The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Chapter 27

"Alright, Mrs. Howell, just make sure to rinse the tub out three times a day, and the ring should be gone by the end of the week. Call me if you need anything else." Charles exited apartment four and stood in the middle of the hallway gathering his tools.

An older white man and woman walked by Charles down the hall as he sat his toolbox down onto the floor and scribbled on his notepad. The man continued on before taking a slight glance down the other end of the hallway to see apartment eight. Charles then slipped his pencil and notepad inside his back pocket and picked up his toolbox before carrying himself down to the door and knocking. It took exactly two seconds for Russell to fling open the door.

Charles took an abrupt step backwards before looking up and smiling, "Good morning, sir."

"Oh, good morning," Russell sullenly mumbled before stepping aside to allow Charles in.

Feeling the coldness of his response, Charles made sure not to get too close to the young man as he entered into the darkened apartment.

"Sorry I wasn't able to come last night." Charles said. "I had to wait for the drug store to open this morning so I could get some supplies."

"Don't worry about it." Russell replied as he shut the door behind him. "Mrs. Fuller let me put my food inside her icebox until mine got fixed."

Charles took in as much of the living room area as his eyes would allow at once. From one end of the room to the other was nothing but dimness. Had it not been for the sun shining outside and poking tiny rays through the closed window shade it would have been completely black. Much to Charles' surprise Russell's living room was neat and tidy; just a couch with an issue of Playboy seated on one of the arms, a television and a bureau where a stereo was placed. Had he not known any better, Charles would have thought that the man had just recently moved in.

Russell, who was wearing a brown sweater and a pair of blue jeans and socks made his way towards the kitchen.

"The icebox is in here, man." He suspiciously muttered.

Caught off guard for a moment, Charles came to and smiled, "Oh, okay, here I come." He followed the young man inside the kitchen and right away saw the refrigerator before anything else.

"These old Kelvinator's ain't what they used to be." Russell scratched at his unshaven beard.

Cautiously approaching the icebox, Charles replied with a humble smirk, "No, sir, they sure aren't." Skittish at the thought of opening the refrigerator's door, Charles sucked in his gut and reached out.

"I wish Mrs. Audra would buy some new ones." Russell blurted out. "She said these have been in here for years."

Quickly snapping back, Charles said, "I see." He then gripped the handle and slowly opened the door to find nothing but an empty space where food once resided. Inside his own head he exhaled.

The man rooted about inside before saying, "Yeah, it's the motor alright." He observed. "I got exactly what you need right here."

Charles turned and reached down into his toolbox to pull out the equipment he needed. He then stood back up and noticed Russell staring oddly right back at him before he continued turning back to the icebox. As Charles diligently worked he could feel Russell's penetrating eyes burn a hole right into his back. He couldn't help but to think that something was stirring not only within the young man's mind, but also with the evil that had been following him. Charles could feel it like an oncoming car wreck. The longer the kitchen remained ominously silent the faster he seemed to work. The thought of getting out of the apartment as quickly as possible gave him the vigor of a toddler.

"So, uh, if you don't mind me asking, what happened to your leg?"

Rolling his eyes, Charles kept on working while replying, "Well, I had a bit of an accident a few months back."

"Yeah, I have accidents, too." Russell sniggered.

Charles was taken aback at the reaction. In his ears it sounded accusatory rather than sympathetic.

Charles then turned back around to his toolbox and managed to catch a glimpse of Russell leaning against the counter with his arms folded.

"Every time I pass by your apartment I always hear music going." Charles went back to work. "What happened today?"

funky moods." Russell said. "I really wanna go down to The Porter to catch the horror movie marathon they got

"Oh, I see." Charles grinned. "You like those kind

"Not really, but they take my mind off of things sometimes." Russell sort of

himself of where Russell had been before he opened his mouth and said, "Yeah...I can

Sidney Poitier got a new

"Oh yeah," Charles perked up slightly. "What are they

"They got a new movie called 'A Piece of the Action,' I wanna

a while ago." Charles said. "Really

to make sure my fridge was

asked as he

"Man, I don't work anymore. Nah, all I do is just hang around. Mrs. Audra caught

right back before turning around with the pair of wires in his

at attention to study the wires for himself before he leaned back against

"You got something for

head back down to the hardware store to get what I

"That's solid. It's not like I have much to do myself." Russell once again scratched at his

the living room with Russell following in behind him. All of the sudden, Charles saw Russell step right past him on his way to the couch where his Playboy magazine was lying. Russell took the magazine and promptly stuffed it underneath one of the couch's pillows. A bit startled, Charles stood in place and stared strangely

on his face, Charles

man, I just didn't want you to see that."

know exactly

do for a living, I

Charles' grin soon vanished before a concerned stare came upon

back pockets, Russell said, "Yeah, being

just dropped his head and blushed. "And just how do you know that I used to do

appeared

Charles lamented. "That was

"But I was just at your

him. He wasn't at any more ease than he was when he first walked into the apartment, but at least he was

"You've been to my church before?" Charles inquired with a curious

were preaching in the book of Exodus; something about

"Yeah...yeah, I recall that

"Yeah, I remember your son was

his teeth right then. "I must have not left much of an impression on you if you only came one

head and smiled before looking back. "Man, I was in a bad place in my life at that time. I was just going around...looking for something, I guess. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed your sermon. As a matter of fact, your church was the last I ever went to. I just needed to be

that instant. He was standing only six feet away from Russell and he could feel

"What made you quit

didn't want to turn and storm out the door. His patience and threshold of pain were all drawing to a

Charles responded, "Just like you, I needed

back at Charles before he turned and began for the lone window inside his living room. "Yeah, I can definitely feel that." Russell said as he peered outside. "I know you wonder why I listen to the

"It's crossed my mind a time

on the radio, I couldn't help but to fall in love with it. I ran right out and got the album. I listen to it every day, at least ten

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