The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Chapter 26

Charles sat inside Audra's apartment on a gusty evening staring down at his plate that still had a sizable slab of meatloaf lying to one side. Mahalia Jackson's, 'How I got over,' was playing on a low volume on the record player that rested on the bureau behind Charles. The man sat and scraped at his plate like a child. He couldn't decide what to focus on more, the music playing behind him, or the wind outside the window. Every so often he would glance over at the window and the streetlamp beyond it that was burning bright as it possibly could for 6 p.m., as well as the tree beside it that was losing its leaves daily.

Audra suddenly came back into the dining room and closed the blind before looking down at Charles' plate. "Well, I thought you said you liked meatloaf." She grinned somewhat.

Coming out of his stupor, Charles sat up and smiled, "I like it very much. I was just thinking for a few moments."

Audra sat herself down at the small table opposite Charles before she began eating away at the last bits of her okra. "It makes me wonder if Mrs. Mercer made better meatloaf than me." She smirked.

Chuckling, Charles replied, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with your cooking. I'm quite sure Mr. Watson enjoyed every bit of it himself."

Blushing, Audra said, "Shoot, that poor man ate like an ant. People used to call 'em Mr. String bean."

Both Charles and Audra giggled amongst themselves for a few seconds before Charles finished the rest of his milk and sighed, "No, I was just wondering a few things to myself."

"I wonder a lot, too. Like how many days it'll take for me to get used to this time change all over again." Audra quipped.

"I know. I sure do wish they would make up their minds on this daylight savings nonsense." Charles griped. "I always hate it when it gets dark at 5 p.m."

Right then, Audra placed her fork down onto her plate before rearing forward and asking, "Do you realize that this is the most conversation we've had ever since you arrived this evening?"

Catching himself, Charles said, "Really? Sometimes people have to tell me to shut up."

"You were certainly a chatterbox back at the hospital. But now, it seems ever since you arrived here, you've just shut down."

Blushing, Charles sat back and exhaled long and deep. He knew exactly what Audra meant, and yet, he felt as if he had to tread lightly when it came down to his business.

"It sure was great to see my grandson the other day." His eyes beamed.

Smiling, Audra said, "I bet it was after all this time."

"But as much as I enjoyed seeing him, I sure do wish I could've seen Lynn, too."

"It's sad that she just up and left her son the way she did."

Wincing in his seat, Charles said, "I don't think she simply just up and left. Lynn is a good girl. The last time I saw her she was such a mess. And I surely didn't help matters myself. I just feel as if she's into something a lot deeper than I first thought."

"You don't think she's in some kind of danger do you?" Audra frowned.

It took a moment for Charles to answer. "I pray to God that's not the case." He murmured with his head down. "She and Isaac was such a good couple before...before everything went downhill."

Appearing faintly surprised, Audra remarked, "I believe that this is the first time you've actually mentioned your son to me since you were in the hospital."

fond. "Me and his mama were so happy when he was born. After all the mess I did in my

and Audra such a blissful calm inside the dining room that one would believe that their very souls had

We were happy, mind you, but that

out loud while Charles himself just smiled and sat up in his chair with his hands folded. The man could feel the ice beginning to melt away, but the glacier was still as mighty

sure was a good boy." His voice

any children was my biggest regret." Audra somberly remarked. "My husband felt that doing his work down at the church

"Well, I am sorry about that."

am I." Audra sighed. "But at least you got a chance to love your son

sat and peered down at the white table cloth before allowing his thoughts to

"Charles? Charles, are you okay?" Audra stared

my son stumbled upon something

and standoffish, Audra asked, "How

then looked up at Audra with stiff eyes. "Do you remember that incident that took place back in February with that young man that nearly killed his fiancée and

with a stunned glare on her face. "That was

Charles shamefully nodded his head and replied, "Something took my son away from me long before that horrible night. And

and pieces of what he was trying to say, but her face told the story of a woman who was stumbling into territory that she didn't want

seen people of all ages and colors get

few months I've been going up the wall trying to figure out something that I know deep down in my soul

a thing as what,"

when I was fixing Robin's sink, I felt it. I even felt

Parrish." Audra callously waved her hand. "He got out of

"Is

"Yep," she responded. "He's harmless. All he does is stay inside his apartment and play music. If he's not doing that then he's walking all over town like he's homeless. He gets a check from the Army every month, so as long

try and take me down with it all over again like it tried to do back in the summer. It took Isaac, and it tried to take

believe this thing is?"

of his chair and sat down in the seat that was placed right next to her. Both of them drew close to each other at that instant as the record on the turnstile finished

and believe me when I say, I totally understand. But I've been meaning to ask you about this for the past few

surprise, Audra took Charles' hands before she uttered with a serious

need to know just what exactly went on inside that

grip from Charles before sitting back in her chair and looking away. Charles could see the glassiness in her eyes. The very

Audra...I have to know what

her head around with

I can't even see my child without it being something just as terrible. I remember the last night I spoke to him. I had to cuss that boy out. Funny thing is, I barely recall what I even said. I think

bearing down upon her to the point where pulling out just one word

could get back to the shelter, I heard nothing but screaming and yelling inside. Lord help me, I

hear her tell the story, and still, he didn't want

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