Page 9 of Pills and Potions: Snoh
Nodding, he followed my instructions to the T. I grabbed my.9mm from underneath the passenger seat and tucked it in my waist. I was a nigga with money now and I knew exactly how niggas in The Shores got down. I wasn’t chancing shit.
“Thomas, you good?” I questioned referring to him being strapped as well.
“Always sir.”
I exited the vehicle and took the path. Old Man Nelson was overlooked but been in business for years. It was shock to a nigga that he hadn’t been ran off yet. Dris looked up to him so I trusted her words that he could cook something up for me.
Entering his shop, you got nothing but a dimly lit space with all types of herbs and concoctions lined against the walls. Vines hung over the shelves from the plants that sat at the top. His set up was everything you would expect it to be after hearing the rumors I had for so long. I never stepped foot in here when I was younger only because I thought I was going to turn into a frog or some shit. I was all man now with heart. He didn’t scare me no more.
He stepped from behind his curtain and his age was definitely showing. His long hair had turned completely white and so did his beard. His eyes were just as bright, and he carried that same expression of nonchalance he’d always had. As if he needed anything else to solidify the rumors, he wore a long purple cloak that drug the floor.
“The only time you come around is if Adrisdia is involved. What you doing in here, Snoh?”
I offered a small smile as I approached his counter. “And here I was thinking you forgot all about me, Old Man. I just came to see you and check in on you.”
“What do you need, son? I can’t bring the dead to the living, and I can’t bring fortune,” he said already throwing out his boundaries. I wanted to chuckle and shrug it off but quickly realized he was dead ass. Whatever my reason for coming needed to be said.
“Reciprocation or the truth. I’m chasing a woman, and she plays as if she isn’t interested. I know… Ifeelotherwise. I need something to unveil her lies or at least return the energy given.”
Without saying another word, he disappeared behind the curtain. Old Man Nelson didn’t give you room to joke. He was about his business and if you stepped into his shop, you better come prepared to spend some bread. Dris got her hustle spirit from him fa sho’. When he returned, there was a long vial with a red liquid substance occupying it.
“This is Avow. You both have to consume it in order to be connected. Once taken, it only lasts for forty-eight hours. Any questions asked, she’ll answer truthfully. The woman you’re stalking, you won’t know everything about her, but she will speak on her raw emotions for you. This is violating her privacy, Snoh. I always thought you were better than that.”
“Than what, Old Man?” I was lowkey offended by his comment.
“Desperation. That’s costing you $800. Cash, no card.”
I dug in my pocket, fishing for my wallet. I removed it and pulled out eight crisp blues, handing them over to the old man. We made an even exchange and for the first time since I entered his shop, he smiled. After inspecting the bills, he released a low laugh.
“You’re tickled. Can I ask from what?”
“Fools always make me laugh.”
“Say what now?” My face was slowly but surely balling itself up.
“Only a fool chases rejection. It was good seeing you again, Snoh.” For the umpteenth time, he vanished behind his curtain, not caring to utter another word my way.
Looking down at the bottle left on the counter, a series of second thoughts flooded a nigga mind. This was the second time the word desperation had been thrown my way. I wasn’tdelusional and I wasn’t fuckin’ desperate. A nigga was solely acting on emotion. I was in love with a woman who knew me like the back of her fuckin’ hand. What the fuck was so wrong with that? I just needed to make sure this shit wasn’t one sided.
I snatched up the potion and placed it in my blazer pocket before walking out. Moments later Thomas had me secured in the back seat and we were headed back to the job. This was the only way to go about this shit. London wasn’t going to tell me the truth if it wasn’t forced. I wholeheartedly believed she would string me along and allow me to get so close that it killed me. And still, she’d deny loving me back.
“Aye Thomas, take me to the crib. I’m done for the day.”
“Are you sure? Is Ms. Geter no longer needed either?” he inquired.
“Take her the car. We’re having dinner later anyway, so she’ll need to meet me there. I’ll text her and let her know what’s going on.” As if she could sense what was happening, my cell rang with her face lighting up the screen. Smirking, I answered with, “Yes beautiful?”
“Where are you, Snoh?”
“On the way home. Thomas is returning with the car. I’ll see you tonight at Valley Steakhouse. Seven aight with you?”
“Snoh.”
“Let me know if we need to raincheck or not, beautiful. I’m tied up right now,” I lied.
The truth was I was in my head about every interaction between us thus far. I was recalling every physical connection, every glance given, every word spoken between us, and more. I had to dissect everything before following through with this shit.
“Valley Steakhouse at seven, I got it. And Snoh…”
