The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Charles, with his cane in one hand, and a tool box and steel snake gathered in the other knocked on door number 5 and waited until Robin opened it.

"Good morning, young fella!" Charles said with a wide open smile.

"How are you, Mr. Mercer?" Robin smiled back while stepping aside to allow the man in. "Glad you could show up on a Sunday morning."

Coming in, Charles replied, "Don't you worry about that. I got nothing better to do on these mornings anymore."

Robin's apartment was as cluttered and out of shape as one would possibly expect from such a young man. Jiffy Pop bags lying on the couch, sneakers scattered in various spots around the living room floor and a few smelly clothes draped on and across one of the chairs.

Charles just dragged himself along as though he were more than accustomed to the scene. "I figure the more I keep myself busy, then that'll keep me out of trouble." Charles humorously stated.

"I try to do the same thing myself, sir." Robin remarked as he stood before Charles.

Charles couldn't help but to take notice of Robin's t-shirt that bore a very curious image pasted on the front. For a second or two Charles had to take a double glance.

"I've seen that fella before somewhere." He pointed at the shirt with a grin.

"Oh, this," Robin proudly poked out his chest. "It's Lord Vader from Star Wars."

"Oh, that movie," Charles playfully rolled his eyes. "Man, you can't go anywhere without hearing about that movie."

"I saw it three times at the theatre over the summer."

"Three times," Charles nearly dropped to the floor. "I ain't never heard of no one seeing a movie three times! It must be that darn good."

Laughing out loud, Robin said, "It's incredible! I've never seen anything like it. I sure hope they make a sequel sometime soon."

Shaking his head in jovial disbelief, Charles said, "My boy used to love going to the movies. I never did take him to see...a movie." His voice suddenly hesitated without warning. "I never did." He then bowed his head for a moment.

Sitting himself down on the messy couch, Robin said, "I think it's still playing down at the Olen Theater. If you're lucky you can still catch it before it goes away for good."

Waving his hand, Charles responded, "No thanks, Hollywood can have it. I went to the drug store down the street yesterday, and there were all these little kids in there buying costumes that look like that fella on your shirt; and some Bigfoot character, too."

Giggling, Robin said, "Oh, you must mean Chewbacca."

"I don't know what his name was, but it looked pretty darn gruesome to me."

Just as Charles was about to make his way into the kitchen, his attention was suddenly snatched by Robin picking up a small, black contraption from off the floor in front of him. The thing had a black stick protruding from out of its center. The man watched in odd curiosity as the young man turned on the television in front of him and stuck a cartridge inside a medium sized box.

his mouth hanging wide open, asked

Atari system, Mr. Mercer." Robin

hear sounds come from the television as if the thing were

a video game." Robin

shook his head, "A game,

in the box right

glad my son never asked me and his mama for anything like that.

get in as much practice as I can when it comes to the decathlon, even

"I

you like

smiled. "Mrs. Watson sure does

really a nice lady. She's everywhere in this city. Ever since the

fella, does Mrs. Watson ever talk about...you know what? It doesn't matter. What does matter is that yesterday I finally got to see my grandson after so many

"That must've been

and bigger every time I see him. He's shooting up like a weed like his father did at that age. But I'd sure like to know where the boy's mama is

turned around to face Charles. "I take it she and your

away for a brief second before looking back and saying in a polite tone, "My son

Blushing, Robin replied, "Oh...I'm

kitchen, I'll see what I can get

Jumping up from off the couch, Robin led the way through

Approaching the sink,

the sink to find it filled to

a sewage backup, but

observed as he placed his cane down onto the floor, along with both his toolbox and

some water after my run, the next thing I know, this crap comes out."

"It's

then, the phone from the other room

Go right ahead." Charles said as he dipped

back up. But what he brought out was something that not even he could have expected. It was his son's head dripping with blackness all over. Out of shock, Charles promptly dropped it back inside the sink and watched as it

stood and stared for a brief moment before

backside met with a small table. Immediately, his body began to shiver. His eyes could not peel themselves away from the

the problem?" Robin came

shook back to life. "Oh...I was just taking a long view." He wiped the sweat from his brow before reaching down and

snake into the drain. With hesitant muscles the man wrenched and pulled until the

Both he and Robin stood in breathless anticipation, even though their reasons for the eventual conclusion couldn't have been anymore contrasting. It took the water at least thirty seconds to empty out. For Charles, it was those same thirty seconds that lasted for an eternity. He actually attempted to stand in front of an