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 blurted

But Lynnette didn't reply. She simply began walking towards the house like a led zombie. Isaiah got out on the other side and shut her

"Mom, are you okay?" He

up with the porch where she stepped up the stairs and finally stopped

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

I help you?" He

this is

amused, the man

to bother you or intrude; I would just like to take a moment to see inside, if that's alright with

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

much energy and bravery as she could accumulate, Lynnette stepped inside the clean smelling

young, perky, white woman appeared from out

And by

to meet you both." Lynnette

Lynnette and Isaiah." Austin presented. "They used to live

mitt on her right hand asked. "We actually moved in here two years ago when

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

living room that appeared two sizes bigger than what

was a dump way back then." She giggled. "This whole city was that way. You guys are lucky to have been

pure white carpet on the floor. Austin, Leia and Isaiah all stood and

my mother." Lynnette could hear her son speak. "It's been

the stove on her way to the backdoor. She looked through the glass to find that the old shed that once rested 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 made her way back into the living room only to venture down the hallway and to

the force until she was able to twist her head to the left to spot one more room on the tour. She stood and stared down the hallway at one closed door. Lynnette was determined not to stand around and allow fear and hesitation to cause her to wait. It had been 42 years, there was nothing more to

hallway until she finally came face to face with the bathroom door. Her right hand was trembling as it reached out for the knob. With her shaking hand she twisted and turned the knob until

they had been years earlier. All around were men's and women's personal hygiene products, as well as a small picture of Austin and Leia posing in front of Niagara Falls posted on the

all Lynnette could seem to focus upon was the floor. By then, her entire body was shaking so hard that her right 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 images started to appear. From one end to the other blood, a baby, a detective and a thing was all around her. She recalled what Isaiah had mentioned about something big and loud. In her quivering eyes she could see it on the floor reaching out for

"Mom, are you okay in there?" Isaiah

shut her eyes and inhaled the fresh linen scent from the

I come!"