“I don’t think that’s really vanilla, or actual real ice cream,” I told her hesitantly as she stopped licking to look at it before licking her lips.
“It’s good though. When you come up on a McDonalds, and they ice cream machine is working, you don’t ask no questions chile. You just throw them yo money, and get your cone.”
“Aye lil shawty?!” Someone yelled, rolling up beside us on the curb as the window came all the down to reveal this brown skinned man wearing glasses and a torn beater. Music was blasting, and the stench of weed was apparent when he smiled at the two of us. “What y’all waiting on? Need a ride, an Uber?”
“Nigga, you need a clue? A life? Get the fuck on,” Tallulah spat. “We’re not interested.”
“Ole ugleh ass bitch,” he muttered, snatching the window up before speeding off just to get into the drive-thru line. I smiled before properly sitting down on the bench next to Ronald McDonald. She continued to lick her cone while I looked at the busy intersection up ahead.
“What are we doing tonight anyway?” I asked.
“You ask too many questions girl,” she answered, looking at me before pointing. “There she go! You see the Taurus?!”
I stood up with my things, watching the Ford Taurus make a U-turn before turning into the parking lot of McDonald's as I smiled like I was meeting up with old friends for the night once more. Indigo rolled her window down, revealing the thick snow-white hair that was out in a fro. Down to the roots with a silver headband around her head like a princess. She smiled, dark brown eyes slanted, shaping her naturally pretty face as she unlocked the doors.
“The night is young!” Tallulah yelled, walking around to the passenger side. “Night is young! Spirits are free! Energy is high! It's the witches hour! It’s the time of the Skye!”
“Can you just get in the dang car?” Indigo let out as I slumped into the back seat of the car, feeling the cold air like a sharp slap against my skin before slamming the door shut. She had multiple dream catchers hanging down from her rearview mirror in different colors and materials. I started to ask Indigo where we were going, but decided it was best to just go with the flow. As long as I wasn’t with Percy or anywhere around that situation, I was fine.
“The night is young!” Tallulah yelled again. “Say it with me Indie! Come on! You know the chant Auntie and em used to scream all the damn time at the drum circle. Say it with me!”
“I’m not---.”
“The night is young!” She barged out with a raised fist in the air as I laughed.
“Tallulah, I’m not screaming in my own car----.”
“The night is young! Spirits are free! Come on, say it. You don’t feel it?”
“I’m not---.”
“The NIGHT IS YOUNG!” She yelled louder as I laughed. Lu looked back at me with a wink.
“I love getting on her nerves. Been doing it since they found me in the woods,” she said before shaking Indigo’s shoulder. “The night is young!”
“Spirits are free,” Indigo added in a low voice.
“Energy is high?!”
“It’s the witches hour!” I yelled as Lu looked back with excitement.
“There you go sus! It’s the witches' hour!”
“It’s the time of the Skye!” We all sang together before turning down into a neighborhood.
I watched Tallulah annoyingly pick at Indigo’s ear with her pointer finger as I thought back to what she said.
“Found you in the woods?” I questioned. She looked back with a tilted head to the side.
“I never told you?” She asked. “I was adopted. My daddy found me in the forest one day, just laying there crying. Right in the thick of Francis Marion. I was covered in mud, sticks, and grass. Something told him to walk through the woods that one cold morning, and he came across me wrapped in a blanket.”
“Oh my God,” I let out.
“I remember how I got there, and why I was put there in the first place. I came from a reservation and was left there when he came, and got me. Said a voice told him to go to the woods, and find something that will change his life. Something that belonged to him. He’d been praying, and praying to God, asking him to bring him a woman who will have his child until he realized he was the one who couldn’t have any. So instead of continuing with God who clearly said, it’s not in the cards for you to raise a child, he turned to magic,” she smiled as I listened closely. “He went to his brothers, and asked how could he have children like them? They told him, he needed to head to the crossroads, and make an offering. So he goes with a few coins, a bottle of liquor, and something balled up in a napkin that till this day, he won’t tell me what it was. He makes his offering and asks the spirits to please grant him a child of his own. Someone he can love, and raise, and continue his lineage. A healthy baby is all he asked for.”
“And then you came in?” I asked as she shook her head.
“Not quite. When he asked for it, you have to give something in return. He came up short. Spirits didn’t want just coins, or whatever was in that napkin. They were particular that night because what he was asking for was a life. Soooo,” she sang with a cluck of her lips. “He gave up the option to fall in love, and get married. He had such bad luck with women anyway, he didn’t think it was a hard choice after how they did him. In return, he woke up in the middle of the night hearing the sounds of a baby crying, like she was just born, and brought into this world. Years go by and he’s having this same dream of babies crying, laughing, spitting and gurgling. All he hears until the words Dada woke him up in a cold sweat. A voice told him to go and get your daughter now before she dies.”
Indigo looked at her sideways as Tallulah waved her off.
“I’m adding dramatics for the story, but that’s how Daddy tells it so don’t start Indie.”
“I didn’t say anything,” she laughed. “Uncle found you, and went through hell and back to keep you.”
“How old were you?” I asked.
“We suspect I was three… Nobody really knows who I am, my true age, or---.”
“She was three, Jasmine,” Indigo came in. Logical tone apparent. “She was three.”
Tallulah waved Indigo off like she couldn’t be bothered with her, and turned to face the front.
“That’s my ol’ man though,” she smiled proudly. “I would give up everything for him. My best friend, my secret keeper, my everything. So when I have children? My son will be named after him to start his lineage I can’t keep by blood. Nigga crazy sometimes though,” she laughed. “But that’s probably where I get it from.”
“Do you remember anything about your life before him? Your birth parents?” I asked as she shrugged.
“Who cares?” I was quiet for a second, regretting even asking the question until she spoke again. “The name that was given to me at birth was Niabi so he named me Tallulah Niabi Raven Skye. I said Daddy, you just threw names together thinking it was gonna work, ain’t it?” She laughed as I smiled. “But guess whet? My nigga yells all four names when I’m giving him that good---.”
“Stop it,” Indigo said as Tallulah threw her head back in laughter.
“He probably don’t know what to think right now. Girl he probably losing his damn mind tryna call my phone. Bet one of them scamming ass niggas stole it, and answered it,” sucking her teeth. “Hope they did too. I know Trav finna act a fool. Probably doing 100 on the highway now. Nah nigguh! You don’t get to be upset! We broke up! Remember?! I do me! You do youuuu!” She clapped suddenly before sitting back in the seat with a solemn expression. “Do you. That’s what you told me.”
“Mmm hmmm.”
The evening was officially in as the sun slowly began to highlight the sky in bright colors from purple to pink. The trees laid over the street like a colorful autumn themed ceiling as people walked down the sidewalk. Kids dashed across the street and elders sat on their front porches, and steps. Grown men hung around the cars smoking, and l could have sworn, it felt like all eyes followed
our car as we drove. Pressing forward. Tallulah was twirling the end of her braid while Indigo’s fingers tapped lightly on the wheel, I pressed my forehead against the window like a kid, looking at the active, and lively neighborhood. Wasn’t used to seeing houses this small for one, and couldn’t imagine how anyone could live in them, but to see people out, and about, talking to one another, neighbor to neighbor, dogs to stray cats sliding underneath the cars being slick, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in a different world. Despite being in Atlanta all my life.
“Where are we going?” I asked as Lu looked back at me with her intense dark brown eyes.
“We’re about to open up in a few minutes for shop,” she said, pointing forward. I looked at the row of cars lined up with people standing around, waiting. All leading up to a small two-story yellow house with a large porch in the front. “I didn’t want you by yourself tonight or forced to be in Nasia’s face… Oooo boi when I come cross’ that girl next time---.”
“How am I supposed to park if they have all the damn spots?” Indigo let out, annoyed before she drove further down to park. “I don’t have that many clients, just helping around until it's time for me to go.”
“Clients?” I let out.
“I told you I was a medium,” Lu said, getting out. “It’s the witches' hour! Time of the Skye!”
“And all----,” opening the door. “All of these people are here for you?”
“Well, it's a family business but some signed up with me so yeah. Saturday nights, we work until a little after midnight. Easier to get spirits attention when it's on their time,” she said, linking arms with me. “Come on, bring your bag. We’re spending the night here.”
What I thought was just…. I wasn’t sure what I thought they meant. Maybe I didn’t take them as seriously as I should have when she said she was a medium, and Indigo was a dream catcher? The more I thought about it, the more questions I had but we were able to walk up alongside the house, turn into the yard with people waiting on the curb, anxious to get in.
“Y’all not open yet?! I’ve been out here for almost an hour!” Someone yelled.
“I need to use the bathroom!”
“We’re almost ready! Please remember there are people with appointments! All walk-ins must sign in!” Tallulah yelled as we stepped onto the porch. “Oooo chile it's gonna be a full house tonight. Jasmine, you’re gonna have to learn quick, and stay on your toes. My family is a lil crazy. Don’t mention Nasia’s name. Won’t be long before they realize she cheated,” she whispered in a low voice as Indigo knocked on the door. Holding the screen door back, I looked behind me, seeing the growing line of people coming close to the yard. The house itself looked unstable and the yellow paint looked dried and chipped in some spots.
The door suddenly swung open as my mouth dropped at the chaos inside. A short, petite little woman with a headwrap, and decorated septum jewelry that looped to both ears.
“So many people tonight, can you believe it?” She beamed, ushering us to come in as Lu grabbed my arm. I looked at the group in the kitchen from tall towering black men shirtless wearing basketball shorts and white socks trying to smoke or grab a plate to eat to the girls that rushed up the stairs in laughter. Entire wall in the dining room was filled with turquoise colored cabinets and shelves that held jars of powder, herbs, and trinkets. Large guestbook sat on the table with a laptop as a woman with her eyes hard on me began to silently count. Licking her thumb every other second as she laid out the cash.
“Who is she?” The woman asked.
“Caroline, this is Jasmine. She’s going to be helping me tonight---.”
“That’s not fair!” Another girl complained, coming down the stairs with a sew in half way out of her head. “Why does Lu get help, and the rest of us---!”
“You can bring yo own help in, but I need help with my clients!”
“Can you read, and write?” The woman counting the money asked sarcastically, but I just nodded dumbly. “And speak?”
“I can speak,” clearing my throat. “I graduated from Spelman so---.”
“Ohhhh! Heeeeeeey! Me too!” The pretty dark skinned girl squealed, already reaching out for a hug. “My name is Siren Skye. That’s my cranky big sister Caroline. Trinity is----.”
“Aye who stole my fucking lighter?!” A light skinned girl yelled, clamoring down the stairs with heavy feet as her brown thick curls bounced behind her. “Nigga I know y'all not smoking my stash!”
“That’s Trinity,” Siren said, linking arms with me. “Omni answered the door, but she’s not important----.”
“I’m the most important person here thank you!” Omni yelled, adjusting her headwrap. “Who is she Lu?”
“My best friend----.”
“The boys,” Siren said, pointing towards the men in the kitchen hovering over foils of food trying to fix a plate. Moment I saw Homer turn around, wearing nothing but grey sweats, and a silver chain around his neck, I nearly fainted at the sight of his body. Nasia was a pure fool. Percy over this? His eyes grew wide, looking at me in mid lick of his finger before he smiled.
“I knew they would get a hold of you,” he said. “Hey, Jasmine.”
“Hey,” clearing my throat, trying to avoid looking at his body but Siren’s eyes shifted curiously between us.
“Mmmmm, interesting----.”
“I know her from Nasia, calm down,” Homer said as she rolled her eyes.
“And yet the sudden sexual tension between you two can be cut with a knife,” she said as I nearly choked on air, coughing so hard when she dragged me out to the backyard of the house. Seeing tables were set up with chairs as a group of men sat around playing cards. One, in particular, looked at me with a thick goatee, long dreads that trickled down to his waist as he stood up with a grin. Dark brown eyes reading me like a book, something about his face looked familiar until he held his hand out.
“Don’t let none of these lil niggas here talk to you like they on yo level. Save that spot for me, I’m that lil nigga.” He joked as I laughed. “Fowler Skye.
“Jasmine,” I said, taking his hand as my breath nearly escaped me when I touched it.
“And also, don’t,” breaking our hold apart as Siren looked at me. “Fall or listen to anything he says. Men in my family, like him, have the ability to undress you without touching you. Trust me, you don’t want those kinds of problems.”
“I wasn’t even gonna do that to her----.”
“Delilah will skin you alive if you even came close to this woman so stop it,” she snapped before looking at me. “One of her younger brothers. Come on.”
“Siren?! Let’s go! We’re opening!”
Everything suddenly picked up as I was moved from one spot to the next. Having one sister tell me how to sign people in. The one they called Trinity had on a sports bra and sweats as she raised her arms in the air, walking towards the living room that grew darker the further she went in before she dropped her hands. As if it was on some magical cue, a coat of shade and darkness closed behind her while another sister dashed upstairs.
“Know where everyone is,” Caroline said, showing me a map of the house. What I thought was small turned out to be several different rooms that seemed impossible to fit in. “Never send anyone here. Always ask if you’re not sure. You send the client to the wrong person, it can be life-changing if we don’t catch on to it so do your job.”
“I didn’t realize this was my job---.”
“Neither did I, but here you are. We don’t take cards or PayPal. Cash or cash app only. Nothing else.”
“Don’t let anybody up unless they paid upfront. Anybody have a problem with it, you ask for me and me only.”
“Also,” another sister said on the other side of me. “Have them wash their hands when they see me. Please inform them that they need to be clean if I’m going to be doing anybody’s examinations, and---.”
“Wait what?” I let out. “What do you need to do---.”
“Too many questio
ns,” another said.
“Aye, new girl! Bring me a thing of water when I call for it----.”
“Sorry I’m late!” Another voice came through as the door opened and closed. Showing this tall, extremely tall brown skinned woman wearing a leather unitard with thigh-high leather boots, and gloves, holding a duffle bag and a cardigan sweater to cover herself. She was bone thin, model size with a long neck, and small fro but ruby red lips, and dark makeup as she smiled.
“Where’s my room?” She asked.
“That would be Danielle, also known as,” pointing to the paper before me. “Countess Luxe Noire.”
“Is this the new girl you guys finally hired?” Danielle asked. “I’m going to need you to run to the store in case I run out of condoms. Also,” dropping her bags down at my feet. “I need my strap ons boiled, and cleaned.”
Okay… I think? After that? Everything else became a blur. The doors opened to the house, and the festivities began. Indigo sat quietly to herself, thankfully helping me out as far as who was who, and who went where. People from all over came in, telling their problems to me as I quickly printed out more nondisclosure and waiver forms for everyone to sign, and keep on file. Don’t even know where my duffle bag was. Hardly had time to speak to Homer who had a few clients of his own.
“How can I help you tonight?” I asked for the umpteenth time as a heavy set woman sat in front of me with a hard sigh. Holding her purse close to her body, she flipped her red bangs from her face and tried to think.
“So I don’t know if I wanna say it out loud, but I got this rash….” She leaned in close as I naturally tried to scoot back in my chair. “Down there,” she muttered, brows raised as she looked down between her legs. “You know? Down there---.”
“I know,” cutting her off. “You’re looking for what?”
“A natural way to get rid of it,” she said as my mind went to the Omni sister. I looked at my notebook of notes, and scribbles, seeing who she had currently before nodding. I was getting the hang of this. I handed her two sheets of paper after taking her payment for the consultation and had her read over the contract before she signed.
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