The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

The scenery, at least in Lynnette's eyes, was drastically changing. She honestly could no longer tell just where in the city she was. On one hand, it made her feel somewhat relieved that Cypress was no longer under the hex of economic and social collapse, on the other, however, after so many years, not being able to recognize one street after another only made her realize that not only could she and Isaiah be lost, but that perhaps her moving to another city may have been ill-advised altogether.

"Mom, the GPS is going haywire." Isaiah poked an irritated finger at the digital console inside his vehicle's dashboard. "West 7th is around here somewhere, but this thing keeps telling us 100 yards. We're coming up on 100 yards and all I see is 5th Blvd."

Lynnette said nothing; she just held her breath in anticipation of something, anything. She watched in dread as the numbers on the street posts changed until "the" right one appeared right before her skittish eyes.

"Right there," her shaky right index finger dreadfully pointed at 7th Blvd.

"Finally," Isaiah huffed as he turned right on the road.

Lynnette saw the sign as they entered onto the Blvd that read Eastern Estates on a pristine all white board that was posted right at the corner. The woman gawked from one side of the street to the other where one floor cottages all resided. There were white people of varying ages either walking or jogging up and down the freshly paved sidewalks. Shaved lawns and colorful flower beds made for a picture perfect, unrecognizable landscape, while expensive vehicles sat idly by in front of the homes.

"Stop here." Lynnette's tongue fumbled.

On a dime, Isaiah stopped the jeep right in front of a specific home. All around could be heard birds chirping and a couple of dogs barking in a nearby distance. Isaiah couldn't help but to sit and watch his flabbergasted mother soak in the lavish atmosphere.

"I can tell by the paleness in your face that this neighborhood looks a whole lot different than it did way back then." He smirked at his mom.

Lynnette couldn't even answer at first, she just sat with her mouth wide open and her eyes bugged out like she was visiting another planet.

Clearing her dry throat, she replied, "Back then, the only time we saw white people in this neighborhood was when the police drove by."

Looking past her, Isaiah pointed and asked, "Is that where we first lived?"

Lynnette gradually turned her head and muttered ever so softly, "Yeah. Yeah it was. Of course it didn't look like this back then either."

"I can imagine."

Lynnette couldn't move. She couldn't even sweat. She was freezing cold from her head all the way down to the soles of her feet. She figured she would have been a mountain of emotion, but just sitting in her seat was all she could do.

"The last time we were here, you had a sinus infection." She stated with her eyes still directed at the home. "I had to walk all the way down to the corner store, in the freezing cold morning, just to get you some medicine."

Isaiah leaned back in his seat as his eyes shifted back and forth, from the house and to his mother. Then, without any kind of thought whatsoever, Lynnette pulled the latch on the door and proceeded to get out.

"You're going in there?" Isaiah

walking towards the house like a led zombie. Isaiah got out on the other side and

"Mom, are you okay?" He whispered

walking and walking until she met up with the porch where she stepped up

around her were no longer present. It was just her and the pearly white door with the golden knocker in the center. Lynnette stood for at least two whole minutes before her eyes caught sight of the doorbell down to the right of her. Once more, her thought process was vacant. She just pressed the button and waited. Beyond the door she could hear footsteps coming closer and closer. That was when she began to shake. The door swung open to reveal a young, bearded, white man in a pair of shorts and

"Can I help you?" He

this is gonna sound strange, but, I used to live in this exact house

amused, the man remarked,

son, Isaiah." She pointed behind her. "We didn't come to bother

studied both Lynnette and Isaiah before he smiled and nodded. "Sure, c'mon in," he stood

as she could

have company." A young, perky, white woman appeared from out of the

my wife, Leia. And

to meet you both." Lynnette smiled from ear to

Lynnette and Isaiah." Austin presented. "They used

hand asked. "We actually moved in here two years

"Yeah, it's pretty nice here." Austin added. "What was it like

was too enthralled with the chic living room that appeared two sizes bigger than what she once

to tell you the truth, it was a dump way back then." She giggled. "This whole city was that way. You guys are lucky to have

white carpet on the floor. Austin, Leia and Isaiah all stood and watched as the woman carried on in a trance-like state across the house

"You'll have to forgive my mother." Lynnette could hear her son

in the middle of the backyard was no longer in sight. From there she happened to glance down at the floor to see the basement door latch gone as well. Once she had had enough of the kitchen she

hear absolutely nothing. For all she knew everyone could have ran out on her and she would have never known it. She wanted to turn around, but something was preventing her from doing so. Lynnette fought against the force until she was able to twist her head to the left to spot one more room on the tour. She

right hand was trembling as it reached out for the knob. With her shaking hand she twisted and turned the knob until it unlocked and

places they had been years earlier. All around were men's and women's

foot started to tap on the linoleum. A few beads of sweat began to form upon her forehead, and her teeth were beginning to hurt. Lynnette just couldn't take her eyes off of the floor. She tried and tried, but the longer she stared, the more the

are you okay in there?" Isaiah said

linen scent from the

come!" She