"Oh really," Lynnette began to relax a

past two days, and we

a few scattered about here and there." Lynnette

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

"I'm from

serious?" They both lit

Still hugging her smile, Lynnette asked,

"What city are you from?" June

"Cypress."

Canton. We're here for our twentieth wedding 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

tumbling stomach 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 at their over-exuberant behavior. Once she had taken their orders Lynnette ran the ticket back to the

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

a sandy-colored blazer, matching slacks and a white shirt, placed the

day, Love." He spoke in a more

"What can I get for you today,

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 right back

"I see. I

"I seem to be a wee-bit sloggered, everyone!" Silas came stumbling out of nowhere with a shot glass full of

Amused, Lynnette rolled her eyes at the drunken man while Livingston appeared on the thralls of getting up and separating the man's head from

"You'll have to forgive him." Lynnette explained. "Sometimes it gets a little

"A bit garish for my taste," Livingston grumbled under his

menu, Lynnette said, "Well, the sweet potato hash is really good, so is the coconut

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 stare that

my homeland, I have never

"Back in my country we prepare them a bit differently; but they're

to know that. This place beats an old pub anytime, my

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

"I shall have your sweet potato hash, and I

wrote down the man's order. "Okay, and

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