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."

wish so much I could be there with

be just fine, girl. You just take care

five more minutes." The recording over the phone all of the sudden

I'm almost out of

on back to work, Lynn, and we'll

I love you, mama. And tell daddy I

"We love you too,

so long, the irate noise of the traffic became all but soundless. All she had to do was hear her child

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 journey was all

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 and the

bike rounded the bend that dead ended towards The Kabal her stomach immediately began twisting and churning. A sour taste began swirling about inside her mouth the closer she made it 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

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

and later, girl!" Clea announced as she came

swiped one of the order tickets from off the hanging turnstile and studied its

"Ya look like you've been cryin',

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

her son!" Another one of the waitresses loudly remarked as she carried a large plate of food out into the

could take even one step, Clea took

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

"Hello, my name is Lynnette, and I'll be

"Oh, you're actually an American!"

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

"Oh really," Lynnette began to relax

for the past two days, and we

"There's actually a few scattered about here

"Whereabouts from the states are you from? If you don't mind us asking," Bill

"I'm from

"Are you serious?" They both

smile, Lynnette asked, "Wow, what

"What city are you from?"

"Cypress."

"We're from 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 of

another voice that didn't sound like an islander's caused her once tumbling stomach to gradually settle. It didn't make a difference what color they were, they reminded her of home, and that alone

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

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

He spoke in a more dignified

"What can I get for you

must say that I've been to this place quite a few times,

here for a little while, and then I'm heading right back

with kindness, Livingston replied, "I see. I see. Well, what do you

wee-bit sloggered, everyone!" Silas came stumbling out of nowhere with a shot glass full of bourbon and a loud, jovial

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

forgive him." Lynnette explained. "Sometimes it gets a little

garish for my taste," Livingston grumbled under his breath

"Well, the

suddenly had an intriguing glare staring right at her. It was an

my homeland, I have never tried sweet potatoes before." Livingston placed his hands on the

"Back in my country we prepare them a

awfully glad to know that. This

Lynnette continued to stand at the table, practically melting inside her own tennis shoes.

your sweet potato hash, and I shall top it

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

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