The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Spring 2019

There was such a lukewarm breeze that blew so subtly by the cemetery that late morning. It kept on flowing until it eventually settled and abided inside the quiet, spacious stretch of land that was home to various collections of tombstones and mausoleums. In the far off distance could be seen a funeral service being conducted, while a few people sporadically scattered in certain spots walked and toured the grounds in solemn contemplation. In one particular part of the grounds, underneath a budding maple tree, rested three gravestones. Standing tall above one of the three graves was a certain man in his mid-forties by the name of Isaiah.

He had become a fairly well-built man. His thick, well-groomed dreadlocks that were tied to the back bristled in the breeze while his goatee seemed to itch for no apparent reason the longer he stood looking down. He had his hands clinched together as his knees kept buckling underneath him. Every so often he would push his eyeglasses back onto his face while taking glances to make sure he was still all alone in his area.

"Even till this day I still get reports of you from various people in the family. Aunt Jackie still can't even stand to hear your name being uttered." He snickered. "Every so often I'll look at your pictures and just wonder what could have been." Isaiah then took a deep breath before shutting his eyes momentarily. "I still get these crazy images in my mind from time to time, wondering just where in the world they even come from. But in my life, I've come to realize that not everyone is or was what they seemed to be, or were reported to be." Isaiah grinned. "I remember glances of you. You holding me, playing with me. So I figure if I have those recollections, then it doesn't really matter what someone else has to say. All they could ever tell me was that you just up and left one day...and never returned. At least that's what grandma and grandpa said. But I know for a fact that after all that I've been through in my life, you were always right there by my side. Somehow, someway, I always knew that."

Isaiah then turned away for a second. "I can't believe I'm even talking like this. But then again, I'd hope if the situation were different, I'd want my kids to say the same thing about me. So, um...that's all I came by to say after all these years. Sorry it took so long to come and say it, but...I've never been a sentimental kind of guy. I just pray that you continue to rest in peace. And always know that...that I never hated you." Isaiah wiped his nose real quick before hearing footsteps creep up behind him. He composed himself and turned to see his mother walking up with her hands inside her jacket pockets. "Where were you all this time?" Isaiah looked strangely.

"I was over there talking to my mama and daddy." Lynnette quaintly nodded her head backwards.

The two of them stood over the three graves for a few moments before Isaiah looked over at his mom and asked, "Are you okay?"

Grinning slightly, Lynnette meekly replied, "Yeah...I just can't believe I'm here."

"Yeah, me neither." Isaiah shrugged. "Feels like we're in another world."

"To you it feels like another world, but to

longer before he kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "I'll be waiting

Lynnette only smiled as the presence of her son departed from her. With her own eyeglasses, greying hair and a few wrinkles on her face that she could have done without, the woman scanned the graveyard from front to back before finally bringing her head about face and down to the three stones beneath her; from Mr. and Mrs. Mercer and eventually their son. All three markers were set perfectly side by side each other

loud, but her mouth was immobile as was her entire body for that

haven't been here since your mama died." She struggled to utter. "I didn't even come

me? Well, when I finally got back from Jamaica I took Isaiah and myself and we left Cypress in 1981. This city was just falling apart back then. No jobs, no kind of future. We moved to Columbus and ended up doing pretty well for ourselves there. I got a job working as a secretary for a banking firm. Worked there in different positions

find a conversation to hold, but instead she found herself slipping deeper and

an attitude. And I realize that attitude has chased a lot of men away. But then again, I had more important things on my mind. Things like what, you ask?" She nodded. "Ohh...old, cold winters. Some of the old music we used

was right then and there that Lynnette caught herself and held on as tight as she could. She could feel

this." She began to whimper. "I can't stand here and pretend like I'm in another world. I didn't come all the way

But deep down, I just want you to know that I still love you. I love Isaiah too. I want to be his dad more than anything. I just have to deal with this the best I can. Even though he has his doubts, dad still doesn't know, and I want to keep it that way. Look, we'll deal with this the best way we can. All I can say to you is that

looked back down at Isaac's grave with

to forgive myself after all these years. I keep going back and forth in my head who was wrong and who was right? Should I have done this? Or if you hadn't done that. All I do is make myself go even crazier. No matter where I end up, it all leads back to one thing. I went along with the lie for so long that I actually convinced myself that Isaiah even looked like you. But no matter what, I always thank you for seeing

that really happen? Till this day I can't even speak of it. I can't even say one word. Your son

as she could at that instant before saying, "I remember our final night together. In that bathroom, I used to wonder if you really did want to kill