Stories of the 50's

" His steely eyes bore into mine, fear hiding behind his strong front. I knew he was scared and anxious. I heard rumors of his incoming visit but never received a call to attain permission. He was eager, it made the air in the shop stuffy even with both of my windows open. His body was eerily still, mimicking mine, but i was far from being as stiff as he was. I also saw the slight shiver that raced down his spine whenever the grandfather clock made more noise than necessary. After an hour of silence and being frozen, I finally moved. Franklin D. Roosevelt flinched away as if i had taken a jab at him. Picking up my cup of steaming tea, I blew at the contents before raising it closer to my lips and taking a slow sip. Franklin was not afraid of me, rather he was afraid of the future and my abilities. Vodoun magic was seen as fake fortune telling or sinful sorcery. The colour of my skin did not matter.

You fear for the sake of the nation, its future and present. Would you care to see the possibilities?

He was hesitant, I am the president of the United States, of course i care for the nation.

Ha. I had offended him. His eyebrows creased and the many wrinkles in his face crinkled unattractively. Seriousness was a demon that sat heavily on his back, weighing his spine down, making it harder to breathe. A sewing needle could destroy him easily.

No need to be so uptight Mr. President, after all you are the one who came to me uninvited.

My sass surprised him, momentarily taken aback, he held a long gaze with me before he too picked up his cup of chamomile tea. He sipped before he spoke but did not blow it, causing him to scoff as the hot liquid burned his mouth. Abruptly putting the cup down, his lips puckered in an irritated expression. A few silent moments after his embarrassment, Franklin spoke again. I came to you to know how to handle the war. America is a land for the free but this war will be messy.

Looking at him I raised a brow, I cannot fix this nation. I cannot tell you what to do either. I can simply tell you what the possible futures are.

He snorted rudely and his mouth curved into a harsh frown. What lies are these? I was told that you could provide me with magic and answers. If you seek payment then I need to see the product.

He seemed rather unsure of himself even with his assertiveness. Underneath the confidence and demand was vulnerability and fear. Fear was a snake that certainly coiled itself around his throat. Luckily for him, I was forgiving and patient. One had to be if they wanted to keep their head on their shoulders. I was told that all men were created equal and yet I can't sit next to a white man on the bus. This shut him up real quick. His face was stoic and his Adam's apple bobbed. A threw a small smile his way and got up, leading him to my cauldron. Franklin was dashing and I was young. I could feel his eyes on my bodacious-- "

"Alright Grandmama, that's enough. I am your grandson remember?" I chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. My fingers brushed the ghost of the soft thick curls. I still smelt like the barber shop, my shaven sides and back of my head shorter than the top which overflowed with my unruly curls. It was the new hairstyle. My tight afro was childish my parents said, Grandmama bluntly stated that I looked dumb and my reasoning for change was stupid but she still loved me nonetheless. Standing up, I picked up the mostly empty food tray and stretched. "I should probably go. I have work and I still need to finish my homework." Bending down to kiss the corner of her mouth, I exited her bedroom, entering the kitchen to wash the dishes before bidding adieu to Nurse Jacqueline. Grandmama had her home nurse but often had to take trips to the hospital due to accidents. Most recently, she left the house while the Nurse had been cleaning the bathroom and tried walking to the promenade. My parents worried that she lived too close to the Bay but Grandmama told me she loved living by the water, it reminded her of New Orleans, her home.